Celebrating a Decade of Curves: District of Curves 10th Anniversary Fashion Showcase

The District of Curves celebrated its milestone 10th anniversary with a dazzling two-day Fashion Showcase, cementing its place as a staple in the fashion community. Held on July 19-20th, this event was a vibrant celebration of body positivity, fashion innovation, and community spirit.

Day One: Lingerie and Swimwear Extravaganza

The first day was all about embracing the "grown and sexy" with a stunning lingerie and swimwear show. Nikki Lee, the charismatic host of The Good Shit Show on WMRR Radio and a former plus-size model from Atlanta, set the stage for an evening of empowerment and elegance. The audience was treated to an array of breathtaking designs that celebrated all body types, showcasing the bold and the beautiful in equal measure.

Brands like Unleashed Underneath, Livi Rae Lingerie, Madam Ravish, King Him, and Kelly's Kloset graced the runway with their unique and empowering collections. Models strutted down the runway in a captivating display of confidence and style, each piece telling a unique story of self-love and empowerment. The atmosphere was electric, with cheers and applause echoing through the venue as each model made their entrance. This wasn’t just a fashion show; it was a celebration of every individual's beauty and strength.

Day Two: A Fusion of Fashion

The second day brought a diverse mix of designers and boutiques, presenting everything from chic daywear to avant-garde couture. Hosted by the dynamic Lady T, Co-Host at BMORE Lifestyle, Assignment Editor at WBFF FOX 45, and Host of the "Am I On Speaker" Podcast, the event showcased the incredible range of fashion talent.

Brands such as City Chic, Winston Box, Real Divas Are Large, NVADE, Lace Kouture Boutique, Livi Rae Lingerie (showcasing again), Full Figured State University, Tru Diva Designs, J-Bri Designs, Roots of Fatima, T-West Collection, King Me, and Couture Queen closed out the show, each presenting their distinct styles and creativity. The runway transformed from casual elegance to high-fashion glamour, with each collection pushing boundaries and redefining fashion norms. The audience marveled at the intricate designs, vibrant colors, and innovative fabrics that graced the runway.

The seamless coordination of the models was orchestrated by the talented Jeannie Ferguson-Goodlow, ensuring that every model was ready to hit the stage with confidence and grace. Backstage operations were flawlessly managed by Doretta Johns, who has been the backbone of the event since its inception, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes. Monica Day, Mickey Leon's right hand from the beginning, was pivotal in the event’s ongoing success, providing unwavering support and expertise.

Red Carpet Magic

Adding an extra layer of glamour and excitement to the event was the red carpet experience, masterfully hosted by the vivacious Tawana Blassingame. From the moment guests arrived, Tawana's charismatic presence set the tone for the evening, making everyone feel like a star. Her engaging interviews and infectious energy created a buzz that perfectly complemented the celebratory atmosphere.

Attendees strutted down the red carpet in their finest attire, pausing for photographs and interviews that highlighted their personal style and connection to the event. The red carpet was a showcase in itself, featuring a dazzling array of fashion, from chic evening gowns to trendy streetwear, reflecting the diverse and inclusive spirit of District of Curves.

A Decade of Impact

In the lead-up to the grand event, District of Curves embarked on a media tour, making appearances on popular shows such as BMORE Lifestyle, Living Local DMV, and Great Day Washington. These appearances generated significant buzz and anticipation, highlighting the event's importance and drawing attention to the cause of body positivity and inclusivity in fashion.

Executive Producer Mickey Leon reflected on the journey of District of Curves, expressing awe at how the event has grown over the past decade. "When we started District of Curves, we had no idea it would become such a staple in the community," he said. This sentiment was echoed by Associate Producer Gabriella Simone, who recently joined the team and has been instrumental in driving the event forward. Her fresh perspective and relentless drive have added new dimensions to the showcase, ensuring its continued success and relevance.

The 10th anniversary of District of Curves was not just a celebration of fashion, but a celebration of community, inclusivity, and empowerment. It highlighted the importance of representation in the fashion industry and provided a platform for plus-size fashion to shine. As the curtains closed on this year's showcase, it was clear that District of Curves had left an indelible mark on everyone in attendance.

Here's to another decade of curves, creativity, and community!

A Close-Up With The Executive Producer,

Mickey Leon

QSM: Congratulations on the 10th anniversary of District of Curves! Looking back, what inspired you to start this event a decade ago?

Mickey: In 2013 I began shooting my plus size coffee table book, The Curves Ahead Project. While shooting, I met many plus size women from the DMV area who, at some point in their lives, dreamed of becoming a model. Many of them were considered too big, too short, too busty, etc. I also noticed that there were no exclusively plus size centered fashion shows directly in the DMV area. I decided to start District Of Curves to fill that gap and provide opportunities for plus size women and businesses that cater to the plus industry.

