From a faith filled reminder to take up space to a runway celebrating plus size style, THICKCON 2026 brought fashion, friendship, legacy and a whole lot of love to Atlanta.
Why I Wanted to Tell This Story
As the editor of The Curvy Fashionista, I have been covering plus size fashion, the people creating it and the conversations shaping how we see ourselves in it. I pay attention to the clothes, of course, but I am just as interested in the people pushing the industry forward, the designers taking risks and the women who keep showing up in spaces that have not always made room for them.
That is why THICKCON 2026 caught my attention.
I wanted to experience the event firsthand, see the fashion for myself and talk with the people behind the recognition. I wanted to hear what the women building this community had to say about their work, their experiences and what it takes to keep creating opportunities for plus size women.
Being in the room matters. Watching the models walk, noticing the details in the collections, hearing the audience respond and speaking directly with the honorees gave me a perspective that a press release or a collection of event photos could not provide.
At The Curvy Fashionista, we believe plus size fashion deserves coverage that goes beyond announcing who attended and what they wore. The people behind the clothes, the businesses creating opportunities and the women challenging expectations deserve to have their stories told with care, context and personality.
That is the perspective I brought to THICKCON. I wanted to celebrate the people doing the work, share their words in their own voices and give our readers a closer look at the community helping shape the future of plus size fashion.
Have you ever had life spoken into you?
That is the feeling I carried home from THICKCON 2026. Not just the feeling of having attended an event, seen some clothes and caught up with familiar faces. I mean the kind of feeling that stays with you because somebody said something you needed to hear, somebody showed up in a way that made you smile, and somewhere between the fashion, the fellowship and the music, you were reminded of what happens when people make room for one another.
Held Oct. 17 at Westside Cultural Arts Center in Atlanta, the second annual THICKCON brought together plus size fashion, live entertainment, industry honors and a community of women who understood the assignment. Come as you are. Celebrate who you are. And, for the love of all things fabulous, do not make yourself smaller to make somebody else comfortable.
Before the program even began, those large, illuminated THICKCON letters had already caught my eye. There was something about seeing the name displayed so prominently that made me think about what this event could become. Year two, and already, there was a sense of something being built. Not just another date on the calendar, but a space with room to grow, evolve and create opportunities for the people who need it.
The black and white decor gave the room an elegant touch, and the runway was waiting for its moment. I even took a couple of walks on it myself while the team prepared. Naturally, I had to imagine what it would feel like to see the models come through, showing off their looks while a room full of people cheered them on.
As guests arrived, the space filled with hugs, conversations and familiar faces reconnecting. New connections were happening, too. And as somebody who loves watching a community come together, I noticed how much of the experience was already happening before anyone stepped onto that runway.
That was the thing about THICKCON 2026. The fashion was a major part of the celebration, but the people were the heart of it.
Shawnda Stovall Had a Message for Every Plus Size Woman in the Room
The program opened with host Nikki Lee welcoming guests, but keynote speaker Shawnda Stovall brought a message that deserved to travel well beyond the walls of Westside Cultural Arts Center.
A speaker, teacher, certified master life coach and trauma informed faith coach, Stovall spoke about self love, embracing who you are and refusing to settle in relationships. Her delivery was funny, direct and rooted in faith. She had the kind of presence that made you feel like she was speaking directly to you, even with a room full of women listening.
Now, we see self love everywhere. It’s in our social media feeds, on inspirational quote cards and in captions reminding us to know our worth. But there is a difference between scrolling past a message and sitting in a room with somebody who makes you stop and actually think about what those words mean in your own life.
Stovall did not come to offer a cute little reminder and send everybody on their way.
“If you have no enemies, that means you have no table,” she said.
Whew. Let’s sit with that for a minute.
Sometimes, being visible means people will have opinions. Sometimes, speaking up means somebody will disagree. And sometimes, the very thing that makes you stand out is the thing somebody else wishes you would tone down.
But what if the answer is not to become more palatable? What if the answer is to stop treating other people’s discomfort as a reason to dim your light?
When I asked Stovall what every plus size woman should do starting today, she brought the conversation back to faith, purpose and the value of every woman in the room.
“God did not make a mistake when He made you,” she said. “You were created on purpose and by design, and when God made you, He made no one else like you.”
