The 10 Commandments of drag (according to Sasha Renee)

Hello everyone! It's been a while. I've been busy with my work life, my music career, and so I haven't been out and about as much in the past few months. Now that things are settling now, I will have more time for more posts. I originally started this post a while ago, but there were a few things I thought about, considered, then reconsidered putting in the post. Over the past few years drag and the art of female illusion has gone quite commercial. Its evolution is quite amazing, but, just like anything, with the widespread fame and success comes the misconceptions and thought that "oh, anyone can do it." I know feel like I see drag queens everywhere! I even saw some local ads on the subway here in New York City featuring a drag queen (shout out to Tipsy Von Tart!). However with people thinking doing drag is easy, I'm here to set the record straight: I come from the old school of drag where you did it right or you didn't do it at all! Below are the 10 commandments that I go by when it comes to doing drag. I would love to hear your responses and feedback, so feel free to comment or drop me a line on facebook or hit up my Instagram page! Without further ado, I present my 10 Commandments of drag!



1. Thou shalt remain humble and kind to all! Our fans, friends, family, and supporters are a big reason for our fame/success. Be receptive to all (whether they are a veteran or newcomer). Much can be learned from many different people (you don't have to like or agree with what they say, but at least be receptive to their comments/suggestions/advice. Humility is the key (and most essential) ingredient to longevity in this industry. No one wants to work with a nasty queen no matter how fierce you are (or think you are)!









2. Thou shalt be professional and conduct themselves as such. This means being on time for shows, prepared with music (which means being in touch with the show director & DJ ahead of time), and with necessary materials (No you cannot borrow my wig, coat, belt, dress, costume,  or shoes! I busted my ass to get prepared for this gig. You should've done the same!). KNOW THE WORDS TO YOUR SONGS!

3. While this art form is a career/full-time job for some, competition (pageantry) for others, and supplementary for others, RESPECT ALL PERFORMERS AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE INDUSTRY! This means that you should know your worth and not be afraid to demand it when getting booked. I see too many queens taking $25 bookings and whatnot, which undermines others. This leads to bar owners and show directors being cheap and not wanting to pay us our worth. $25? #FOH! I pay more than that on tights, nails, and lashes (not to mention travel expenses and time!).

4. Thou shalt realize that doing charity/benefit shows is a part of the industry. Giving back to the community is a part of the job AND is an often overlooked part of longevity (show bookings are another thing. See commandment #3).

5. Thou shalt realize and respect that this is an art form that has been around for a long time and that many have come before us and paved the way. Respect your elders!



6. Thou shalt wear pads, nails, and lashes (no matter how great you think you look without them). Padding gives you that feminine shape and curves that men don't have. Nails feminize your hands and make them look smaller (there's nothing worse than saying a queen with a beat face, padded body, great outfit, and "man hands"). Lashes complete the look and, if you're on stage big lashes show. In general, when on stage, you have to go bigger than you think so that it shows on stage from afar. 

7. Thou shalt invest in quality products & practice their craft. Quality and expensive aren't always the same. I've seen some queens look a hot mess using MAC and some look flawless using drug store brands BUT that's because these queens have practiced their craft.

8. Thou shalt learn how to sew (very valuable in the drag industry).

9. Thou shalt not perform a top 40 hit unless it's in a mix (otherwise people can just turn on the radio and hear the same thing)

10. Thou shalt no go directly off the rack and to the stage (nobody wants to see you perform in something they can go to a store and buy). I'm not saying that you can't buy from retailers. Just be sure to strategically style it. Take the time to personalize/customize the piece(s) so that it displays your own swag.

Jacket by Ashley Stewart

Jacket & bra by Ashley Stewart. Pants from American Apparel. Corset homemade!

If you REALLY know me and rock with me, then you know that there is an 11th commandment (which I'm not going to post here!). 

You may agree with (some of) this post and you may not agree at all. Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments about it, so drop me a line. 

Until next time, remember, "being beautiful is not just about what you wear!"

