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Well hello there Kurvy Kuties! This past weekend was just as relaxing as the previous week. To my surprise I was reunited with a very good friend from my 'Skegee' (TU!) days. Sometimes life moves on but you never forget those you once had a real connection with. It was such a breath of fresh air to hang with one of my dear ole gal pals and her beautiful 9 year old daughter. At times watching my friends children grow reminds me of... Sheesh! I'm getting old! I remember attending her baby shower. Where does the time go? Le sigh. Though Atlanta's weather was a bit fickle this weekend (come on ATL!), we still managed to make the best of it. Along with another beautiful gal pal (Yes, all my friends are gorgeous) we took a stroll through Centennial Olympic Park, nibbled and conversed at Hudson Grill on Marietta Street then proceeded to stay up all night giggling like little school girls. In addition I was beyond appreciative of her and her mini me assisting with taking a few photos of myself. Now, I don't know how we took all those picture without taking one together. I promise I'm not a bad friend.




Thank you Keke and Amerah 😘



Style Notes

This black New York & Co jacket was a thrifted find from my friends at Alexis Suitcase Consignment Shop. They have 3 locations around Georgia and their plus size selection is getting better each month. I always finds something. The top is a Kurvy Etiquette original. If you remember the previous post about Dine en Blanc, I wore the matching skirt. This top and skirt are both available in black. contact me by email for inquiries. My bottoms are Fashion to Figure size 2. I picked up these stretchy trousers while shopping Curvy Con in June. The boots were my favorite purchase. The stacked rugged sole and heel are one of my favorite trends from 2015. I picked them up a week ago (week ago. LOL) from Macy's. This purchase was a sale item and only set me back $29.00. Original price was set at $60.00 and I wore them all day with little fuss.

There's been plenty of talk on my end about What's Next for Kurvy Etiquette. I've been blogging about starting a clothing line for thee past 10+ year with one of my very best friends Katie-Marie Lewis-Fox. I must admit that for some time that's all it was. Simply something to keep our creative juices flowing. But in the back of my mind I always truly desired to become a designer. In 2014 I decided to get serious and apply to a prestigious school of art and design. I wasn't accepted. We'll talk about why at a later date. Still I insisted on learning the art of design. After several trips to Barnes and Noble I felt my design arsenal was fully loaded and ready for lift off. I decided to teach myself. I studied sketching and drafting techniques as well as took free Coursera classes on line for design and fashion marketing. Not being accepted was not allowed to be my excuse.

A year later and I have a work studio (my sun room but it does the trick). MY designs are actually hanging in my home. I've already had a few request to for custom made pieces. Recently, a friend visited my home and I revealed to her some of my work (No one has seen what I'm working on). Completely apprehensive about showing the world what I'm working on, I tried it on. Her expression spoke volumes. Not only did she like it but she was ready to put her order in.

Last night Diner en Blanc came to Atlanta. Not only did I attend but I was also one of the many fantastic volunteers involved in the event. It was there that I decided to wear a piece from my Fall 2015 collection. It received great reviews from men and women. The collection is classic with a few simple trendy pieces. Of course Diner en Blanc is an all white event so of course I adapted the design to fit the evening. What isn't shown is the pearl draped detailing in the back over a deep revealing v cut.

Not only did I get to wear one of my own designs but I of course enjoyed myself with my now world famous travel group Nomadness Travel Tribe, which is led by none other than  +Evita Robinson. I love the tribe and the additional support I receive from them.



So today I'm grateful for God's guidance. I ever so thankful for those who have encouraged me near and far. I'm even more grateful for those who were and still are skeptical. Everyone starts somewhere and I am glad I decided to start in 2012 and began walking into my destiny last year.   

