It is no secret that Swagga Kings has for years feature plus size models. We have been champions of the plus fashion industry since the day we first published. After being asked to assist a few new ventures that focus on the plus community, a few reoccurring issues keep circling within the plus community that we feel need to be talked about openly.  Late March 2012 SK caught up with an up and coming plus size model Essie Golden. In her interview she talked about 2 issues that SK will continue to explore. Today we will take a peek in to our chat on weight and when is big to big.

I love to people watch, so while traveling for work I took the opportunity to just observe them. People wear anything to the airport in an effort to be comfortable unless they are on business, then they are in suits or business casual attire. Personally, I have to be cute at the airport you never know who you will meet. So what do you wear while traveling? I am glad you asked. I took pictures of a few individuals that got it right.

Be Edgy: You can be edgy and comfy as Martina proves here wearing black over-the-knee riding boots with jean skinnies, rolled up boyfriend blazer and colorful scarf.

One of my biggest pet peeves is woman looking like they just stepped off the short bus when they are at work or out and about. I know I know, being a stylist this should bother me, but it is just starting to get ridiculous. Being busy is no excuse for landing on the “Walmart” video. I know we should not judge a book by its cover but we do, get over it and create a better cover. The point is that your clothing should reflect who you are and show your personality.

Something on my mind... wont somebody please tell me whats RIGHT!

Recently ( since October) I have discovered this renewed interest in hosiery of different prints. I mean from colored fish nets to striped thigh highs... 14 years ago I would of thought nothing of it simply trying to imitate the Babysitters club or Clueless! Awh or even need I say Romy and Michelles highschool Reunion with thier flirty little minis and killer platform sandals perplexed in their boring dead end jobs. Does being young and beautiful in America really pay off. If so can we really afford to be bias of females whom are comfortable with their sexuality and yet just love to exploit their legs?

     So I succeeded in being curious.... On December 22, 2011 and December 29th, 2012 I drove to the city to go and check out the Topless Kareoke competition at the Gentlemans Sports Lounge "ALLSTARS" on the North west side of I-H 10. My first experience was awckward at first because I wasnt sure if I would be fashionably attired for the event. To my surprise my costume that I had created was perfect for the occasion. Rehearsing the song: " Something Kinda funny" from the original Spice Girls Album proved to be a perfect act. Now, notice that I mentioned "Topless" Kareoke... ( ha ha ha ha) I ended up  wearing a sheer white hankerchief blouse that vaguely showed my pasties... with a black/ neon pink garter belt accompanmied by a tight pair of lace skimpy boyshorts. To top of the look I complimented my feet with glamour glitter nail polish and 6 inch gold wedges. 3 hours prior I manicured and applied nail tips. Left my kinky curls teased and decided to exxagerate my cosmetics with  red rouge on my already velomptuous lips! ALL I can say is I looked to die for! For once I wasnt applying cosmetics or dressing some one else.... I was a bit nervous the first 15 seconds and slowly draped of my wool camel colored coat. When I realized I had the audience's attention from their reaction of my costume I began to dance around the left pole then noticing the exotic dancer to my right I began to mimic her and bring her into the act. It was awesome...They chose a 5'7 petitte brunette bombshell that could of easily passed for Lilith or Eve! The song was over before I knew it and I was still singing adlibs adding on to the repetitive chorus when the dj announced for the crowd to give me an applause. All in all I got so caught up in singing that I forgot to take of my sash that was holding my halter top in place! The manager of the club quickly came to introduce himself to me after I went back to my table and asked that I wait till the show was over. He offered me an alcoholic beverage of choice but I refused due to being on meds. So he quickly rebounded and offered a soda or water, which I accepted.  He sat with me briefly and we got more acquainted. I soon eased up and began to enjoy the other singers. Over all I had competed with about 7-10 other contestestants... and there were all but maybe 3 or 4 females that sang very well and got into character. The men were just drunk and silly swinging off the poles.... At around 12:45 they announced the 3 winners of the $50.00 rounds. I collected my prize money and then asked to be excused because I didnt want to end up locked out of my friends' apt... they had ironically tested me at the same time. Just before I left the manager had reminded me to return for the next weeks round and informed me that he would be calling me for the $1000.00 round Jan. 12th, 2012! I made it. In one night! I was so excited! I crashed out tired and excited all at the same time... Losing my voice for the next four days. The next morning on friday I put gas in my sisters car and went shopping for my daughters. Mission accomplished. 

So, my sister’s finally done it, she’s got hitched with the guy she’s been with for seven years and I couldn’t be more happy for her. I’m even happier that after trying on dress, after dress, after dress and attending more wedding shows that I can count on both hands, she finally was able to find the dress of her dreams.

