Plus Size Marketing Group

Plus Size Marketing Group Launches Extensive Plus Size Survey

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:39:00 +0000

June 17th, New York - For the third consecutive year, plus size women are taking New York by storm. The highly anticipated Full Figured Fashion Week™ (www.fffweek.com) will welcome thousands of beautiful plus size women to the "Big Apple" for three days of shopping, empowerment and FASHION!

The Plus Size Marketing Group™ comprised of Jennene Biggins, Founder and CEO of the Voluptuous Woman Company, Inc. ® and 14 year plus size advocate and Tonye' Fubara, an entrepreneur with over 15 years experience in Marketing and Research, will announce their Plus Size Marketing Survey this weekend during the 3-Day event.

Over the past 6-7 months Ms Biggins and Ms Fubara have worked to develop an extensive survey geared towards the plus size market, which will not only encompass fashion but the lifestyle of today's plus size woman. Today's plus size woman has a significant amount of discretionary income, however, product and service providers do not recognize the buying power of the plus size woman . The only way to make an impact with these companies are to hit them "where the money is".

We urge all plus size women to participate in our extensive survey. PLEASE help us make a difference. You can access the Plus Size Marketing Survey Here .

Jennene Biggins and a host of other plus size industry professionals are part of Full Figured Fashion Week's™ The Pulse of the Plus Size Community panel on Friday, July 17th @ 3pm at the Affinia Hotel.

The Plus Size Marketing Group™ looks forward to working with plus size industry professionals (bloggers, retailers, magazines, models, etc.) on this awesome project.

If you are interested in joining our efforts, please send an email to jbiggins@plussizemarketing.com. Or call 301-538-2204

Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ Bringing Fashion to the West Coast

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 06:17:00 +0000

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rachel Pink
press@fffweek.com

Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ Brings the Best of Plus-Size Fashion to Los Angeles Fashionistas--October 28th-30th, 2010

New York, NY. Gwen DeVoe worked for decades to get full-figured fashion, models and designers respect and attention in the fashion industry. This past June she landed major international coverage for the second annual Full Figured Fashion Week™ --from a front-page piece in The New York Times to dispatches on dozens of fatshion blogs and magazines that cover fashion trends for women size 14 and up. Today, DeVoe announced the fall launch of Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ Los Angeles from October 28th-30th, 2010.

While Full Figured Fashion Week™ has been a NYC-based production, shoppers, designers and models in the plus-industry have been asking for an L.A. show for years. "Most people don’t think 'fatshionista' when they think of Los Angeles-- they think of women dieting themselves into size zero dresses," says DeVoe, "but there is a growing and vocal plus-size community in L.A.. When we sought to expand Full Figured Fashion Week™ into other markets, L.A. was my first choice."

Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ L.A. will bring a fashion-filled three-day weekend brimming with information, inspiration and great clothes to for aspiring plus-size models, designers and consumers. And exciting line-up of panels and events will be capped off with a full-scale fashion showcase hosted by Full Figured Fashion Week™ creator and executive director, Gwen DeVoe. The search for designers and models has already started--but there are still opportunities for plus-size designers and models. Says DeVoe: "We're looking for new faces and new looks that will really wow the crowd. This a celebration of curvy bodies, so we're looking for designers who know how to show them off best. We want designs that will accentuate, not hide, our plus-sized selves."

Click here for complete press release .

Did you miss the 2010 Full Figured Fashion Week™? Check out the press coverage here!

Plus-Size Runway Show Coming To New York Fashion Week | The Frisky

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 06:10:00 +0000

Plus-Size Runway Show Coming To New York Fashion Week | The Frisky

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:05:00 +0000

VWC, Plus Model Mag, Daily Venus Diva, Marie Denee, Fuller Woman Expo needs your VOTE Help Us Make Plus Size History! http://ow.ly/2oJhO

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:13:00 +0000

Is FOX and ABC discriminating against the Lane Bryant Lingerie Commercial bcuz the model is plus size? http://ping.fm/9SmGU

FULL FIGURED FASHION WEEK(tm) RETURNS TO NYC FOR A SECOND YEAR from June 16th to June 19th

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:48:00 +0000

New York, NY. Full Figured Fashion Week(tm) founder, Gwen DeVoe, wants to change the way the fashion industry thinks about plus-size women. "Plus-size consumers are accustomed to being marginalized. But we have buying power; we're spending over $25 billion dollars a year on clothes," says DeVoe. Last year, thousands of designers, retailers, models, store owners, shoppers and style makers converged on NYC for the inaugural Full Figured Fashion Week(tm). Following up on that success, this year's event promises to make a serious impression on a thin-focused industry. "2009 was a big year for plus-size fashion," says Devoe, "Crystal Renn became a household name. Vogue Curvy debuted to great fanfare. Stores like Forever 21 and Target launched new, hip plus size lines. But we're still not there--plus-size fashion is still not being taken seriously enough by the industry. It's not a novelty--it's a reality for millions of women across the country."