Breian 'Kurvy Brei' Brockington

For the past two years I've spent my time blogging about beauty, fashion and self love. I've spent several afternoons dreaming about becoming a designer. This isn't anything new. I've had this same dream since college. At the time it was just something that kept my best friend Katie and I creatively sound. While in college and much of my adult life I've been the go to kitchen stylist. Even when I wasn't prompted I still chimed in with my own styling tips. Today I am overjoyed, overwhelmed, over worked but elated to announce that sample pieces for my first collection are in the works. 3 pieces of petit collection noir have been completed. My emotions are somewhat all over the place and I'm not quite sure how to feel about it all. It is pretty amazing watching a dream unfold before your eyes. A bit scary at times. But it's nothing I can't handle.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Breian S. Brockington born and raised in the south. I have always been the creative type. Journals and sketch pads from my childhood often remind me that my destiny has always been inside of me. What an honor it is to see and feel Gods light and hand upon my life. So today, it is a living dream to live out the process of being a fashion designer. Countless hours have been spent walking the platforms of Atlanta's Lenox mall, envisioning my collection hanging in Nordstrom or Macy's. Caressing swatch after swatch until the perfect cut of fabric 'spoke' to me. This moment right now has been a long road. The most grueling part has been learning to get out of my own way. So many doors have opened since I made to decision to step out of the proverbial box and go for IT.

Early work from 2015

Petit Collection Noir is a trendy adaptation of the little black dress. Today's plus size beauty is in command of her Kurves. No longer does she hide behind the color black. Now, the color black is an addition to each sultry curve she wishes to display. This collection comprises of only six pieces that are key to any woman's wardrobe. Think of it as a modern capsule collection for on trend millennial women. In 2015 shapely women have embraced their sex appeal but also understand that sexy can be delivered in various forms. PCN features very shapely lines as well as flare and clean straight lines. Transitioning from office to place will be easy and effortless.

I am beyond ecstatic to present Petit Collection Noir to the world.

 

Because I'm a believer in shopping her closet, I always look for new creative ways to rock what I already have. +Polyvore  is always in steady rotation on my phone. Whenever I feel inspired I pull out Polyvore. It's a free app that can be downloaded on IOS or Android. It's functions allow you to not only pull together out fits but if so inclined, they can be purchased on the spot. I love this feature

Everyone has that favorite shirt that hugs you just right. Maybe it's  little slimming or falls just right. Mine happen to be the pink crop I designed with a matching skater skirt. I loved this look. More importantly, I am in love with the crop top. If you are unable to tell from the pictures I'm a bit on the short side, standing at only 5'1. I'm also a member of the itty-bitty tittie committee. And this top holds the "girls" in all the right places. I get so excited when my "girls" are at their best. So I knew that this top needed more attention. I decided to Have Fun & Mix it UP.

Original Crop Top and Skirt

Lately I've been using +Polyvore for inspiration and it's also been a source to help me shop my closet. For those of you unfamiliar with shopping your closet I'll give a brief explanation. We all wake up some mornings, riffle through our closets and utter those same unfortunate words "I don't have anything to wear". Sometimes true but mostly due to not realizing the full potential of our own wardrobe. Shopping your closet merely suggest you do just that. Its key to know exactly what you have in your closet. This way when you do head to the nearest mall duplicates wont be purchased.


 

 As fashionistas it's never too early to begin shopping for Fall and Winter. Well it's give away time at Kurvy Etiquette and we're hosting a GIVEAWAY party for Designs By Tiffany J. The beautiful Tiffany specializes in knit and crochet designs. From earrings to comfy scarves, Tiffany J has all your Fall and Winter time accessories.

So I'll just say what everyone is thinking. Who the HELL answered that question in the +Oprah Winffrey  O Magazine article? Why were her narrow views given a voice? And who approved that ish? Motha Oprah?

Here's a re-post from @tamaranitai



My initial post (which most you will still read) is pretty positive but I had to address yesterday madness. When are people going to learn to mind their own business? Yes, we are all entitled to our opinions. However, if you have no relevance, expertise or actual substance to add to an issue, it's best you stay mute. Nowhere and I do mean nowhere in the Book of Beauty does it say that "if (and only if) you have a flat stomach" should you be allowed to SLAY. To whom ever decided that their sage advice was needed, I'd like you to look in the eyes of your fluffy daughter, favorite niece, little cousin or best friend and recite those exact words. Imagine the disappointing look in their eyes as they come to grips with the reality, that the very person whom is supposed to love and encourage them, is dismantling their form of beauty. Doesn't feel good does it? This is exactly what most women felt when reading your comments. Disappointed and hurt, not because of what you said but because you represent a great majority of consumers who probably share the same sentiment.



My good friend in beauty +GabriellaGlamour (and she's even more beautiful in person) is serving so much life with her crop top slay.

