FULL FIGURED FASHION WEEK

Full Figured Fashion Week is in full-swing this week in NYC as plus-size women from all over the world unite to celebrate fashion, beauty and their curves.

Created by Gwen DeVoe and presented by Sonsi Full Figured Fashion Week boasts a healthy roster of sponsors, retailers, models, designers and more.

From its kick-off with an all-white sunset cruise on Wednesday, followed by a full slate of panels and events, it's clear that plus-size fashion is in full-force all over Manhattan.

The big girls know how to have a great time, and how to make their silhouettes fabulous in an array of looks from Ashley Stewart to Asos.

 

TOP 10 WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE FASHIONABLE CARS OF 2012

Bugatti Veyron Supersport Price: $2,600,000

Bugatti Veyron Supersport is the world’s fastest car, so it is quite obvious that it would also be the most expensive! It is the ultimate Bugatti you can wish for. It is powered by a quad-turbo 8.0-liter W16 engine, which makes 1,200 hp and custom aerodynamics that help it hit 267.81 mph. It is also a great luxury car. Totally awesome and beautiful, Bugatti Veyron Supersport comes 1st on this list!

Ferrari 599XX  Price: $2,000,000

Everyone knows Ferrari, everyone loves Ferrari and everyone wants a Ferrari! Ferrari 599XX comes 2nd on this list. Powering this awesome car is a 700-hp version of the factory V12 engine (without any turbos or superchargers) and you can accelerate to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. It was built for in limited numbers for some chosen extra privileged Ferrari owners, who can drive it at exclusive track events. The price of this amazing car has not yet been announced by Ferrari, but it is rumored to be in excess of $2 million.

Zenvo ST1  Price: $1,800,000

Zenvo ST1 is 3rd on this list. This car is from Danes from Denmark. Powering this car is a turbocharged and supercharged 7.0-liter V8 engine, which makes 1,250 hp. And on buying this car you also get a free $50,000 watch!

Koenigsegg Agera R  Price: $1,711,000

Agera is a great car from the Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg. It comes 4th on this list. It is powered by a a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 making 1,115 hp when running E85 ethanol. The price of the “regular” Agera is $1.5 million, but if you want that R badge, you are required to pay an additional $211,000. In terms of top speed it might not be the fastest car, but Koenigsegg claims the best 0-200 mph time of 17.68 seconds.

Aston Martin One-77  Price: $1,400,000

Aston Martin One-77 comes 5th on this list. It is an extremely stylish car and world’s only full carbon-chassis vehicles. It is powered by a great 7.3-liter V12 engine making 750-hp. It also boasts a unique pushrod suspension setup, which is just like the ones used on Formula 1 cars. Only 77 cars would be made, hence the name.

Maybach Landaulet  Price: $1,400,000

Maybach Landaulet comes 6th on this list. Mercedes-Benz has decided to axe this super-luxury brand, so it is probable that it would become a classic and a future Pebble Beach rarity. This car was inspired by the stretched 62S model. It boasts a twin-turbo V12 engine which makes 543 hp. The things that make this car totally awesome, stylish and original are the color-coded cabin with divided driver and passenger areas, and a convertible rear.

Pagani Huayra  Price: $1,300,000

Huayra comes 7th on this list. It is the second supercar built by Pagani and it looks just like a catfish. Its predecessor was the Zonda, which was one of the best looking car ever made. Powering Huayra is a 700-hp twin-turbo Mercedes V12 engine. It can reach a speed of over 230 mph.

Hennessey Venom GT  Price: $1,000,000

Hennessey is famous for making twin-turbo Dodge Vipers and other high-performance machines. This Venom GT is the first ground-up car from Hennessey Performance. It comes 8th on this list. This car is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter GM-sourced V8 engine making 1,200-hp.

SSC Tuatara  Price: $970,000

SSC Tuatara comes 9th on this list. Its predecessor, the Ultimate Aero was one of the fastest production cars in the world, so you can expect it to be speedy too. It would arrive in 2012. Powering this car is a 7.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and makes about 1,350-hp. This car weighs only 2,654 lbs. As claimed by SSC, it can hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and get to a top speed of 275 mph. This thing would put it ahead of the present top speed record holder, which is the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

Porsche 918 Spyder  Price: $845,0001

Porsche 918 Spyder comes 10th on this list. It would arrive later this year. It will boast a high-revving V8 engine which makes more than 500 hp, with a plug-in hybrid system that adds over 218 hp. Porsche claims that it has a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds, with an amazing 78 mpg rating.