This year's Full Figured Fashion Week(tm) line-up promises great things for aspiring models and designers while offering access to new looks for fashionistas size 14 and up. The four days of panels and events will be capped off with a full-scale fashion showcase hosted by the original plus-size supermodel, Emme. "Emme was the perfect choice for us," says DeVoe. "Her contributions to the plus-size fashion industry are unparalleled." Models and designers from all over the country have submitted audition tapes and portfolios to win a spot in the finale showcase. DeVoe says, "We're looking for new faces and new looks that will really wow the crowd. This a celebration of curvy bodies--so we're looking for designers who know how to show them off best."

In addition to the finale fashion showcase, confirmed highlights for Full Figured Fashion Week(tm) 2010 include:

A panel for aspiring models moderated by Sharon Quinn, the "Original Runway Diva"

A guided shopping tour of NYC's plus-size shopping hotspots organized by Marie Denee, Founder of The Curvy Fashionista

A day-long shopping expo

A panel on the state of the curvy community including some of the freshest voices in the plus size community

For a full schedule of events, ticketing and travel/hotel information, please visit: http://www.fffweek.com.

For press inquiries, please contact Rachel Kempster at press@fffweek.com.

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:13:00 +0000

Plus Academy Atlanta's Open House is March 20th. PA Atlanta is going to have something special for it's students. Go to http://ow.ly/1nOl6

Size Inclusivity in the Fashion Industry presented at the Atlanta Fashion Incubator Conference 11/13/09

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Jennene Biggins, Founder and CEO of the Voluptuous Woman Company, Inc. will address global fashion stakeholders and encourage new and emerging fashion designers to consider the economic and social benefits of creating fashion for those who wear larger sizes at the 2nd Annual International Conference of Fashion Incubators 11/12-11/14/09 in Atlanta, GA. She will challenge all fashion enterprises to BE THE CHANGE in their efforts toward size inclusivity.

The Atlanta Fashion Incubator [AFI] is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit small business resource center dedicated to supporting and nurturing fashion designers. AFI's mission is to ensure emerging entrepreneurial fashion design companies grow into self-sustaining businesses by providing industry specific education, sourcing, marketing and business consulting services. http://www.atlantafashionincubator.com/

To register for the AFI's Second Annual Conference in Atlanta on November 12-14, 2009, visit the registration website at http://www.atlantafashionincubator.eventbrite.com/ .

Plus Size Affirmation Contest-Voluptuous Woman Company

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:12:00 +0000

VWC wants to invite you to participate in our Size is Just a Number campaign. We are looking for empowering slogans that celebrate today's voluptuous woman. The winner of the "Size is Just a Number" campaign will receive a $100.00 VWC gift certificate. Send submissions via email to submission@volupwoman.com. A winner will be announced on December 15, 2009.

The Curvy Coach’s Marketing Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:13:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that there are tons of independent entrepreneurs/small business in the plus-size industry, but the problem is no one knows about them. We can't always depend on the media to tell the world who we are. That is why now is the perfect time to allow yourself to shine in the plus-size industry whether you're just starting out or have been in business for many years. Now more than ever, we need plus entrepreneurs to step up to the plate and let the world know they are ready to do business. This workshop is for you if:

* You are model but not sure how to stand out in the plus size world.
* You've got your blog or business up and running but not generating enough sales
* You have a great product and/or service but no one really knows about it
* You know you need a marketing plan but not sure where to start

In this one-of-a-kind workshop, Kimmoy the Curvy Coach will reveal strategies that she has used for her business as well as clients to help increase their visibility and increase their bottom line. Here's what you can expect to get from the workshop:

* How to create a unique marketing message & irresistible offers their clients can't say no too
* How to position yourself in the plus-size industry so that you stand out
* 30-day Marketing Blueprint that increases your visibility and grows your client base.