Casting Calls: Tips for landing that gig

Hey everyone! I hope that you're all well. It is the season: casting calls are happening left and right. People need to book models for upcoming shows (especially since Spring and summer are not too far away). The brains and muscle behind Full Figured Fashion Week have been on the road doing their casting tour and just this past weekend, the creators of Curves Rock Weekend joined forces with Ashley Stewart to host a model search here in New York City (Harlem to be exact). I also know that there's going to be a Boston Curvy Fashion Week for the first time this summer. I'm also sure that there will be many local fashion shows and showcases, so there will be a need for models. Although there may be a need for models, you should be sure to put forth the best representation of yourself possible. How do you do that? Well...

Me & Jeannie Ferguson at her runway class

Liris Crosse & her guest panelists

I'm in frequent contact with some of the biggest names in the Plus/Full Figured industry, and many of them have been generous with their time, wisdom, and advice. I've asked questions (probably beyond the point of annoyance), gone to workshops and seminars, taken notes, and I've tried to apply them when possible. I've attended Liris Crosse's "Life of a Working Model Bootcamp", Jeannie Ferguson's "Walk this Way Runway Class", and have done some local events. In order to make this post as informative and helpful as possible, I contacted a few people in the industry that I admire and asked for their input. If you want to be a plus model, are going to a casting call, or are trying to get started then you need to continue reading this post. I'm about to share my knowledge along with the advice that was shared with me.

First: DO NOT ask "How do I get started" as a Plus Model? This is probably one of the worse questions to ask and I see this all the time in the comment section on Instagram and Facebook for Ashley Stewart, Monif C., Plus Model Magazine, and Full Figured Fashion Week. If you want to get started, Google it! That's a good place to start! DO NOT post in the comment section that you want to be a plus model for them and how you can get started, or asking them when they are coming to your city. If you want something in this world, you're going to have to put in the time and work and go get it!

Second: You should investigate what kind of modeling you want to do. Are you trying to get into print, fit, or runway modeling? If you do not know the difference, you should probably Google these things (then continue reading this post). They are very different and one form may cater to you more than another. Once you figure out which you want to do, you should research how to get started. I googled, wrote to people, and also read everything I could. I'm a big fan of Madeline Jones' "Modeling 101" tips in Plus Model Magazine. 

Third: Expect to spend money to get started. There is an investment of time and money to get into modeling. You'll have to do test shots, get a comp card created (or create one yourself), and you'll have to pay for hair and makeup for those shoots. DO NOT expect to get far if you are not willing to save your coins and invest in yourself. Remember, you are trying to market yourself, so your product will reflect your investment. I think that you should plan on spending money to rent a studio space, hire a photographer, hire someone for hair/makeup, and for someone to print your comp cards for you. The prices will vary, so look around and ask. It may take time for some to do this, but it's better to save over the course of time rather than trying to cut corners and get something done quickly and for cheap. If you talk to people, they may be willing to make a deal with you and agree on a reduced price.

So, if you're still with me after all of the above, let's talk about casting calls. Here are some key things to remember:

1. ARRIVE EARLY! If it's an open casting call, you should anticipate that there will be long lines. In fact, plan on arriving early in general to anything. Trust me, I've learned the hard way from arriving right on time, and in some cases late. It's not a good look and certainly not a good first impression. The worse thing about being early is that you have time to use the restroom, take a deep breath, grab a drink of water, and prep. Nothing wrong with having time to do any of that!

2. Come prepared! This means showing up with the proper materials. This means your photos (usually a full body shot and a head shot), a comp card, and any other paperwork they may require. I've heard of some people losing out on an opportunity because of a lack of adequate preparation. 

 3. Have the look that is required. Here's the general breakdown on most casting calls:

- Wear form fitting clothes (think basic black leggings with a tank or t-shirt, a bodycon dress, or skinny jeans). DO NOT wear peplum tops or anything that is flowy. The people want to see your figure and what shape they are working with. Now is not the time to be self-conscious and hide the parts of your body you have issues with.

- WEAR BODY FOUNDATION! For the love of all that is holy, ladies, please please please invest in some good body foundation. If you don't show up with SPANX or something similar, you are already behind in the race. Body foundation is not always meant to suck you in and cinch you, but rather smooth you out so your clothes don't cling and so you have a smooth silhouette. If there are rolls and whatnot here and there, it's not flattering. If you are top heavy, be sure to wear a bra that will hold you in. You CANNOT be bouncing and jiggling all over the place as you walk down the runway.  

