OCTOBER 2013
EXCLUSIVE
PINK
ISSUE IN HONOR OF
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
HAUTE CURVES
LA FASHION WEEK
cover credits Hair and Make-up: Arion Deville for Aida Cosmetics Stylist: Tiffany Kaelin Knight Photographer: Nichole Alex MODEL: CHENESE LEWIS
MASTHEAD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF \ Tiffany Kaelin Knight MANAGING EDITOR \ Courtney Mina EXECUTIVE FASHION EDITOR \ Bella Styles POWERHOUSE EDITOR \ Nichole Alex LATIN AMERICA EDITOR-AT-LARGE \ Jennifer Barreto-Leyva SKORCH TV PRODUCER \ Jovanna Reyes SKORCH TV HOSTS Shanda Freeman - Passion Jonesz - Rosie Mercado Nicole Zepeda - Jessica Likas CO-FOUNDER \ Carrie Woomer PUBLISHER & OWNER \ JESSICA KANE
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loving what i’m by Tiffany Kaelin-Knight Editor-in-Chief
color + color + color
domino dollhouse
asos curve
new look for asos
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skorch style
torrid
pink clove
Zelie for She city chic
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editorial
edgeplus
EDITORIAL CREDITS Photographer: Kym Fajardo Model / Makeup / Styling: Miss Lala Liberty
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haute curves SKORCH SPOTLIGHT Los Angeles, CA, July 25, 2013 – Join us again for a spectacular evening of fashion and style as Elite Curves International (ECI) presents HAUTE Curves, LA Fashion Week. This historical event marked the first plus size fashion show to be held during LA Fashion Week. HAUTE Curves will showcase independent designers that cater to sizes 12 and above. In addition to being a ground breaking event, ECI also has a charitable aspect by partnering with City of Hope, a local charity which provides emotional and educational support to those touched with breast cancer and facilitate breast health care services. City of Hope has been designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute. It also is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of 23 leading cancer centers created to improve the quality and effectiveness of cancer care. On October 12, 2013 HAUTE Curves LA Fashion Week will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, located in downtown Los Angeles at 7:30 pm, preceding a VIP Red Carpet from 6pm-7pm. Tickets On Sale Now >> http://bit.ly/hautecurvestickets
haute curves SKORCH SPOTLIGHT
SKORCH SPOTLIGHT Q. How did you get started in the Plus industry? A. I discovered the plus industry in the summer of 2000 by hearing a commercial on the radio for an open call for a modeling convention specifically for plus models. To make a long story short, I went to the open call and got selected, paid tons of money to go to a convention where absolutely nothing happened for my career. Afterwards I decided to do research online about the industry, which is where I found the plus community and discovered that I didn’t have the stats to be an agency signed plus size model. Discouraged but not defeated I searched for other opportunities to gain exposure for myself online, which is how I stumbled across the Miss Plus America Pageant. I competed and won the national title of Miss Plus America in 2003 and made history by being the first to ever hold the title. In 2004 I relocated to Los Angeles to pursue my career fulltime and haven’t turned back since! Q. Tell us all the things you are involved in. A. I am a host, I am always traveling hosting various events throughout the country and I host the #1 podcast for plus size women- PLUS Model Radio, I am currently the face of Aida Cosmetics “Confidence & Glamour” Campaign. I am an actress that has appeared on a hit television series and in movies that are available on outlets such as On-Demand, Netflix, and Hulu. I am a community organizer that runs a Meet-Up group for the LA Plus Community. I am a philanthropist active in various non-profit organizations. I am also an entrepreneur with my own
company Chenese Lewis Productions, LLC with several projects in the works. Q. What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you and what would you like to have happen next? A. It’s hard to pick one thing. Having the opportunity to pursue the career of my dreams has granted me many exciting moments! Some of my exciting moments so far have been winning the title of Miss Plus America, appearing on a national game show and winning $69,000, appearing on a hit television series on BET, interviewing many of my all-time favorite celebrities at the Essence Music Festival…..too many moments to decide! What would I like to happen next? Lots more exciting moments! Q. The best advice you can give someone wanting to be involved in Plus size modeling/acting/hosting? A. The best advice I can give is do your research, 13 years ago when I was trying to break into the industry there weren’t all the resources, workshops, and blogs there are today. There is no excuse to not be knowledge about the industry to know what is acceptable and what is not. There is no excuse to not ask for referrals if you are not sure about working with a company, when almost everyone is at your fingertips through social media. There is no excuse presenting yourself in an unprofessional way when you can Google step by step instructions on what you need to do. If you are waiting for someone to give you a “hookup” and launch your career, it’s not happening, everyone has to pay their dues.
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Q. Tell us about the event you are promoting. A. I am promoting Breast Cancer Awareness for Haute Curves LA Fashion Week. The 2nd annual event will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 7:30pm. The event will showcase independent plus size designers that cater to sizes 12 and above and the fashion show will immediately be followed by an after party. Tickets are currently on sale at www.elitecurvesinternational.com. Q. Why is it important to have events like this? A. Events like these are important because they celebrate size diversity in the fashion industry where plus size women usually are not accepted. Not only is it a confidence boost for the women walking down the runway, but for the attendees as well! It’s inspirational to see someone strut down the runway you can relate to, whether it’s by size or ethnicity. Q. Tell us how it benefits breast cancer? A. Haute Curves LA Fashion Week serves as a fundraiser for breast cancer, with the benefiting charity being the City of Hope. City of Hope is a local charity which provides emotional and educational support to those touched with breast cancer and facilitate breast health care services. City of Hope has been designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute. It also is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of 23 leading cancer centers created to improve the quality and effectiveness of cancer care. Q. Why was it important for you to “bare all” A. I exposed my breasts to expose awareness about breast cancer. It’s one of the leading causes of death among women. To me the photo represents self-acceptance, self-love, and self-awareness. Visit Chenese online at www.CheneseLewis.com.
IMAGE CREDITS Hair and Make-up: Arion Deville for Aida Cosmetics Stylist: Tiffany Kaelin Knight Photographer: Nichole Alex MODEL: CHENESE LEWIS
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// CREDITS // Photography: Captured by Chelzea Model: Griselangel Paula Styling Coordinator: Shannah Azimullah Makeup & Hair: Johanna Javier Courtesy of: Dorothy Combs Agency
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