Excerpts from OCT Issue of SKORCH Magazine

OCTOBER 2007 Text Excerpts from SKORCH Magazine

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THE SCENE: SPOTTED!

ART OF CURVES FASHION SHOW NY 9.21.07

The Art of Curves fashion show was a classy affair and lived up to expectations. Bigger & Better Thangs Entertainment in association with HSS&A.INC. , E.Woods & Co. and Smooth Z Productions produced the event to bring hype to the "curvier" community with the first annual The Art of Curves plus-size fashion show. The Fashion show featured Spring designs from Svoboda, Abby Z, Monif C, MEWV Sustainables, BGU, and more. Spotted mingling were Gwen Devoe of Devoe Signature Events, Sharon Quinn of MoNique's F.A.T. Chance, Monif C., Natalie Ferraro of +plushus, and Madeline Figuera-Jones of Plus Model Magazine.

SVOBODA/SCHOLZ TRUNK SHOW NY - LEE LEE'S VALISE 9.20.07
Champagne and fashion is always a wonderful pairing, add in the part where you can talk the very designer who makes the clothes on your body, that makes for a delightful evening. Lee Lee's Valise hosted a beautiful and fun gathering to showcase the spring designs of designers, Jessica Svoboda and Anna Scholz. It was a treat to meet these amazing women and the always-inspiring owner of Lee Lee's, Lisa Kelly. (See full pictures HERE)

CURVY GIRL CLOTHING FASHION SHOW WA 9.15.07
Over a hundred people lined the runway of the elegant second floor gallery of the Camas Public Library in Camas, Washington, in anticipation of Curvy Girl Clothing’s fall fashion show. The runway models looked sophisticated and sexy as they showcased this fall’s hottest trends: autumn-inspired jewel tones, flattering asymmetrical prints, and bold gold accessories. Chocolate browns, lush greens, teals, rich plums, and amber yellows dominated the collection’s color scheme, while classic black was refreshed with strong, yet feminine, details. Immediately following the show, guests were invited to the nearby boutique to try on Curvy Girl Clothing and shop.Gorgeous shoes and boots from Luxe Shoes were also on display. The Curvy Girl Clothing company is preparing for the grand opening of their first storefront location in Portland, Oregon (date TBA). Until then, head to curvygirlclothing.com to shop their online store. (See full pictures HERE)





BLOG REVIEW

BLOG Title: Too Fat for Fashion
by Cori Stoddard
SKORCH Online Editor

As a result of writing a blog for SKORCH Magazine (http://www.skorchmagazine.blogspot.com/), I've become aware of what other blogs for plus-sized women are saying. Those that spread messages of empowerment and provide high-quality fashion advice top the list.

One of the better blogs I discovered is Too Fat for Fashion: Fashion Beyond Sample Sizes, written by Miss J, Harriet Olivia, and Jane. Witty, on-topic discussions primarily deal with how designers and companies are beginning to supply stylish clothing for plus-sized women. Like SKORCH Magazine, they call attention to stores overlooking these influential buyers. Too Fat for Fashion also creates extensive guides to what's hot for each season and where to find it. For the September 10 posting, Miss J listed the pros and cons of high-end designers working with chain stores:

Designers have not been particularly eager to cater to the plus sized consumer in their personal lines so who is to say things will get any better in these new diffusion lines? Besides what's [sic] should you even look for when shopping one of these?

The blog features selections of items each contributor lusts after-similar to SKORCH's "Editors' Picks." Favorites include: high-heeled oxfords, Anna Scholz, Temperley for Target, and England-based store Monsoon.

The blog provides interviews with boutique owners and excerpts from mainstream articles about role models, such as the Grammy-nominated singer Jill Scott. For those readers wanting more information about models in the 12+ industry, Too Fat for Fashion introduces Kate Dillon, Crystal Renn, and Ashley Graham.

One mystery surrounding the blog, however, is: Who exactly are these bloggers? With their keen insights and fashion expertise, these ladies might very well be fashion industry insiders themselves. So, if you can't wait for the next issue of SKORCH Magazine, Too Fat for Fashion should keep you happy and content in the meantime.