- Wear minimal/natural makeup. DO NOT show up with a beat face for the Gods! Those who are doing the casting want to see what kind of canvas they are working with, and it's hard tell if it's all covered in makeup. 

- Wear a hairstyle that keeps hair out of your face. You can pull your hair back into a nice tight ponytail, or a nice hairstyle can be good as long as you keep the hair out of your face.

- Wear heels that you can walk in. Most people will tell you the height of the heel they want you to walk in, but as a rule of thumb, get comfortable with walking in at least 3-inch heels.

4. Practice your walk! Get comfortable walking in your heels, in your body foundation, and in the outfit you plan on wearing for the casting call. The day of the casting call should not be the first time you put everything on for the first time. 

5, Lastly, SMILE! This is often underrated and overlooked by many. When you're on the walkway it's your time to shine. You've worked hard to get to the casting call, so smile. "Mean mugging" or "serving diva" is not what people are always looking for. I've heard people say that it was refreshing to see a smile on the runway (and ironically that the lack of a smile is why a person wasn't chosen). Just don't overdo it (and for the love of God, no winking!).

There's much more I could say, but I'm sure that this information is enough to get you prepared for your upcoming casting call. I would like to give special thanks to Gwen DeVoe for allowing me to repost her tips (see below), Sharon Quinn, Tonya Giddens, and Shay Rozay for their love and support, Liris Crosse for her advice, Jeannie Ferguson for helping me on the runway, and to Madeline Jones for her amazing work with Plus Model Magazine (and her for being so lovely every time I reach out to her). I'm thankful to each of you for your time and for the kindness you continuously extend to me. 

Last year Gwen DeVoe, the founder of Full Figured Fashion Week, posted these tips. Check 'em out (note: these tips are being re-posted with the permission of Gwen DeVoe):

                                     Good luck to those of you going to casting calls. I hope you've found my post to be helpful. I wish you the best of luck and would love to hear how things go for you. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram (@sashatheglamazon), or you can email me here. Until next time y'all,  remember: "Being beautiful is not just about what year wear."

Sasha

DragTalk: 10 misconceptions about drag queens

Over the past year, I've found myself answering questions and debunking misconceptions about drag queens. Constantly answering the same questions made me realize that I should write an article/post about the misconceptions I deal with on a regular basis. I started working on the post long ago and I happened to come across an article in The Huffington Post called 10 Myths About Drag Queens by Tom Bartolomei. Tom is married to a drag performer in Ohio and has a blog called Diary of a Drag Queen's Husband. There were some points in his article that resonated with me. We were of the same mind on some topics, so I asked his permission to refer to his article in my post. I am grateful that Tom and his partner (Vivian Von Brokenhymen) were extremely supportive and said yes to my request. You'll notice that we share some of the same points, but we do not address the same 10 misconceptions. To further improve the quality of this post, I took to Facebook and I asked fellow drag queens to write me telling me what misconceptions they have to deal with on a regular basis. The response was overwhelming and I'm thankful to the 27 queens that responded (in detail) with specifics in regards to this topic.

So, what are many of the misconceptions that I (and many other drag queens) deal with?

Here goes:

Me at LIPS (NYC)

1. "Drag queens want to be women"

This is often people's belief or perception, and it is often inaccurate. I think it's that many people don't realize (or they forget) that drag is an art form and an outlet for creative expression. While there are many different styles of drag and female impersonation (yes there is a difference), very few performers want to live their lives as women. A lot of drag exaggerates and sometimes parodies what we consider to be feminine or lady-like. Most women do not wear as much makeup, big wigs, over the top outfits, nor the high heels that drag queens do. Remember that the persona that you see on stage is just that, a "persona" or "character". Sometimes that character might be an impersonation of a celebrity, but it's still a character/role they are playing. Most performers I know are quite different from their stage characters. In fact lots of performers that I know are low key and some are even rather introverted and reclusive when not in drag. They are quite content being the men that they are.

The crew during my days working at Lucky Cheng's

2.  "All drag queens are gay."
While the majority of drag queens are gay, there are some of us queens who are straight. I know a good number of drag performers who are straight. Some of them have even been on the biggest drag stages possible; some of performed on the Las Vegas Strip as cast members in shows like Kenny Kerr's "Boylesque" and the legendary Frank Marino "A Night at La Cage". One successful queen I've known for years is married and has kids! You would think that this would be unusual and hard to explain to kids, but he puts it in very simple terms: I'm an actor and it just so happens that one of the main/major roles I play requires me to be a woman. This makes sense, because drag is an art form that requires one to assume a role and at the end of the night, he washes it all off, hangs up the costumes, wigs, and undergarments, and goes home to his family. It's quite unlikely that you'll see a queen at your local supermarket or Walmart (unless we're running in to pick up some nail glue on the way to a show!).