All the details for this online workshop coming up September 22nd and 23rd are here: http://www.thecurvycoach.com/workshop

Additional incentives which you may not find on the page are:

* Access to FREE audio download of pre-view call revealing 5 Marketing Techniques to Skyrocket Your Visibility
* First 5 people will get a custom-designed twitter background provided by www.MaeLeaDesigns.com
* First 10 people will get a $20 discount off of their $100.00 purchase provided by www.Igigi.com
* All workshop attendees who sign-up before
* September 15th will be the first to get access to my one-on-one exclusive interview with Abby of www.abbyz.com who dishes details on how she landed her spot on HSN.com5 attendees will be selected to get a complete website analysis for FREE provided by www.jbigginsconsulting.com

The Curvy Coach's goal is to make many aware of this exclusive training and perks that are available to the plus-size community. It's imperative for any business owner to ramp up their marketing now so that they are at the forefront of their client's minds especially when the economy takes flight. Take action now and reserve your spot at TODAY!

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:47:00 +0000

Plus Size Marketing Group Reveals More to Love Survey Results

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Join Jennene "Gigi" Biggins, Founder and CEO of the Voluptuous Woman Company, Inc. and the Plus Size Marketing Group on Plus Model Radio, tonight August 3, 2009 9pm EST as she reveals the first round of results from the "More to Love" survey that was conducted after the premiere of Fox's More to Love Reality Show.

Tune into Plus Model Radio 6pm PST/9pm EST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/plusmodelradio.

Over 450 women answered the survey and let their voices be heard. Check out http://www.plussizemarketing.com/mtlresults.htm and see what they had to say! If you didn't get a chance to participate in the survey, we would LOVE to hear from you. Take the survey today - MORE TO LOVE SURVEY .

The Voluptuous Woman Company (VWC) is an organization that functions as an information source for plus-size women for over 12 years and is based out of Maryland. The Voluptuous Woman Company was created to celebrate the plus-size woman by providing information and visibility for them through various distribution channels. VWC sponsors social, spiritual and empowering events that provide the plus-size woman with the necessary tools to live life to the fullest.

Check out our newest project - Plus Size Clothing Auction .

"More to Love" Premieres Tonight on the Fox Network

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:30:00 +0000

Well, the day is here! Tonight, The Fox Network will attempt to present a reality show geared toward the plus-size/full figured market.

Over the past few months "More to Love”, the first dating reality show geared towards the plus size market has received positive and negative commentary concerning the show. The producers of More to Love have welcome Emme (noted as the first plus size super model) as the host. I am confident that Emme will bring class and style to this controversial reality show.

Tonight you will be the judge. The Plus Size Marketing Group will be providing a feedback survey that will be shared with producers of the "More to Love" reality show , which can be found via our website at http://www.plussizemarketinggroup.com/ starting July 29, 2009.

Looking forward to viewing the program and hearing your honest feedback.

For more information on the show visit http://www.fox.com/moretolove/

Full Figured Women Rewrite Fashion HISTORY!

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:49:00 +0000

Last week Full Figured Women made HERstory in New York City for the first Full Figured Fashion Week held June 25-27, 2009 in New York City. Women from around the world converged in Manhattan to celebrate their curves and individual styles.

The weekend began with a fabulous shopping event at Re/Dress Boutique in Brooklyn, followed by the first fashion and networking event of the weekend at the chic Club Blvd. The inaugural event, "The Designers Showcase and Networking" event featured designs by Ashley Stewart and en.v new york. Full Figured Fashion Week partnered with Giving for Purses And Pockets With A Purpose. Tracey V. Bell (Chairman and President, PPWAP) presented Gwen DeVoe, producer of FFFWeek with a special designed swarovski crystal embellished "My Love Doesn't Hurt" t-shirt designed specifically for PPWAP. Check out Newsweek Magazine Online coverage of the event here.

On Friday, the Buyer's Market connected plus size fashion buyers and boutique owners with participating FFFWeek designers/suppliers in a private, one-on-one environment.

The afternoon featured a power packed Panel Discussion - The State of the Curvy Community,facilitated by Sharon Quinn, “The Original Runway Diva", and featured the following panelists:

*Cassy Jones- McBride- US Director of the Fuller Woman Network,
*Deb Malkin- Owner of Re/Dress NY,
*Glen Johnson- Owner of Full Figure Plus and a Member of The Curvy Collective,
*K. L. Belvin- Author of "Man In Transition",
*Mia Amber- Model, Actress, Creative Editor of Plus Model Magazine,
*Maddy Figueroa-Jones – Editor in Chief of Plus Model Magazine
*Celebrity Stylist - Susan Moses
*Nikki Blonsky - Actress
and this awesome

The nightlife of New York was taken over by two events produced by Curvesity featuring an all night dance party at Stitch and a mini concert at the Sage Theater with none other than Queen Aishah – comedienne, actress, radio personality, and philanthropist, Crystal P., (Detroit's new Queen of Comedy) and The Glamazons, a plus size pop group that continues to show that talent knows no size limit.