TV REVIEW

The Curvy Women of Fall TV
by Cori Stoddard
SKORCH Online Editor

Plus-size actresses don’t often get the chance to shine, but this Fall’s television season will bring back a few familiar ladies.

Sara Ramirez and Chandra Wilson return to Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) September 27. Ramirez also shows her curves in the “got milk?” ads. Wilson’s second Emmy award nomination proves that plus-sized, talented women can get noticed in Hollywood. And Ugly Betty (ABC) star America Ferrera continues to empower young women to use their brains and “average” beauty to combat rail thin models.

Another show, The View (ABC), seems more known for its hosts then its topics. This season is no exception. Whoopi Goldberg has already filled one hot seat. Actress and comedienne Sherri Shepherd also joins the daytime show, after a summer of guest hosting. She can be seen in syndicated reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond or Less Than Perfect (if you can find it).

Few curvy, confident women appear in the new TV shows. One ray of light could be Melissa McCarthy in the Christina Applegate series, Samantha Who? (ABC). We loved McCarthy when she played Lorelai Gilmore’s best friend Sookie St. James in the WB/CW show Gilmore Girls. Watch the new show for any comedic chemistry between McCarthy and Applegate (October 15).

While Hollywood has shown a slight effort to bring curvaceous actresses to primetime, the results aren’t enough. In fact, only one network is responsible for the above-mentioned Fall appearances: ABC. Only time will tell if the other networks realize the positive influence of plus-size women.

IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW: SONIA ROSELLI
by Victoria Arnold
SKORCH Interview Editor

A day in the life of…Ever wondered what it’s like to be a makeup artist to the stars? Imagine flying to the top fashion shows, staring into Ben Affleck’s eyes, perfecting Elton’s look, and being “too busy” for Madonna.

Well, I had the pleasure of meeting up with makeup extraordinaire Sonia Roselli who has done just that! Sonia is a woman with ambition. Not content with working in just fashion and advertising, she is now busy creating her own makeup line and will be opening her first store in Chicago later this year. Between the wedding makeup, product development, writing a blog, and freelance jobs, Sonia found time to catch up with me in Chicago to discuss her success and give me some insider details into the life of a makeup artist.

SKORCH : So, Sonia, how did you get into the industry?
SONIA: I started working part time at a makeup counter when I was 16 and fell in love with the industry from there. At 23, I went to work for Aveda and was trained by a celebrity makeup artist, Sonia Kashuk (who now has a top beauty line exclusive to Target). I then moved to LA and took lessons in airbrushing and more photography-based makeup application. In 1999, I moved to Milan for a year to study and work there. I went full-time freelance in 2000.

SKORCH : I read that you have worked with Ben Affleck and Elton John! Who else have you worked with?
SONIA: I have worked on a few celebrities, but mostly men. I have done the occasional female celebrity, too. I got a call from the Oprah Winfrey show to do Madonna, but I was already working with Chris Botti (jazz musician) that day. I was totally bummed! I really love Madonna. I think we would have had a great conversation!

SKORCH : Wow, not many of us can say that we’ve turned down Madonna. So, what would you say has been your most exciting job?
SONIA: Gosh, I have had so many. They are all different. I guess working in Milan for shows when I was younger was the most fun! It was so stressful and backbreaking though, so, I wouldn’t like to do it now--I love jobs where I can be creative! Since I moved to Chicago, I mostly do advertising campaigns for billboards and things like that.

SKORCH: Do you have any advice for aspiring makeup artists?
SONIA: Pay your dues. If you get asked to assist a seasoned makeup artist, respect that relationship. Don’t try to wedge your way into the artist’s future work. That is a huge no-no!

SKORCH : What beauty rules do you live by?
SONIA: I am a total freak about my skin. If you have good skin, your makeup will look great! Invest in your skin. Your face is what’s out there. There are so many treatments available that can help most any type of skin issue. Invest in your skin. Not only will your makeup look great, you will age nicely. Also, stay out of the sun, don’t smoke, and watch your diet. Eat healthy fruits and veggies. I am a huge fruit and veggie lover!