She continued by reminding women that their past mistakes do not erase their purpose. And their clothing sizes certainly do not disqualify them from making a difference.
“Don’t let nobody tell you that because we are a size 18, 20, 22, 24 or whatever, that we cannot be used for His purpose, for His passion, for His glory,” she said. “And that you cannot make an impact in this world or in somebody’s life.”
Then she gave us the line I hope every woman who needed that reminder carried home.
“Girl, take up space and make them pay attention to who you are.”
I love a woman who understands the assignment.
For too long, plus size women have been expected to negotiate their visibility. Dress this way. Avoid that silhouette. Be confident, but not too confident. Show up, but do not take up too much room.
Stovall’s message was a reminder that your worth is not up for a vote. You do not need everybody’s approval to live in your purpose, wear the outfit, pursue the opportunity or walk into a room knowing you belong there.
And honestly, we could all stand to hear that a little more often.
THICKCON 2026 Celebrated the People Building Plus Size Fashion
Of course, we cannot talk about a celebration of plus size fashion without talking about the people who have spent years helping the industry move forward.
One of the afternoon’s meaningful honors went to Gwen DeVoe, the former owner of Full Figured Fashion Week, who received the THICKCON Icon Award.
When I spoke with DeVoe, she gave me a title update that made me smile.
“I’m no longer auntie, I’ve been crowned as Motha,” she said.
And listen, Motha has a nice ring to it.
But beneath the playful moment was a much bigger story about legacy, influence and the work that continues to matter long after an event has ended.
Asked how she felt about receiving the award, DeVoe said, “I’m feeling very blessed, and just grateful that even though my event was retired several years ago, we are still getting the accolades, which means the event was definitely impactful.”
That is what legacy looks like. You do the work, create opportunities and open doors, and years later, people are still talking about what you helped make possible.
Full Figured Fashion Week played a role in creating visibility and opportunities for plus size designers, models and businesses. DeVoe’s recognition at THICKCON connected that history to the community continuing to build today.
Because let’s be honest: Getting plus size women onto a runway is one thing. Creating opportunities for designers to reach customers, models to grow their careers and businesses to serve an audience that has historically been overlooked is another.
Both matter.
And the people who helped build those spaces deserve their flowers while they are here to receive them.
DeVoe’s moment was a reminder that the work does not become less meaningful just because the original platform has closed. The influence can continue through the people who were inspired, the careers that developed and the new spaces that take shape.
That is a legacy worth celebrating.
Donisha Hill Says Plus Size Models Need to Keep Showing Up
If there was one message from THICKCON that aspiring plus size models should keep close, it came from Donisha Hill, who received the THICKCON Model of the Year award.
Hill walked every outfit with energy and confidence. When she received her honor, the emotion of the moment was unmistakable. She was overjoyed and tearful, and the community responded with flowers, encouragement and plenty of love.
But what stood out to me was what she had to say about the work behind the recognition.
When I asked what she wanted plus size women to know, Hill encouraged them to keep showing up for castings, even when the room does not reflect them or the industry makes them question whether they belong.
“Keep showing up because at the end of the day, we don’t walk outside naked. We walk outside, there’s clothes somewhere for us. Keep showing up, keep going to those castings,” she said.
I appreciate that kind of honesty because the conversation about representation can get wrapped up in the beautiful final product. We see the campaign, the runway photos, the finished styling and the model serving face. What we do not always see is what it takes to get there.
Hill spoke candidly about what it feels like to be the only plus size model in a room.
“A lot of times, like I said, sometimes I’m the only girl in the room and it can be hard and I carry a lot, you know, when I go home. It’s still, it’s still a stigma with it, but I keep showing up because somebody has to do it.”
That last part matters.
Somebody has to keep walking into those rooms. Somebody has to challenge the assumptions about which bodies belong in fashion campaigns, on runways and in the conversations where casting decisions are made.
And somebody has to keep reminding the industry that plus size models are not a special request. They are part of the audience, part of the talent pool and part of the fashion conversation.
Hill explained what can happen when decision makers actually see plus size models doing their work.
“When they see us at those castings, they see us walk, they see how beautiful they are, you can see their eyes light up and they want us.”
She also acknowledged that the clothes and opportunities are not always there yet.