3. Off stage, drag queens are feminine sissies/ Drag queens are "less of a man."

A Q&A panel with other drag performers at Kingsborough Community College

This is one that I quickly debunked when my drag career began to take off. When I first began, you either knew me as a male or you knew me as a drag queen. Very few people got to know both aspects of me. When I would be out as a boy at shows or with some of my gay friends, I would hear people say things like "drag queens aren't "real men." After a while it bothered me to the point where I started telling people that I did drag and the assumption then became that since I'm such a masculine male that I couldn't possibly make a good looking queen. Many drag queens have the same interests as other men: sports, music, and other things that mainstream society consider "manly". In fact, I know a few queens that are very reputable contractors, athletes, businessmen, and can easily hold their own if some homophobic bigot comes and tries to insult them. It was quite a sight to see a queen absolutely destroy this "thug" who tried to attack her because she was "weak ass excuse for a man". No, I don't condone violence, but I think an important lesson was learned: just because a man is wearing a dress, that doesn't mean he's soft, weak, or any of those other things. In fact, I think it takes MORE of a man to feel secure enough in himself (gay, straight, bi, whatever...) to put on a dress and to put himself out there in front of the public for the sake of his artform/self expression.

Showing one of my Alma maters some love

4.  "Drag queens are not educated"/" Drag Queens do not have (nor are capable of having) professional lives."/ "Drag queens can't be productive citizens of society during the day."

This misconception/myth I find to be rather ridiculous. I wonder if people who say this think the same about people who perform in the circus or the people that play Disney characters at theme parks or Disney World (many of whom are trained professional actors and dancers). Some of the best drag queens I've personally enjoyed are highly educated. Many queens I know have gone to school, acquired degrees (and not all in theater and dance), and are very productive contributors to society. Now that I think about it, I know at least a dozen queens that have master's degrees and 6 (almost 7) who have PhD's. Why is this not known information right away? Because their education is not a part of their on-stage drag personas. Some professions of these queens include working in marketing, law, medicine, education, construction, museums, politics, and social work.

5. "Drag queens do drag because it's a sexual turn on."/ "Drag queens are into having sex while in drag"

Alli Monroe  getting ready for a show

While what you see on the stage is the final product of hours of hard work and preparation, there is nothing sexy (at all) about what is under the glamorous outfits you seen drag queens wearing. In fact, some queens are a walking Home Depot hardware store with all the stuff they wear to create a feminine illusion. While it may look sexy in pictures, I can tell you from personal experience, there's nothing sexy about being tucked, padded in 4 inches of foam, cinched, corseted in, duct taped, and in heels that make your feet hurt. This is not a sexual turn on for queens. It's a sacrifice they make for the sake of their art. And the idea of having sex in all of that stuff is crazy! If queens were to have sex in all of that gear, it would be the most uncomfortable and non-enjoyable sexual experience ever!

6. "Drag queens are shallow and only do drag for the money."

This one is so false that it is not even funny. Yes, some drag queens make a living from drag, but trust me when I tell you that the majority of drag queens I know have full-time jobs and invest more money in their drag than they make from doing drag. For most, drag is an extremely expensive hobby that they enjoy doing. Very few drag queens are lucky enough to make a living at it.

7. "All drag queens are bitchy."

I won't say that there aren't some drag queens who can be extremely bitchy, but let's stop and look at it from their perspective. They are wearing multiple pairs of tights and heels that were not made for their foot shape; some are corseted, and have their manhood tucked behind them. I think I would be a little on the bitchy side too. Add to that the fact that some people feel that they have the right to judge them and demand things from them. Then you have the guys (or drunk females- take notes bachlorette partygoers!) that want to come up to you and grab your boobs, touch your hair, or touch you all over. It's these things that bring the bitchy side of queens out. I've never seen a queen be bitchy to someone that approaches them respectfully and treats them cordially.  Being a drag queen is not easy and can cause some to be bitchy, but in reality, the majority of them are the nicest people. Most of them would give someone the shirt off their backs. (Just don't ask to borrow their eyeliner!)


