The FWCurve Fashion Show at Fashion Week Columbus 2024 was a standout, further cementing its status as an essential event for the plus size fashion community. As Columbus continues to grow as the third-largest fashion capital, this show and event highlighted the diversity, creativity, and talent within the plus size space.
Max Dixon, a key figure behind this production and a passionate board member of the Columbus Fashion Council, championed the event, ensuring it was more than just a showcaseโit became a celebration of plus size fashion and culture. Her commitment to inclusivity and amplifying plus size designers was evident throughout the event.
Reflecting on FWCurve, Dixon shares, โEarlier this year, I was diagnosed with a heart condition, and it made me really reflect on what I wanted toย leave behindย in this world. I realized that my heart, quiteย literally,ย beats for this communityโfor creating spaces where everyone feels seen, celebrated, and empowered. I wanted to build a legacy that would open doors for others.ย FWCurveย was that dream brought to lifeโand you helped make that possible by sharing our vision and amplifying our message to reach so many more people.โ
And did Max and her team deliver. Guests were treated to a fashion marketplace, featuring various brands and designers who also showcased later that evening. Not only was there shopping, but there was also fit testing by Victoriaโs Secret, as they are headquartered in Columbus. They heard our (the plus size communityโs) callouts and were in the house to get a better understanding of fit, needs, and opportunities for them.
In addition to the FWCurve Runway, attendees could shop from vendors who offered a range of plus size clothing options, from indie labels to more established brands, bringing the shopping experience directly to the audience. It was a true fashion loverโs paradise, with something for everyone.
Two powerful panel conversations framed the event. The first explored the โBusiness of plus size fashion,โ addressing industry gaps, consumer needs, and the ways brands can rise to meet demand. Plus Model Mag founder, Madeline Figueroa Jones; plus size stylist, Kelly Augustine, designers Suzanne Vinnik of byVinnik and Valerie Mayenย (Project Runway alum) of Yellowcake Shop Clothing all dropped gems in a panel moderated by Marie Denee. Conversations were rich, engaging and the crowd was captivated.
The second panel dove into the โPlus Size Communityโ which centered around body positivity and representation, offering refreshing perspectives on inclusivity in fashion and why it remains vital in 2024. Moderated by TCF EIC, Marie Denee, 3 influencers and community leaders joined in for a robust conversation.
Big & Tall Influencer, Destin Grayson @Carpe_DMG, is a digital content creatorย based out of Columbus, Ohio, represented the Big & Tall fashion community; Elizabeth Chinn, @SnackinCbus is the cofounder of Fat Babes Club of Columbusโ an organization devoted to buildingย advocacy, community, visibility, and resources for folks with marginalized bodies by celebrating babes of all sizes, gender identities and expressions, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and all abilities in Columbus,ย Ohioย and beyond.ย Representing the 50+ community, Britta Borden-Tabor @thebrittatabor is a prominent digital influencer, speaker, and mentor dedicated to empowering women to embrace their authenticity and live boldly in their truth.
This plus size community conversation touched on social responsibility, leveraging their platforms to affect change, protecting their communities and navigating trolls. It was a much needed conversation, especially since our plus size events and community feeling has shiftedโฆ
โThis event was about more than justย fashion; it was about creating aย communityย and showcasing the beauty of inclusivity. Your influence brought attention to this important movement, and I cannot thank you enough for your role in making FWCurve an unforgettable, empowering experience,โ Dixon shares with TCF.
Before the fashion show began, we also enjoyed an Eloquii fashion presentation by Janiece Bryant and she showcases the latest finds and pieces from Eloquii, a brand that we have all known and loved.
The featured FWCurve Runway Designers included:
On the runway, designers like Jibri, YellowCake Shop Clothing and byVinnik brought bold, fashion-forward collections to life, with looks that embraced curves and celebrated the beauty of plus size bodies. Each designer spoke to the modern, stylish plus size consumer, with pieces ranging from plus size bridal options to high-end fashion to accessible ready-to-wear.
Over 50 plus size models were brought out to give us range, diversity in size, shape, and age, and style! We were treated to designers both known and brand new, debuting their latest collections that had us inspired, intrigued, and interested! To say that they had our attention is an understatementโฆ
Without further ado, here are the plus size and size-inclusive designers who showcased at FWCurve:
Jibri
Sopi Mitilโ Size Inclusive petite clothing
YellowCake Clothing
The Aya Emporium
Sylvia Piechulla
Amber Nicole Clothing
By Vinnik
If you are not aware, Columbus is often dubbed the third-largest fashion capital in the U.S., and it proved itself yet again as a hub for fashion innovation. The FWCurve show amplified the cityโs influence on the plus size fashion landscape, making it a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the evolution of the industry.
On the impact that this event can and will have on the plus size industry, Max shares with us, โIf Columbus, Ohio can successfully put on an event with over 50 plus size models and bring in independent designers who are passionate about showcasing plus fashion, it demonstrates that with ambition and a genuine desire to tell this narrative, it can be done. If other places arenโt showing it, itโs likely because the right people arenโt in the right positions to project this plus size story. FWCurve proves that when people are committed to it, they will figure it out and make it happen.โ
The energy, the fashion, and the community spirit made this yearโs FWCurve Premiere Runway Fashion Show a canโt-miss event for plus size fashion enthusiasts. With Max Dillon leading the charge, it was clear this is just the beginning of something even bigger.
