At the close of New York Fashion Week something is very obvious. While fashion has become “more inclusive” at the highest level with a few plus sized bloggers sprinkled in the mix at the cool fashion shows and one or two perfectly proportioned size 18 models slaying the catwalk, it is still not ok to be fat. A recent Glamour…
In the morning I was moving into a lovely 800 sq. ft two bedroom apartment in Queens, by the afternoon I was homeless, sobbing on a friends couch surrounded by all my belongings. This is New York. I woke up in the morning excited, packed and ready to go. Rent, broker and deposit paid. Lease signed. Couch ordered. Friends coming…
Swimsuit season can trigger panic even in the most generally relaxed and confident woman. Being semi-naked in front of others can be intimidating. I grew up in the Caribbean, so water based activities abounded. Based on the subtle disapproving looks from adults whenever I put on a bathing suit, overhearing my parents complain to others about how fat I was and listening…
I found Hotel 17 on Air BNB. I chose this spot for my extended stay in NYC because it is located on 17th, between 2nd and 3rd avenue opposite the historic Stuyvesant Park in Manhattan, a 10 minute walk from Union Square and it’s affordable pricing. It is the definition of an old school New York Hotel. Small dorm-like rooms,…
This post is in partnership with Macy’s City Chic Collection. I want to share a story with you about value. I met a man recently who was telling me about his business. The technology they developed was far superior to that what which was offered on the market. They decided to sell it to companies for $1,000 per month to…
When I left Trinidad in September 2018 I decided that I wanted to be a fit model. I love fashion and design, I wanted to learn about fit and serve as a human mannequin working with designers. I like fit modelling because you can do it forever once your body is consistent. My plan was to get to Manhattan and…
With the implosion of the Me Too Movement (which is of course so important) I recently realized something. Men are also hurting. I am not condoning any sort of behavior from men that makes women feel uncomfortable but I also think it is important to consider the underlying problem which is societal attitudes towards consent and cultural indoctrination of what…
“Fat girls are only good to F*ck.” Cautionary advice given to me by my uncle when I was 12 years old. “You had better lose weight. Nobody marries fat girls.” This ingrained three terrible falsehoods into my under-developed belief system: 1. The only time a woman has value is if a man wants to marry her or finds her visually/…
I met my new neighbors, plus sized fashion designers Tamara and Sher Malas at this place in the East Village called D.B.A. that says yes to dogs and no to children. “No Bud, no Miller, no Stella, no Blue Moon, no Corona, no B*llsh%t* Amazing. Tamara and I bonded in what I know will one day become an iconic moment…
There were a lot of fashion firsts for me in terms of the looks I wore this weekend to the CURVYcon thanks to Maree Pour Toi. I was hesitant when Melanie the stylist started pulling button down blouses and strapless rompers for me to try on because, well, plain talk, bad manners I have big boobs. Shockingly, her selections expanded…