8. "Drag queens are druggies and alcoholics."

This misconception is the result of the old saying "a few bad apples spoils the whole bunch." Now I have had the misfortune of working with a few girls who haven't had their sh*t together, but this generalization is unfair. I have heard stories of girls doing things before/after the show, but I can assure you that this is not the vast majority. Most queens are professional and work very hard to bring their art to the stage.


9. "Anyone can be a drag queen."/"Wearing a dress makes you a drag queen."

I (partially) blame this misconception on the success and mainstream visibility of RuPaul's Drag Race. People think that because they see these girls on TV, that it's something that's easy to do. Just because you put on a dress, that doesn't not mean you're a drag queen. Being a drag queen requires that you possess the ability to entertain a crowd, keep them engaged, and create an image. Getting on stage, telling jokes, doing lyp synch, or dancing doesn't make you a queen. The crowd has to feel your passion, energy, and commitment while you're on stage. This is what makes some performers so dull. They are painted for the back row, but they lack personality and are boring as hell! Being a queen takes a lot of work!

 (photo by Richard.Burrowes)

10. "All drag queens are alike."

This misconception doesn't even make sense, yet I hear it all the time. All you have to do is google "drag queen", look at previous seasons of Drag Race, look on Youtube for the various documentaries and tutorials, and you'll see that all drag queens ARE NOT a like. Some may be similar in performance style or look, but even then queens are different. 




So...there you have it. My top 10 misconceptions about drag queens. No matter the style, age, or experience of the queen you see, they deserve your respect. They deserve your respect as artists, performers, entertainers, and people in general. It takes a lot of courage, time, and effort to put together a look and to execute it on stage, so I hope that this blog post gives you more of a glimpse into our world and the things that we go through. That's it for now. Be well, and remember: Being beautiful is not just about what you wear.
-Sasha

Event Review: "Curves Gives Back" Holiday Party

Hi everyone! I hope that the holiday season is treating you all well and that you're in the presence of loved ones (or will be soon). Personally, I've been working my a$$ off and multi-tasking most of the days. This season I've realized that I absolutely despise shopping around this time of year. I've lucky found one key: go shopping either late at night or very early in the morning! I found this to be very successful after making a late night stop on the way back to NYC from Boston after the Patriots/Dolphins game last week! The store was populated, but not too crowded (it was midnight) and the lines moved quickly! 

Why was I one the road shopping at midnight? Easy, I had an event to be at the next evening and wouldn't have time to shop during the day. What event was it? It was a wonderful party/toy drive sponsored by a collaboration between Plus Model Magazine, Ashley Stewart, and Full Figured Fashon Week. The event, nicely named #CurvesGiveBack, was a nice holiday party that took place a small venue in midtown. Each guest was asked to bring an unwrapped toy, which would be donated to the Alex House Project and Children of Bellevue Organization, which I only knew a little bit about (go read about what they do!). I absolutely love supporting charity events, so when I got the invite I decided to get more than one gift. I bought a gift for a young boy, one for a young girl, and a non gender-specific gift (everyone loves "Connect Four"!). I can't stress enough how happy I was to see some of the biggest names in the full figured/plus size community giving back. I'm always on board for charity events, so if you're interested in having me perform, host, or attend an event for a worthy cause, be sure to contact me!