“They just haven’t made those clothes yet, but I guarantee you, if you keep showing up, they’re going to start making those clothes.”
There is something powerful about that perspective. Hill is not pretending the barriers have disappeared. She is talking about what it takes to keep pushing against them.
For aspiring models, her advice is straightforward: Keep going. Keep auditioning. Keep showing up, even when you are the only one in the room.
For brands, designers and casting teams, the message should be just as clear. If you want to serve plus size customers, your work needs to reflect that commitment. Representation cannot begin and end with a celebratory post. It needs to show up in the clothes you make, the models you hire and the opportunities you create.
Nzinga Imani Brought Friendship and Legacy Into the Celebration
THICKCON also made space for a more personal kind of recognition.
Actress, creator and model Nzinga Imani, known for playing Angela, Fatima’s friend, on Tyler Perry’s Sistas and Zatima, took part in a tribute to her late friend Wondrea.
It was a reminder that community is not only about the people standing beside us today. It is also about the people who have shaped us, encouraged us and left an imprint that stays with us.
Imani also received the THICKCON Honors in Media award, recognizing her presence in entertainment and a culture where plus size women continue to shape conversations about visibility and representation.
What I appreciated about this part of the afternoon was the reminder that public recognition often carries a private story. Behind the titles, credits and accomplishments are friendships, memories and people who have helped us become who we are.
Fashion can bring us into the room, but relationships are often what make that room mean something.
And that is part of why celebrations like THICKCON matter. They create opportunities to recognize the work people do publicly while acknowledging the community and personal connections that help sustain them.
The THICKCON Runway Was Not Interested in Playing It Safe
Now, let’s get into the clothes, because you know I was paying attention.
The runway featured Accentuate Me Boutique, Fluffy Diva Boutique, 2WthriftATL and Remixx Style House, Cherri Cheek Swimwear, and Onion by Whitney Mero.
And the range of looks was a reminder that plus size fashion does not belong in one little box.
There were gowns, prom inspired looks, swimsuits and pieces that leaned into a sexier side of style. Some looks were made for a grand entrance. Others celebrated the fun of putting together an outfit that feels like you.
The audience responded with cheers and encouragement as the models walked. The energy was not reserved for one particular look, body type or level of experience. The room showed love across the board.
That is the kind of fashion environment I want to see more of. Not one where everybody has to fit the same idea of what looks good, but one where women can experiment, play with their personal style and decide for themselves what makes them feel fabulous.
Because who decided plus size women should have a limited fashion vocabulary, anyway?
The participation of 2WthriftATL and Remixx Style House also brought a thrift and styling perspective to the lineup, while the boutique segments highlighted the individuality that independent fashion businesses bring to the plus size market.
And then there was the denim.
I spotted Sydney West McCoy’s denim collection during the event, and that denim puffer jacket immediately caught my attention. As somebody who appreciates a good denim piece, I loved seeing a familiar wardrobe staple approached in a way that made it feel like the main event.
Denim does not have to mean the same jeans and top combination we have worn a thousand times. A different silhouette, texture or styling choice can make a familiar fabric feel entirely new.
That jacket was a reminder that personal style is not about following a list of things you are supposedly allowed to wear. It is about finding the pieces that speak to you and having fun with them.
Cherri Cheek Swimwear also caught my attention, particularly because The Curvy Fashionista had covered the brand earlier in the year. Seeing the swimwear in person gave me another appreciation for the details.
One green swimsuit stood out for its velvet texture and rhinestone detail on the cheek. It was a little reminder that swimwear can have personality, texture and a point of view. Who says a swimsuit has to be basic?
Another memorable runway moment came when a model proudly showed off her pregnant belly while wearing swimwear.
I appreciated seeing that representation because plus size bodies exist through different stages of life. They are not limited to one shape, one age or one particular version of what fashion campaigns have traditionally shown us.
Women should be able to see themselves in swimwear and runway presentations without their bodies being treated as exceptions that need an explanation.
From denim to swimwear to glamorous gowns, the THICKCON runway offered room for different expressions of style. And that variety was part of the point.
Plus size women can be glamorous, playful, sensual, classic, experimental or all of the above before lunchtime. We do not need to pick one personality and build an entire wardrobe around it.