SKORCH : Tell me about your makeup line and store.
SONIA: I am opening a new store, hopefully before the end of the year. We are going to have a full custom makeup bar. I have taken my years of experience in traveling with my makeup to jobs and created a palette of colors you can mix and match. We will also do a lot of custom blend. In addition to the cosmetics, we plan to offer studio services for photographers and agents, as well as skin care services to maintain healthy skin.

SKORCH: Well, it sounds like you have your hands well and truly full! Other than becoming a makeup mastermind, what does a typical day usually hold in store for you?

SONIA:

6 a.m. - Turn on the coffee! I have to have my coffee. Can’t function without it! HA!

7:30 a.m. - I usually check emails around this time, drink my coffee and plan my day. If I am shooting, I am doing any last minute prepping for the day. Usually I do this the night before, so I am not surprised by anything on the shoot day. Nothing like throwing a monkey wrench in your plans to ruin a shoot day. Producers and art directors like you to be prepared.
9:30 a.m. - I am usually working on photo shoot concepts. For clients, I help style the “looks” that the model will be wearing, what the story is, and how we are going to implement the look with wardrobe. Sometimes I assist in wardrobe as well. On a shoot day, by now the talent has arrived and I am prepping her for makeup. Depending on concept, I like to take about 45 minutes with my model. If necessary, I can do it in 20 minutes.

12 p.m. - If I am on a shoot, I skip lunch. If I do eat it’s something quick like a salad or fruit. When we are on location, a lot of times the set provides food for us so we eat when we can--mostly standing. Ha!

3 p.m. - I am working on launching my new cosmetics website. I am already creating new color stories for spring and getting the site ready to launch. I am also planning other shoots for the website itself. I usually work on this till bedtime. I answer emails in between times as well. If I am on a shoot, this is usually the time we go for the second look. The light gets nice in the afternoon and we need to adjust the makeup for the evening light.

6 p.m. - I take a break from the job and cook dinner for me and my husband. I also feed my dog and 3 kitties! I will wind down, have a cup of decaf coffee or maybe a glass of wine, and go back to work on the internet. It’s important for me to find a little time to relax at the end of the day.On shoot days, we shoot till sunset and then pop open a bottle of wine and reflect on the day’s events: what was great, what was NOT so great, and what we can do to improve.

Life as a freelance makeup artist never stops. You are always connecting with people and striving to be a better artist. It doesn’t matter how long you have been in the business, you always need to push yourself to get better. If you think you have nothing else to learn, then you get stale and it starts to show in your work.

If you would like to learn more about Sonia and her makeup line, you can visit her website at www.soniaroselli.com. She also gives great tips on skincare and makeup on her blog at www.soniaroselli.blogspot.com.

TIP: MAKE YOUR DENIM LOOK NEWER, LONGER

by Mandi Turner

SKORCH Production Team

Fall is here! Now that jeans weather is in full effect, it's time to learn how to make them last. Every woman knows how hard it is to find the perfect jeans, let alone jeans that fit at all. Here are some tips to make your perfect jeans last even longer.

- Don't be afraid to splurge on jeans! The quality of the denim and the construction are better, which makes them last longer. Free Style Revolution Jeans are a great buy!
- Read the care label instructions; some jeans require special care. Buy jeans that are a size smaller than you normally wear. This prevents them from looking frumpy and baggy after they stretch.

- Go for denim with a little bit of spandex. Z.Cavaricci jeans come in many great styles with 2% spandex, the perfect amount to keep them from losing their shape.

- Wash jeans inside-out in cold water. The cold water keeps them from shrinking. Washing them inside-out keeps them from fading.

- Hang your jeans or lay them flat to dry. This keeps them from shrinking and becoming high waters. Wash your jeans only when they are truly dirty; they will last longer.

Want more? Click here to read the FREE Virtual Magazine SKORCH at www.skorchmagazine.com.