Dia&Co CEO and Co-Founder Nadia Boujarwah joined moderator Julie Tong, rapper, singer, and body positivity advocate Lizzo, tennis champion, designer, and founder/CEO of EleVen by Venus, Venus Williams, and designer and CFDA Board Member Tracy Reese. Nadia announced the #TeeUpChange initiative and invited 5 models to walk the runway and show off their printed T-shirts.
Each tee features a saying by a champion for size-inclusivity, including Designer and CFDA member Christian Siriano, design student Marissa Peterutti, along with Venus Williams, Lizzo, and Tracy Reese.
This campaign, in conjunction with the CFDA, will raise money to help equip emerging designers with the tools and education they need to design for all sizes. As Lizzo said, “I was myself my whole life and now I’m trendy. I don’t want to fade away with the next trend so I’m going to make myself undeniable. Dia&Co is undeniable.” Learn more about #TeeUpChange and purchase your own shirt to help change the future of the industry!
Watching Keynote Speaker Gabourey Sidibe Profess Her Love For N*SYNC’s JC
Okay, so there was much more to Gabourey’s time on stage than when she bonded with CeCe over their shared admiration of JC from N*SYNC, but nonetheless, we felt it was important to call-out for its memorable hilarity! The Oscar-nominated actress discussed everything from how she only went to the audition for her breakout role in Precious because of subway delays to her early job at the phone company. She had the entire audience laughing until they cried. If you missed it, it’s worth watching.
The Stunning Furniture Vignettes by Hayneedle
This year, theCURVYcon’s venue was bigger and better than ever before—which means there was a lot more walking (and a lot more plus size clothing shopping!). Thankfully, the venue was outfitted with gorgeous furniture vignettes provided by Hayneedle, our favorite online furniture and home decor shop.
When shoppers needed a break from the day’s action, they were greeted by four sitting areas inspired by Dia&Co’s private label brands Molly & Isadora, Ryan Wythe, Sabrina Collective, and East Adeline. They even outfitted our backstage Green Room for panelists to enjoy (pictured above).
Thoughtfully placed near bathrooms, staircases, and open areas—everywhere you turned, you found a completely different but gorgeously styled vignette inspired by the trends we’re loving this fall season. Dia&Co’s own Ashby even got to chat with Hayneedle’s Mary Allen, the graphic designer and stylist who created the looks!
Love the pieces featured? Learn how you can get the look (and 10% off!) thanks to a special offer from our friends at Hayneedle!
Body Positive Besties Nia Jax and Nikki Bella
The coolest thing about theCURVYcon is the sense of community and the incredible friendships that arise from the event. But while it’s easy to be friends with every curvy fashionista at theCURVYcon, life outside of TCC doesn’t always make it easy to find in-person friendships with body-positive women. Hearing how professional wrestlers Nia Jax and Nikki Bella admire each other and all that their bodies can achieve was inspiring. It’s rare to hear straight-sized women like Nikki advocate for body positivity and being an ally to the plus size community, and we hope that she sets the tone for others.
The Unapologetic Celebration of Confident Women
Far too often, both in the media and in reality, women are seen criticizing one another women, but it was as if everyone walking into theCURVYcon took a vow at the door to leave all judgement behind and only lift each other up. Instead of being criticized for being too confident, women were praised for this spirit and basked in it. Compliments were always within earshot. Cheers, squeals, and hugs were happening everywhere you looked. Everyone was dressed to the nines, feeling confident enough to try that outfit they may otherwise be uncomfortable in. To say it was an empowering weekend would be an understatement.
If you missed any of our coverage of theCURVYcon on social media, have no fear! You can see every time we went live on our Facebook page and find our favorite highlights in our Instagram Stories. Want to come next year? Visit theCURVYcon‘s website to book your ticket early and procure your spot!
Green room and Molly & Isadora Hayneedle images by Thaddeus Rombauer/Getty Images for theCURVYcon
#TeeUpChange panel and presentation photos by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for Dia&Co
Event photos by Daniel Zuchnik/Dia&Co