THICKCON 2026 Was About More Than What We Wear
Fashion may have brought many of us into the room, but the afternoon made space for something bigger.
The honors recognized people whose work has helped shape the industry. Stovall challenged women to embrace their purpose. Hill spoke about the realities of showing up in spaces that do not always make room for plus size models. DeVoe’s recognition celebrated a legacy that continues to influence the community.
And Imani’s tribute to her late friend Wondrea reminded us that the people who shape our lives remain part of our stories.
Each moment offered a different perspective on what it means to build community.
Sometimes it means creating opportunities for the next generation. Sometimes it means telling the truth about how difficult the work can be. Sometimes it means celebrating the people who opened doors before us. And sometimes it means simply showing up, being present and reminding somebody else that they belong.
I think that last part deserves more attention.
There is a difference between telling people they are welcome and creating an environment where they can feel it. The conversations, the cheering, the recognition and the willingness to celebrate different bodies and styles all contributed to the atmosphere at THICKCON.
The event also highlighted the work still ahead. Designers must continue expanding size ranges. Brands need to consider the people missing from their campaigns. Models deserve access to opportunities that allow their careers to grow. And the fashion industry needs to treat plus size consumers as an audience worth serving, not an afterthought.
Celebrating progress does not mean pretending the work is finished.
It means recognizing the people doing the work while encouraging more people to join them.
And Then We Took the Celebration to the Dance Floor
After the runway moments and awards, the David Collins Band brought the event to a close with a live performance. And listen, after an afternoon of fashion, heartfelt speeches and celebrating some incredible women, a little music was exactly what we needed.
Earlier in the day, I had seen Arleisha Marshall rehearsing with the band as the team prepared for the event. Even during sound check, they were bringing the house down. I remember thinking, if this is what rehearsal sounds like, we’re in for a treat later.
And they did not disappoint.
By the time the closing performance rolled around, the runway had served its purpose, the honorees had received their flowers and the room was ready to enjoy itself. The music gave everyone another opportunity to connect, dance and celebrate an afternoon that had already given us plenty to talk about.
There is something special about watching a room full of people who came together for fashion simply enjoy being in each other’s company. No speeches needed. No runway cues. Just good music, good company and a reason to stay a little longer.
Honestly, isn’t that what community should feel like?
THICKCON 2026 Left Us With Something to Think About
I walked into THICKCON 2026 excited to see the fashion. I left thinking about the women I had spoken with and the stories they trusted me to share.
Shawnda Stovall reminded us that our size does not determine our purpose. Gwen DeVoe showed us what it looks like when your work continues to make an impact years after the final curtain call. Donisha Hill spoke candidly about being the only plus size model in the room and why she refuses to stop showing up. And Nzinga Imani reminded us that the people who help shape our lives deserve to be remembered and celebrated.
Those conversations mattered to me because they spoke to experiences that extend well beyond the runway.
As a fashion journalist, I love a good collection. Give me thoughtful construction, an interesting silhouette and a designer who is not afraid to have a little fun with fashion, and you have my attention. But I also know that the clothes are only part of the conversation.
Who gets to wear them? Who gets hired to model them? Who is creating opportunities for the next generation? And who is making sure the people who helped build this industry receive the recognition they deserve?
These are questions worth asking, especially when we are talking about an industry that still has work to do when it comes to plus size inclusion.
What I appreciated about THICKCON was that the celebration did not ignore those conversations. They were happening onstage, backstage and in the interviews I had throughout the afternoon.
And I keep coming back to something Donisha Hill said: “Keep showing up.”
Such simple advice, but there is a lot behind those three words.
Keep showing up when the opportunities feel limited. Keep showing up when you are the only person who looks like you in the room. Keep creating, designing, modeling and building spaces where the next woman does not have to fight quite as hard to be seen.
THICKCON is only in its second year, and I am interested to see how it continues to grow. There is room for more designers, more conversations and more opportunities to introduce audiences to the people shaping plus size fashion.
As for me? I will be keeping an eye on what comes next.
Because if there is one thing I took away from this afternoon, it is that our community has plenty of talent, personality and stories worth telling.
And as Shawnda Stovall so boldly reminded us, “Girl, take up space and make them pay attention to who you are.”
Now, that’s a message I can get behind.
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