photo courtesy of Rick Jones Photography

Of course I was not able to leave work early, so I knew that I would not be at the event at the beginning. I have an hour-long commute to work, and when I got home I still had to do my makeup, get dressed, and head back to midtown, so we're talking about a four hour process in total! I chose to wear a cute little black dress covered in fishnet that I bought a while ago from Curvaceous Boutique, but never has a chance to wear. I paired them with a pair of gold studded booties from Torrid and sported some awesome pantyhose from The Ice Cream Lady (which I am totally addicted to after FFFW 2014). As I was arriving, some friends were outside getting some fresh air and they warned me that it was hot inside, but that the vibe was great. Upon entering the party it was hot as hell, but that was because there were so many people dancing, smiling, taking pictures, and looking fabulous! I handed over the toys I brought to donate and headed over to the bar. I was expecting your basic cocktail party beverages, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was wine from Sweet Bitch Wine (which I had before at another event) and some tasty desserts courtesy of Gift of Gab Events. 
In attendance was the who's who of the full figured community. The Ashley Stewart corporate marketing team was there in full force (including the president!), the brains, brawn and beauty of the Plus Model Magazine team was there (shout out to Madeleine Jones and Marcy Cruz), and a host of bloggers, models, stylists, and photographers were on hand as well. The vibe was electric. We danced, we smiled, we took silly pics, we instagrammed, and we all enjoyed each other's presence. It was a wonderful event for a great cause and I'm so glad that I was able to attend. I tip my hat (well, my wig!) to Plus Model Magazine, Ashley Stewart, and Full Figured Fashion Week on hosting a successful event! Below are some pictures that I was able to take during the evening. That's it for now y'all. Be well, and remember: being beautiful is not just about what you wear! 
-Sasha

 

HEY SASHA...WHERE'VE YOU BEEN?

Sacred Valley Region (Peru)

Hello everyone! I hope this posts find you all in good condition mentally, emotionally, and physically. It's been a while since I've posted anything, and it's mainly due to the fact that there have been some shifts in life since the weeks following Full Figured Fashion Week 2014 (don't worry, everything is fine). For the month of July, I was off the grid and not very active online because I was traveling.Some people hypothesized and said that I wasn't around because I was doing the newest season of RuPaul's Drag Race and that I said that I "was traveling" as a cover up. As you can tell, since they just revealed the cast for the upcoming season, I really was traveling. I spent some time in South America and enjoyed my travels through the Andes Mountains! I biked through the mountains at an elevation of 13,000 feet above sea level and the views were just amazing. I stopped along the route one day and took in the views, inhaled the fresh air, and then took a ton of pictures!

Machu Picchu

One of my most enjoyable days in South America was the full day I spent at Machu Picchu! I went back for the second summer in a row because I felt like last year's trip wasn't fulfilling enough. I felt like my time at Machu Picchu was too short, so I had to go back and boy am I glad that I did! I arrived around 8am and walked the grounds that members of the Inca Civilization walked around centuries ago. I then hiked up Waynu Picchu, which is the huge cone-shaped mountain behind Machu Picchu. After descending, I spent the next few hours (until 4PM or so) exploring the grounds, taking thousands of pictures, and talking with other tourists about their journeys to one of the most historical and famous locations of the Incan Empire. From Machu Picchu, I headed to the Amazon Region of Peru (aka The Peruvian Rainforest), where I stayed in the depths of nature without electricity nor a cell signal for a few days. It was very peaceful and relaxing; the polar opposite of what us New Yorkers are used to!

Upon my return to the states, it took me a few days to adjust to everything from the food, to the pace of life, to even responding to thousands (no really...thousands) of emails and a few dozen voicemails. After being home for a few days (just enough time to pay bills and do laundry), I was on the road again to work music festivals and to travel around the US a little. I had to come to terms with the fact that I missed so many wonderful fashion events like Curves Rock Fashion Weekend in Baltimore. Even though I wasn't there, I heard a lot from fellow bloggers and received messages with pics and stories of the good times had by those in attendance. After traveling a bit, I was able to attend Brooklyn Night Out, which featured young local up and coming designers and featured the designs of Big Girls United. I then hit the road again and so I missed Plus Night Out, but again I was able to see how successful the event was due to friends messaging me, posting pics, and posting online.

with Isabella & Ruben Toledo

As the fall approached, I began to wind down my travels as my new role at work caused me to be around and in the office a lot more. With a new work schedule, I had to adjust to a new personal schedule. It took a while to get used to, but I was still able to attend events like The Color of Teal and Lane Bryant's release of Isabella Toldeo's latest line. I slowly made my way back onto the scene by also attending the Ashley Stewart Pop Up shop at the Source 360 Expo. It was good to connect with the team from Ashley Stewart, share some laughs, and pick up a few hot items for some upcoming events. I ran into the Ashley Stewart team a few weeks later at Alissa's Stylish Curve's Pop Up Shop (which was a big success). The Pop Up Shop also included designers and representatives from Eloquii, Fashion to Figure, Rebdolls, and a host of independent designers. It was nice to see a lot of familiar faces at the events and it was good to reconnect with people. Over the past few weeks I've also attended Ashley Stewart's "Thankful for Fashion" fashion show in Harlem, Plus Model Magazine's fashion event with Marina Rinaldi, and a few shows featuring local independent designers. There's so much going on that my next post will be in a few days (stay tuned!).