    What are you thinking about this holiday season? Hmm... To be honest I havent been thinking about much. My mother nagging me on the daily has me disillusioned and slightly unmotivated to get into the Christmas cheer. Funny I havent been griping about much either... I am finally settling in the idea of "what ever will be, will be! For my children I had hoped to payoff the WALMART lay away plan for  Acer notebooks. Not happening because the part time hours were cut from Saldivars . So Ive continued with employment seeking. May of had some glory today due to completing an application for Billy Bob's Hamburgers and turning it in. Being on leave from college ( IADT) has me some what bored and almost lost. Thank Goodness I re- did admissions for Febuary 2012.

    I was the type that would always say: "I would rather strip at a gentlemans club then go back to fast food." Havent had to do a fast food job since I was 15 and 16 years old. Well theres no nudie bars here in this small town. LOL... aside from that I did take the liberty of calling up a few places last night in the city of San Antonio Texas to inquire about auditions to dance. Iron and fate love me... so it would be so ackwardly funny if I ended up doing both!

     So heres the scoop. I went through the trouble of actually interviewing a former pro football player about the details concerning dancers in the gentlemans club atmosphere. His name will remain anonymous due to particualar circumstances. He straight out told me that Dancers make their best money doing lap dances ( $20.00 every 5 minutes)... He said it really didnt  matter how they looked as long as they knew how to work what they had. He also mentioned that the pole dancing was sort of like window shopping. I couldnt help but entertain the idea if I had what it took. How difficult  could it be? Then I thought back to all the wild stories that one of my latin exes had mentioned; even the videos of some of his ex girlfriends werent all that. Yet all of them shared one thing in common: they all moved like fluid. It was almost like slipping into a trance. It was mesmerizing almost addictive to watch their hips. I know it sounds strange but Im just being honest.  At that time( 2008) I was a girlfriend in training . The sudden sex appeal that comes with a womans natural curves and yet the dignification of  innocense contrasted with  nudity.... How ingenious.

I want to share one of my latest shopping experiences with you and I’m sure you’ll be able to find yourself in my scenario. A month or two ago I went searching for a dress to wear to church because I didn't want to wear anything in my closet. Normally, I would order a dress from one of the random catalogs I receive to my home. Macys.com and I have a wonderful love affair going on or I’ll try one of the many overpriced plus size clothing websites. However, I was working on a tight budget and didn’t have time to order online.

   Kardashian Overload!

 The cover of US weekly reads “Kim Defends Her Love” and there’s a cheesy picture of a scantily clad Kim K. and her husband Kris Humphries sitting on a beach chair, next to a pool.

 First, my question is… Who’s causing her to defend this “Love,” and second, would they please stop?...

        Todays blog might come off as random rambling or mere slight judgement calls from an individual that has observed much  detail and insight from her experiences in the San Antonio Fashion industry of Texas. Hmmm... Curious title I choose for this fashion Blog... curious indeed. Well lets start from the beginning- my first fashion show that I ever had anything to do with was the grand opening IADT spring Finale back in 2008! I was assigned a model provided by the school, her name was Victoria..... I dont remember her age but she was incredibly sweet in personality. The school of Iadt was my first mainstream event. It was very well organized, and well covered by local media. It was the most amazing opportunity in my life because it would be the first time ever that I would meet a genuine celebrity. Which at the time was Nick Varreros of Project Runway season 2... even though I only had one garment to show off it was still a genuine 15 seconds of fame. The designer students also were provided VIP seating for their family members which pretty much went out the window since some 500 guest showed!!! The turn out was successful.

LMAO...... hmmmm Ive wanted to write about this topic for years... and for the most part I have always been in between on opinions that apply to this rhetorical question & this is why. A person's preference of style doesnt mean  "JACK!"

   First off Im sure we can all relate to that parent or other relative that would jump on our backs before going to school !!! Yes gentleman, the grannie or mom that would tell you to tuck in your shirt or grab a belt.. or pull up those pants... Or ladies what about before going to that special first school dance or preparing for church. Cant you hear your mother squealing in over your shoulder.... sweety make sure  there are no wrinkles in your blouse...  that skirt is too short; or  those heels are too high! Take of all that glamour shadow and lip stick... you are much to young for that!

        Now I realize that these generalizations dont apply to every female and male and from what I have observed through  out my 28 years of life is that style and fashion are best to be taken in to moderation with accessories, clothing pieces, & yes even grooming. Dresscodes are in place to uphold a particular image of society operating within different subcultures. Even places of employment operate with in these social institutions. It is almost essential and natural.