

CurvyNoire Lets It Be Known God Makes No Mistake When He Creates Black Curvy Women
America has such a love-hate relationship with Black women, especially those of us with larger curves. One minute mocking, next minute on the surgery table imitating. One season it's trendy to be runway thin, the next minute being voluptuous is considered desirable. But here is the thing, being a curvy black woman is not a trend, it is a reality that so many of us live in a world where we are told we are beautiful and sexy despite of our weight, instead of because of it. CurvyNoire created an intersection where high fashion and plus-sized Black women could meet, set the runway on fire, all while having important conversations.
The event that took place during New York Fashion Week. And from start to finish, it was exemplary of the class, poise, and the divinity that plus-sized women ooze so effortlessly. Helmed by powerhouse blogger, entrepreneur, mother, and cancer warrior Maui Bigelow in partnership with MadameNoire, the collaboration blossomed to give the Big Apple something to talk about...or to be speechless about.
Highly sought after plus-size brands and designers like Rebdolls, Kenya Mollie, and Livirae Lingerie adorned the flawless forms of plus-size models and influencers such as Nzinga Imani and MsKristine, with industry veterans like Essie Golden nodding in agreeance that these women were killing it. Based off of Maui's vision of the event, the second the first model came strutting her stuff, the event was a success. The writer shares with xoNecole:
"It is important to me that we show the world that we are out here styling a profiling, and we deserve the same press, the same recognition, and the same love that everyone else is getting. We want everybody to take notice, we want everybody to celebrate women of color in fashion… It is time."
The respect that plus-size fashion and models deserve is long overdue which explains why the event was filled to capacity with a high vibration of love, acceptance, positivity, and creativeness, and celebration of the present moment. Patrons felt seen for who they are and were given an opportunity to take up space for once, instead of trying to fit into the confinement of straight sizes and small minds. Given Maui's track record for selling out these type of events, as she does with her lifestyle honors, her ability and desire to connect with as many people as she can on a meaningful level is what gave this event its magic touch:
"I think that I am my magic formula. A lot of times, people have these types of events, they outsource all of the work. They are not personal with their audience. They are not personal with their influencers. They are not personal with the brands, and it is time for that. A lot of times you have to take back your power and be more responsible for what you want from these events. The most important thing to me is to build strong relationships within our communities."
Each model looked distinctly different, which is so refreshing given the mainstream hour-glass standard of plus-sized beauty presented in magazines, and this was completely intentional. "Not everybody will be on the larger end of plus, and not everyone will be on the smaller end," Maui reveals. "We have models coming from all over the world. And that's exciting for me because only a select few models get that level of praise."
The discussion panel was as stimulating mentally as the models were visually due to an array of important issues within the plus-size community being raised and discussed. Black women are discriminated against in the healthcare field, even more so when considered overweight and obese. Major retailers are now extending their sizes in order to take advantage of the buying power of the plus-size community however we are mostly restricted to online shopping. Though events such as this one, alongside CurvyCon, celebrate how far plus-size fashion has come, they also tend to highlight how much further it has to go. For the time being, let's continue to promote body positivity, celebrate each other's uniqueness, and pop out!
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
Essie Golden Doesn't Give A Damn If Her Body Makes You Uncomfortable
5 Curvy Fashion Bloggers You Need To Follow ASAP
Lizzo Wants You To Stop Calling Her Brave: "I'm Just Sexy"
Featured image by MadameNoire/CurvyNoire
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Victoria Monét Opens Up About Feeling ‘Validated’ Months After VMAs Turned Her Down To Perform
Victoria Monét has had an incredible year. Thanks to the success of the widely popular “On My Mama” that went viral, the singer/ songwriter’s Jaguar II album debuted in the top 10 of Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart. She also went on to headline her own sold-out tour. So, when the MTV VMAs happened in September, everyone was surprised to learn that Victoria’s team was told that it was “too early” for the “Smoke” artist to perform at the award show. However, a couple of months later, the mom of one received seven Grammy nominations, including “Best R&B Album” and “Record Of The Year.”
Victoria is currently in London and stopped by The Dotty Show on Apple Music and shared how she feels “validated” after being dismissed by the VMAs.
“It really does feel nice and validating because, in my head, the reason why I wanted to be a performer at the VMAs or award ceremonies like that is because I felt like I am at the place where I should. I would work really hard to put on the best show that I could, and I was excited to do so,” she said.
“And I guess the best way to describe it for me is like when you're like on a sports team, and the coach is like, ‘No, you gotta sit this one out.’ When they finally put you in, and then you score all these points, and it feels like that feeling. You're like, yes, I knew it wasn't tripping, but I knew I worked hard for this, and so it's been super validating to just have these accolades come after a moment like that, and I know the fans feel vindicated for me.
While her fans called the VMAs out on their decision, the “Moment” singer kept it cute and is still open to performing at the iconic award show. “I feel no ill towards them because it's just maybe that's just truly how they felt at the time, but I hope their mind has changed,” she admitted.
Aside from recognition from the Grammys, she has also received praise from legendary artists such as Janet Jackson, Kelly Rowland, and Usher.
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Feature image by Amy Sussman/WireImage for Parkwood