QSM: You mentioned you had no idea District of Curves would become such a staple in the community. What do you think has contributed most to its success and longevity?

Mickey: I believe consistency and dedication has contributed to the success and longevity. One key component to success is showing up every day, even when you don’t want to. To put on an event such as this, you have to show up. There are long days, ups, downs, obstacles, and more. You have to show up in spite of those things. Another factor is having had amazing teams over the years. District of Curves is not just me, it’s a team of dedicated people. That team has evolved over the years but the one thing that has remained the same is the dedication of those who choose to work with DOC.

QSM: Can you share some of the challenges you faced in the early years of District of Curves and how you overcame them?

Mickey: In the early years a big challenge I faced was being a man in a female dominated industry. Gaining trust was a difficult task. Being a newcomer in an established space can be a challenge. Ensuring industry leaders that you are there to support rather than compete can be difficult. We also faced challenges with obtaining sponsors.

QSM: Speaking of challenges; a lot of brands struggled to come back to life after the global pandemic. How were you able to come back from that?

Mickey: I’ve been producing events for years. So for me, I never saw the time after the pandemic as a struggle. People want to be outside. That never changed even with the pandemic. If you create a quality event and promote that event, people will show up. We produce a quality event, and we pay attention to what our patrons say they want to see on the runway. That is how we were able to come back. We stuck to what we know, and it has paid off.

QSM: How has the perception and inclusion of plus-size fashion evolved since you started District of Curves?

Mickey: The industry has gone through some major ups and downs over the past 10 years. As we saw during DOC, there are many more plus size offerings now. This year we had an entire show dedicated to plus size lingerie. 10 years ago, it was much harder to find plus size lingerie. Not that it wasn’t out there, it was not as easy to find. Now, there are so many different brands that cater to plus. We saw a boost in plus size acceptance and inclusion during the pandemic. Now, as expected, that sentiment is changing.

My feelings have remained the same. When someone doesn’t want you to sit at their table, you make your own table and fill it with the people YOU want. Eventually, those who did not want you at their table, will take note of what you built and either try to sit with you or they will try to compete with you. Either way, your impact WILL be felt if you remain dedicated and consistent.

QSM: This year's showcase featured a fantastic lineup of brands and designers. How do you go about selecting who will participate in the event?

Mickey: Our Fashion Director Doretta Johns (Couture Queen) makes the selections. She has her own process. I communicate what I would like to see each season and she does the rest. She understands the quality we want to see on the runway. Her process is unique, and it works!

QSM: Gabriella Symone, aka Gabby, recently joined your team and has been described as a powerhouse. How has her involvement impacted the event and its direction?

Mickey: Working with Gabriella has been amazing. She brought a new perspective to the show. As someone who was not previously involved in the plus industry in the DMV area, she was able to bring the perspective of someone just discovering the industry. She had an idea of what she would like to do and see if she had an opportunity to create an experience for a plus size clientele. So, I gave her the opportunity to do exactly that. She has directly contributed to the growth of the show over the past two years. Other plus size women see her and immediately connect with her and her story. I’m thankful to have her on the team.

QSM: What was your favorite moment from this year’s two-day Fashion Showcase, and why did it stand out to you?

Mickey: I had a couple of favorite moments. The Lingerie show was a favorite moment because it highlighted how far we have come as an industry. more offerings in that area AND more men and women embracing their bodies with such confidence!

My other favorite moment was looking around and seeing so many new faces both in the audience and on the stage. Our audience changes over time. Many groups that were considered a part of the plus industry in the DMV area pre-covid, have not come out to our show over the past two years. Our sold-out audience was full of new faces. It’s great to look out and see those faces. It’s great to get messages from those people, thanking us for providing a space such as this. Those are the things that keep me going.

QSM: As you look to the future, what are your hopes and plans for the next decade of District of Curves? Are there any new initiatives or expansions on the horizon?

Mickey: I see the brand growing beyond fashion shows. Fashion shows are fun events. One of the places for the community to connect. However, the glue that holds it all together is the community. So I see the DOC brand expanding more into the community aspect of things. Creating more opportunities for people to connect, network, build, and grow their own networks and goals.

We recently launched our DOC Next Top Model Competition, which allows us to work more closely with models and helps us to play a part in the development of their career. We are excited to work with our very first winner, Liesl Michelle!

We are partnering with The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City to produce their Fall Preview fashion show on Sept 21, 2024. We are also going to partner with DMV newcomers such as The Ms. Full Figured National Capital Region Pageant (a division of Ms. Full Figured USA) and The Swim and Fashion Week Xperience as well. District Of Curves is dedicated to being a staple in the plus industry for years to come.

To stay connected with District of Curves, follow them on Instagram @districtofcurves or Facebook at District Of Curves Networking Group

Check out some of our favorite looks from the runway.

City Chic