HOW TO WEAR A SUIT JACKET WITH JEANS

On a side note this question could also read is it acceptable to wear a suit jacket as a men’s blazer or sport jacket, which in most cases either of these odd jackets CAN be worn with the right type of jeans.

  

Examine the Suit Jacket

Does it fit you?

If no, then go no further. You cannot wear this with anything.

Is the style classic?

I don’t refer to something made in 1950, rather is it timeless in design. Think 2 or 3 button single breasted, notch or peak lapels, 3 pockets (two hip, one left breast). If this is a zoot suit jacket that hangs to your knees or a 1974 Saturday night Fever special, save it for Halloween and go no further.

Is the fabric something that could have been used for a sport jacket or blazer?

Navy Blue – If your jacket is solid navy, and meets all the criteria above, you’re in luck. Simply remove the buttons and replace them with buttons (silver – brass – gold – mother-of-pearl). You now have a blazer.

Solid Black – If the suit jacket is black, and you are medium to high contrast, you can wear it as a night sport jacket. However, to the 1% who pay attention to details, it will be obvious this is a suit jacket unless you have it altered (special buttons, accent stitching). My advice is to just say screw it and wear the jacket with confidence and have a great time.

Charcoal Grey Solid – Solid charcoal jackets is rarely seen in sport coats. I will just say no here.

Light Grey Solid – Like black, except more for daytime wear. The lighter the better, as since most men don’t even own a light colored grey suit they won’t wise up to this jacket’s origins.

Invest in non-plastic horn or smoked mother-of-pearl buttons, and maybe look to have a tailor add a ticket pocket. And even though if I saw you I would know what’s going on, wear with confidence and I’ll realize you’re stylish yet thrifty.

Tweed or a Classic Patterned Fabric – You are in luck my friend; you have found a suit jacket that can easily be used as a sport coat. Upgrade the buttons if they are cheap looking, ensure the boutonniere hole is functional, and possibly even add patch elbow or another casual touch.

Other fabrics – case by case basis.

 

Examine the Denim Jeans

The jeans on the left are sport jacket or blazer safe – the jeans on the right less so, although if you have a solid understanding of style you can pull this off.

I prefer to always wear dark jeans with a jacket – the simple act of wearing the jacket raises the formality of the ensemble.

However if the weather is warm lighter jeans that are well kept can be matched with a dark blazer or seasonal jacket (think brown in fall). Unless you are a musician or artist, avoid torn jeans with a jacket.

Also pay attention to your blue jean fit – loose or low hanging jeans are too informal to ever wear with a jacket.

You want denim that fits you in a similar manner to how dress slacks would fit – close to the body and comfortable.  Skinny tight jeans are too fashion forward – leave these at the hipster store and run away quickly:)

Seriously – you have to be in decent shape to pull off jeans and a jacket – it’s a youthful look and requires a body type whose chest is bigger than the waist.  Once the reverse is true, the look becomes a poor one no matter your age as the jeans look forced and will certainly be the wrong style.

 

Does a suit jacket and jean combination fit the occasion?

That being said, wear a jacket and jeans only when a suit or higher level of appearance is not expected, and jeans and a dress shirt would suffice. In this way wearing the jacket is just icing on the cake and simply makes you look more masculine versus looking like a wanna-be rebel.

Finally, always wear this combination with confidence.

I like to rock a pocket square, wear one of my hand-made dress shirts, and wear my Lucchese western boots. What’s your style?

THE FASHION MODEL - FLAVIANA MATATA

Born and raised in Tanzania, Flaviana Matata’s stellar rise in the modeling industry sounds like a fairy tale and an inspiration to many African women. Having lost her mother in her childhood to a tragic boat accident of the ferry boat MV Bukoba that capsized on Lake Victoria, Flaviana grew up with her siblings raised by a single parent. She studied Electric Engineering at Arusha Technical College. Her star started shining when she rose to international fame in 2007 after she won the Miss Universe Tanzania title and became the first woman to represent her country in Miss Universe.