Our full figured business owners got down to business during the "Marketing Your Business Online" sponsored by J Biggins Consulting and the Plus Marketing Group. Followed by a shopping soiree featuring clothing and accessories for all sizes of women.

But nothing could top the red carpet Full Figured Fashion Week Showcase at the historic Prince George Ballroom hosted by the beautiful and talented Kim Coles. The runway was flooded with 40 beautiful models showcasing designs by Ashley Stewart, Big Girls United (BGU), Candi Apple Couture, Agape Goddess Wear, Osun Designs, Monif C, Jewel Shannon Designs, LaMeica Designs, Robert E. Knight Designs, Qristyl Frazier Designs, Sealed with a Kiss (SWAK) Designs, and LaMeica Designs.

If you missed this history making event, Richard Lew from Richard Lew Photography has captured the event beautifully. Check out the Full Figured Fashion Week pictures.

Plus Size Marketing Group Announces Sponsorship for Full Figured Fashion Week

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:47:00 +0000

The Plus Size Marketing Group is proud to be a sponsor of Full Figured Fashion Week which will be held June 25-27, 2009. For the first time in history, a partnership of independent fashion designers, retailers, event producers, models and plus industry businesses, will join forces to bring the fashion week experience to the curvy consumer during it's ground breaking launch in New York City, June 25-27, 2009.

In America alone, there are 40 million women over size 14, spending $25 billion a year on clothing, or a quarter of all clothing sales, according to American Demographics. So, why isn’t there a Fashion Week event dedicated to showcasing fashions available to the curvy consumer? There wasn’t...until NOW!

Produced by DeVoe Signature Events, a special events and management company, specializing in events for plus size consumers for over 10 years, the organizers of FFFWeek are very excited about creating an event that will not only showcase plus size designs, talented designers, retailers, local boutiques and “real size” models, but it is hoped that the event will also increase economic development in the area of plus size fashion design, clothing merchandising and plus modeling.

The ancillary events for FFFWeek will create even more networking opportunities for designers, boutiques and businesses as this highly anticipated three-day fashion extravaganza will debut before an audience of over 1500+ plus size fashion enthusiasts, style mavens, models, boutiques, vendors and the media, while providing an inaugural showcase of talented designers, models, stylists and plus industry businesses that specialize in the needs of the plus size consumer.

The grand finale event, which will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 27th will feature the collections of high-end plus size fashion boutiques, retail stores, local and out of state independent designers.

For information on attending the event, advertising opportunities, press/media inquiries and the cover model search contest, please visit the Full Figured Fashion Week website at http://www.fffweek.com.

Faith 21: Forever 21 Plus Size Line

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:30:00 +0000

As many of you know, Forever 21 will launch it's plus size line - Faith 21. The response has been amazing and as one would expect controversial since Kim Kardashian made the following comment "“I feel that this clipping from Us Magazine is a bit misleading, so I wanted to comment on it.”I am a huge fan of Forever 21 and I’m very happy they have expanded their line to include a plus-size range, but I am not in that size category and this article makes it sound like I am! I am a curvy girl and I love my curves, but curvy and plus-sized are two very different things. I work really hard to maintain my curves while staying slim and healthy, so to be classed as a “fuller-figured woman” of extreme large proportions is a little offensive. For the record, I am a size 2, not 2XL.”

What one has to realize is that society thrives on controversy and by placing Ms. Kardashian's face in the article was to elicit "shock value" and a response, which is exactly what it did. Unfortunately, Ms. Kardashian felt she "had" to comment because she probably has some insecurities about her "large derriere" which she so willingly flaunts and God forbid people would mistake her for "plus size".

The focus should be on a clothing manufacturer finally listening to the needs of plus size consumer. Unfortunately, even in 2009, manufacturers do not recognize the value of this under served market. “We are rather ashamed to admit that we never really considered plus-sizes before,” Forever 21 founder Do-Won Chang told reporters at following a runway show of the line. “When we started the company in the 80’s, everyone was only making fashionable clothing for skinny people. We didn’t think heavier people were interested in looking good.” Well could that be because you (manufacturers, etc) never ASK this under served community what they want?