Since reconnecting and reading posts from other bloggers, I've gone back to comments, emails, and questions from my readers, followers, and drag fans to come up with the topics for my next few posts. I'm not going the route of other bloggers and talk about the hot colors or jackets/coats to wear for this fall & winter. Instead I'm personally going to focus on accessories! For some reason I have the urge to explore the world of scarves, hats, necklaces, earrings, and rings to spice up some pretty nice outfits already in my collection (you'd be shocked how changing the footwear and accessories for an outfit can change the whole vibe of a look). Stay tuned, because I'm going to consult with some of the giants on the plus fashion scene to get their input as well! For all of those who have asked about advice on where to buy clothes, tights, and shoes for bigger girls, do not worry: I will be posting an updated version of one of my posts (since I do have some new places to add to my list). Lastly, for all my drag fans out there, I haven't forgotten about y'all! We need to have a kiki about my personal "10 commandments of drag", the upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race (season 7!), and tips when getting ready to beat that mug for a night out or for a show!

My goals are ambitious, but I know that I can do it. It's good to be back around and I'd love to hear from you. Let me know what topics you'd like to read/hear about. In the meantime, be well and remember that "being beautiful is not just about what you wear!"

- Sasha

Must Haves for Full Figured Fashion Week® 2014 "The Finale"

Hey everyone! I hope this post finds you in good spirits and health. If you follow the plus sized/full figured community, you'd know that many people are preparing for one of the biggest events of the year: Full Figured Fashion Week. It will take place here in New York City from June 16th until June 21st. That means we're exactly two weeks away! While many people have already booked flights, car rentals, train tickets, and hotel rooms to be here I thought that I'd take a moment to share with you my "top ten" list of things you should be sure to have with you for the week. Before I give you my list, I must give a big shot out to Nikki P who posted something like this last year and was very helpful to me and a shot out to A Thick Girl's Closet, who posted a "Full Figured Fashion Week Survival Guide" two weeks ago. My list is slightly different from hers, so I'm sure that between the two you'll be good to go for the last Full Figured Fashion Week! So, on to the list. For your week here in New York, here are things to make sure you have:

1. Outfits
There will be various events throughout the week and you want to make sure that you have the appropriate attire for each event. The week kicks off with a 90s themed launch party on Monday, Wednesday is the
"Curves at Sea" All White Sunset Dinner/Dance Cruise, Friday is the Indie Designer Showcase, and Saturday is the Retailers/Boutiques/All Stars Runway Showcase & Industry Awards Event. You should be sure to look your very best and be ready to smile because there are cameras everywhere (literally!)

at the All White Cruise

at the Retail/Boutique Showcase

at the Indie Designer Showcase

2. Camera

Like I just previously said, there will be cameras everywhere so be ready to smile, but there will also be opportunities for you to take pics with your favorite designers, models, and bloggers! Make sure you have your batteries charged and your memory cards emptied because you'll have the chance to make good use of them!

3. Comfortable shoes/Flats

Yes it's a week of fashion, and sometimes that comes with a price, but that price should not be pain! Every smart girl knows to have a pair of flats nearby. I have a pair of foldable flats that I keep in my bag. I usually with throw them on if I have to walk in the city or at the end of the night once we're done taking pictures and are hanging having drinks or are on the dance floor. I wear a size 15/16 heel but love my foldable flats from "Fit in Clouds." If you wear a more normal size (like a size 12 and below), you can find foldable flats at Walmart, KMart, CVS, Kohl's, and Target. Please pleas please don't be one of those girls walking/hobbling around NYC with your heels in your hand and nothing on your feet. Not a cute look!                                                                 

4. Cash!

Last year at FFFW, some people learned the hard way that it pays to have cash on you. The All White Cruise had a cash bar, and the only ATM on the boat was broken! I've never seen so many beautiful people hot (literally) and bothered because they couldn't get their sip on! It also pays to have cash on you in the event that you need to hop in a taxi during the week. If you plan to go shopping in certain areas, cash will also allow you to bargain with vendors. Kind of hard to bargain when you're holding plastic! 