But OH do my Kurvy Girls bounce back! +Twitter, +Facebook, +Instagram, and a multitude of other social media sites were flooded with copious crop top wearing beauties. I couldn't have been more proud. From the smallest of the smalls to size 32+, these ladies rocked their crops. The world is definitely taking note that no longer will larger ladies be the brunt of fat jokes and shady fat shaming covered in "expert fashion advice". The jokes on you this time!



Drops Mic...



Now Back to our regularly scheduled program before I was so rudely interrupted. The VBL

Who would have thought that the visible belly line (better know as VBL) was a thing? Recently I have noticed more women; curvy and straight sized, talking about the VBL. And apparently that one 'O Magzine' staffer felt the same way. Go figure. As some of you may know, in recent months there have been several articles and discussions about the acceptance of diversity within plus sizes. Fat Girl Flow recently pinned an article about this very subject. I'll say this as plainly as possible. We need more variety Period! That really should be the end of this post. Sadly it isn't.

Like many curvy women I was raised and incessantly told how beautiful I was and that still continues to this day. I dressed and wore the clothes I felt were beautiful and complimented my shape. I never really fussed over how big my belly looked under my bathing suit or how giggly my arms were while waving good bye. All I knew and still know to be true is that I am beautiful. Never has my size gotten in the way of feeling beautiful or even determining what I will wear. If it fits and looks good on me then hey, I'm wearing it. It's such a relief that designers such as self are beginning to produce better quality plus fashion and what's even more exciting, it's sexy!

Why is my tummy such a BIG issue? No, really. Why? I'll wait...

Every woman wants to feel beautiful and sexy in the clothing she wears. For so long the curvier woman was encouraged to cover up, maybe show some cleavage, a little thigh but you dare not share that mid section. It is far past time for mainstream media to come to grips with our "over sized" midsections. The reality is most women have tummies, either from over eating, child birth, just being all out amazing at life, or simply breathing. Almost all of us have them. So why are we covering up? We're in the majority. So rock your curves. Wear that crop top. Strut in that new Bikini. It's OK let them stare.

On a lighter note, it is very refreshing to see more positive images of larger women and men in the media these days. In years past fat was always associated with lonely, lazy, funny, but definitely not fashionable. So I love seeing the SEXY images being displayed in the media today. Unfortunately, we still have work to do. I still have work to do.



Below are but a few images of beautiful women large and small displaying their beauty in all its crop top glory. Take a peak if you will.




Plus Size model @Jennifertealey (on IG) is no angel because she's Badass

I just had to let my roundness come through @Kurvyetiquette (on IG and Twitter)



Go Big or go home. @veganintheair (on IG) definitely let that staffer know how she felt.

While summer shopping this past spring and winter, I made sure to pick up a few yellow pieces to add to my summer artillery. For me summer isn't summer without a few bright pieces. Yes, some days I look like a box of Crayola's. And I'm OK with that. If you're not into the "girly" look but are willing to try something different don't be afraid to pair bright and dark colors with light colors like white or metallic. They are sure to add the wanted contrast and break up the color scheme. Knee high socks, knuckle rings and pair of platforms will definitely set you apart from the rest.

Staying on trend can get a little costly for anyone. Because size acceptance is "fairly" new, there aren't a conglomerate of company's that cater to my millennial plus size ladies. Now I don't claim to be an advocate for all curvy women but I know this is an untapped area. We've all heard of "the fat tax". If you're unaware of the term, here's the breakdown:

1. Be + Size

2. Shop trendy straight size stores

3. Pay $3 to $10 more for the same plus size garment in a larger size

Pink has just never been one of my favorite colors. Growing up my maternal aunt always (and still does) tried to convince me to wear the ultimate girliest colors: pink, fuchsia, pink. You get the picture. It just wasn't me or so I thought. These days it's becoming a staple in my wardrobe. I have more than I can count. Last week I decided that I would design a few pieces for me o wear to Full Figured Fashion Week and CURVYcon. This linen fabric had been in y stash for a while so I decided to just it off.



This florescent pink two piece was completed in two days. I love the loose fit of the fabric around the bust and waist. It's perfect for the Kurvy Kutie who wants to show a little skin but leave some for the imagination.








Outfit Notes: Top is a high low. It has a slight dip in the back. Material: Linen Size:2X
Shoes: Target. Lips bag: Dr. Jay's.