The Plus Size Marketing Group's mission is to serve as an advocate for the plus size community and work with manufacturers, designers and retailers to create and market products for the plus size woman. We invite you to let us know how you feel about the upcoming plus size line by Forever 21 by participating in our one answer poll to the right.

We commend Forever 21 for realizing that the plus size community is under served, and we look forward to seeing Faith 21 stores nationwide.

Full Figured Fashion Week Hits New York City-Making History

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:13:00 +0000

For the first time in history, a partnership of independent fashion designers, retailers, event producers, models and plus industry businesses, will join forces to bring the fashion week experience to the curvy consumer. Full Figured Fashion Week (FFFWeek) will proudly launch in New York City, June 25-27, 2009.

In America alone, there are 40 million women over size 14, spending $25 billion a year on clothing, or a quarter of all clothing sales, according to American Demographics. So, why isn’t there a Fashion Week event dedicated to showcasing fashions available to the curvy consumer? There wasn’t...until NOW!

Produced by DeVoe Signature Events, a special events and management company, specializing in events for plus size consumers for over 10 years, the organizers of FFFWeek are very excited about creating an event that will not only showcase plus size designs, talented designers, retailers, local boutiques and “real size” models, but it is hoped that the event will also increase economic development in the area of plus size fashion design, clothing merchandising and plus modeling.

The ancillary events for FFFWeek will create even more networking opportunities for designers, boutiques and businesses as this highly anticipated three-day fashion extravaganza will debut before an audience of over 1500+ plus size fashion enthusiasts, style mavens, models, boutiques, vendors and the media, while providing an inaugural showcase of talented designers, models, stylists and plus industry businesses that specialize in the needs of the plus size consumer.

The grand finale event, which will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 27th at The Cathedral, one of New York’s most preeminent and fashionable venues, will feature the collections of high-end plus size fashion boutiques, retail stores and local and out of state independent designers.

For more information http://www.fffweek.com

For advertising opportunities, email fffweek@plussizemarketing.com

More To Love Audition Mistake

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:17:00 +0000

More To Love Audition Mistake - Glen Johnson, Full Figure Plus

Posted using ShareThis

Why would the producers of the reality show “More To Love” which will feature a big man searching for love among plus size beauties not have auditions in the city that their partner is headquartered out of? In case you have been under a rock for the past few weeks Lane Bryant, plus size fashion retailer has teamed up with the show to hold auditions in several stores around the country.

Auditions are taking place in Edison, N.J., on Friday; Houston on Saturday; Philadelphia on April 16; and in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City on April 18. Auditions already have been held in Atlanta, Chicago and Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

Charming Shoppes which is based in Columbus, Ohio purchased Lane Bryant in 2001, yet this reality show is holding auditions in other cities ignoring Columbus. According to the LB representatives the decision was not theirs it was up to the producers of the show. In my opinion this is a HUGE oversight to not hold auditions in the stores closest to the company headquarters. While in some circles this may be viewed as not a big deal, from a logistical standpoint of giving company executives a peek into what is going on in their stores it just makes sense. Not to mention just plain old good PR all the way around.

Join the Plus Size Movement - More to Love Info

noreply@blogger.com (J Biggins) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:56:00 +0000

As many of you have probably heard, FOX will be attempting to produce a reality dating show entitled "More to Love". Many of the Founders, Presidents, and CEO's of plus size organizations like the Voluptuous Woman Company, Divas Unlimited, Inc, DeVoe Signature Events, Full Figured Plus, Venus Imaging, Pasazz.net, Full Figures.net and many others have probably been contacted by the casting director of this ground breaking event. The casting directors have sought out the plus size online communities to help spread the word about this upcoming event.

We (the plus size community) now have the opportunity to break down every barrier possible regarding the negative stereotypes of mainstream media. This is the time where we can show the world the POWER of plus size women and men through our voice. The negative comments and news stories have already started to surface - some are positive but a lot are also negative.

I welcome you to JOIN THE PLUS SIZE MOVEMENT and let your voice be heard! Sign up for our mailing list and share the Plus Size Marketing Group website with your family, friends, co-workers, etc. More importantly, we have designed a short survey that we would love for you to complete. The results will be sent to the casting director of the "More to Love" Reality Show and the FOX Television Network.

Plus size women deserve to be loved and desired, and more importantly the WORLD needs to recognize that everyone is not designed to be the same size. Plus size women represent the majority of women in the United States.

Please send your comments, ideas, etc to marketing@plussizemarketing.com

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you are interested in being considered for the More to Love Reality show visit http://www.moretolovecasting.com for more information. In addition, there are OPEN CALL DATES in selected cities.