5. Business Cards

There will be plenty of opportunities to network during the week, so be sure to have your business cards or comp cards with you. Since many events will be packed with people, some people don't want to spend time taking out their phone an doing the whole "add contact" procedure. Last year, I added my contacts (via facebook, email, or added them to my phone) at the end of the night once I had time to sit on the couch and decompress. If you don't have any cards, you can have free ones made at vistaprint. If you're willing to spend a little cash, you can go to your local Staples. 

6. Fan, handherchief, loose powder and powder puff

It will be mid-June in New York City so it's bound to be hot! Even if it rains, it'll be hot and humid. Don't get caught at a FFFW event without a fan. You will wish you had one. I'm a queen that's known for having a fan in her bag (I love and have a collection of the big Chinese snap fans). No matter how flawless your makeup may be, you will need to powder (or blot), which is why you should be sure to have your loose powder along with your powder puff. This will help you to keep a matte looking face and avoid the shiny face look in pictures.     

                         

7. Mints, deodorant, fragrance, and baby wipes

If you're going to attend events during the day during FFFW, these things are essential. You'll be moving around to different locations, meeting lots of people, and, I say again, it'll be hot! You want to make sure that you're a fresh as possible! You don't want to ruin that first impression with bad breath or by smelling sweaty. Pop some mints during events (avoid gum as it is unprofessional when having a conversation with someone), LIGHTLY spray a little fragrance early in the day, and you can use the wipes to freshen up if you began to feel hot an sweaty (one of the best places to hit so you cool off is the back of your neck!).

8. ID and portable charger

Whether you know it or not, it's actually illegal in New York to not have ID on you. Even if you don't drive and have a driver's license, you can have a state issued ID. Having an ID is important as many clubs, lounges, and bars in NYC will card you. We ran into an issue last year where there was a group of about 6 of us going to a lounge after an event and two of the girls didn't put their ID in the bags. It became an annoying situation which ended in the girls having to hop in a cab (see #4 above), go back to the hotel for their IDs, and come back to the lounge. A portable charger is important because tweeting, posting to instagram, and taking pictures with your phone quickly drains the battery. Be sure to pack your charger so you're not one of those people walking around the club/bar looking for an outlet or asking the bartender if you can "plug in" behind the bar! I'm partial to the Anker portable charger (which can charge two phones, or in my case my phone and iPad mini at the same time!). Make sure you charge your external charger (and your camera battery) overnight while you're sleeping. 

                                     

9. Saftey pins, bobby pins, hair ties, nail glue, and dryer sheets

I know that this is more than one thing, but I keep them together in a zip lock bag. Safety pins come in handy in the even that a zipper busts (it happens) or a button comes loose. The bobby pins and hair ties are useful when it gets hot and you want to put you hair up. The nail glue will help with quick nail repairs, and you can use dryer sheets to run over your hair to keep stray hairs out of your face (and not on the awesome lipstick you'll be wearing!).

10. Confidence and a great attitude

Remember a big point of this week is to celebrate and support the plus sized community. You have made sacrifices to be a part of this week and people are coming from all over to be a part of such a great week. You'll have the opportunity to rub elbows with, chit chat, and hang out with your favorite designers, models, bloggers, and photographers during this week. While there will be networking opportunities, it's also a time for people to personally connect. The press people (bloggers, reporters, etc.) are not there just to talk to industry professionals. They're there to also finally meet all of you that have been following and supporting them on social media (Thanks for that advice Nikki!). Don't be afraid to approach others and introduce yourself. I was so nervous last year at FFFW, but everyone was so nice and welcoming. It allowed me to shed the nerves and talk with people I had previously spoken to online. I have to give a shot out to some of the industry's giants that were so lovely to me: Gwen DeVoe (creator and CEO of Full Figured Fashion Week), Sharon Quinn, Tonya Giddens, Marcy Guevara, Ashley Graham (who was a hoot), Allison McGevna, and Monique Walton.  

   

                         

Well I guess that's it for now! If you're in attendance at Full Figured Fashion Week and you see me, please come up and say hello! I'd love to hear how your week is going! Until next time! Remember, "being beautiful is not just about what you wear!"

- Sasha