Flaviana was the first bald woman to compete in a beauty pageant, defying the notion of beauty. Her natural African look and her charming personality propelled her to 6th place in the finals of Miss Universe 2007 in Mexico City.

Flaviana  has the passion for social services and has used her fame in the global beauty industry to support worthy charity activities in her native country by being a Goodwill Ambassador of SOS Children’s Village Tanzania and working with youth on drug addiction. Flaviana has also travelled the world as Tanzania’s representative in various events including the glamorous esteemed Budapest Opera Ball in 2008.

After finishing her reign as Miss Universe Tanzania, Flaviana continued with her modeling career in South Africa with Ice Models. She is currently signed with Boss Models SA.

In a visit to a charity event in New York end of 2009, Flaviana was discovered by Russell Simmons who helped her secure interviews with modeling agencies in the US. She went on to sign with an international agency – NEXT MODELS MANAGEMNET and she officially moved to New York for the next step of her career in October 2010.

Flaviana is based in New York City and currently works in New York, London, Paris, and Milan. She has been listed as the top 10 Black Models in Essence Magazine and online magazine Models and Moguls.

Flaviana has worked with some of the most respected professionals in the fashion industry. She has strutted the catwalk for Tommy Hilfiger, Jason Wu,Alexander McQueen,SUNO, Catherine Malandrino,Ally Rehmtullah,Rachel Roy, Charlotte Ronson, Tony Burch and Vivienne Westwood among others. Her photos have been taken by some of the prominent photographers in the industry like Russell James, her mentor Fadil Berisha, Josh Ollin, Mario Torres, Patrick Demarchelier, to mention a few.

Flaviana has graced the catwalks of Tanzania,South Africa,Japan,Lagos,Bahamas, New York, London, and Paris.She has also appeared on billboards for Edgars and FEMA and television commercials for AIRTEL(PAN AFRICA),KFC and BP.

Flaviana won the Model of the Year 2011 award at the Arise Magazine Fashion week in Lagos, Nigeria. Flaviana was also part of Top Shop campaign in Europe & USA,New Look campaign,Kenzo campaign and TiGi hair campaign. Flavaina was featured in various prestigious magazines including Essence,i-D Magazine, Wonderland,True Love,Glamour,Marie Clare,Bang,Flare,Dar Live,Instyle,Italian Vogue,Nu Woman,Wanted,You Inspire,Nylon magazine, Glass magazine, Arise Magazine, FA Japan, Dazed and Confuse Magazine,Grazia magazine and the high fashion L’Officiel Paris magazine. She has also modeled for the catalogues of Macy ,Phat pham,Chanel,YSL,Hockley and Sheri Hill, among others.

Apart from her modeling career, Flaviana is also turning her attention to charity. She is Angel Ambassador of Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) along with Kim Kardashian, Nicola Breytenbach-Steiner, and Selita Banks. Kim, Nicola, and Selita are working closely with Russell Simmons on various charities in Africa. And she has also worked with Usher Raymond through Usher New Look Foundation and Mama Bush for Malaria No More.Through her foundation – Flaviana Matata Foundation – she is reaching out and helping women and children of her home country Tanzania through various charity activities. Flaviana is also the Goodwill Ambassador of Tanzania Mitindo House – a Tanzanian charity.

In addition, Flaviana is working with Life project for Africa, and has worked with various philanthropists in different projects including  Donald Trump.Flaviana Matata is available for various engagements through her agent.

FASHION N KIDS

For both boys and girls, a pair of comfortable, loose-fitting pants is essential for running around. Kids are hard on their clothes, so for playing, opt for less expensive clothing so you won't mind if it gets roughed up

When dressing for fancier events, don't get carried away with looks and sacrifice comfort. Make sure you communicate with your child when buying more formal clothes, which often often come in styles that mirror adult fashions

They may not like these kinds of clothes to begin with, but if you shop together you should be able to find something suitable

Shoes are something you should definitely take extra time to shop for, and be prepared to spend a little more money

Make sure the shoes are comfortable and in good shape. Buy a good pair of athletic shoes and a comfortable pair of dressier shoes

Oxford-style shoes for boys and Mary Janes for girls are clasic and versatile options