PLUS Model Magazine - Archives - 2011 PLUS Model Magazine - April 2014 | Page 126

plus-model-mag.com | apr 2014

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inspiration + style

Gwen: Our casting tour ended with the last stop being in Detroit,
MI, which was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Every year
we choose a maximum of 50 models. We believe that number
works well for the fashion shows that we produce throughout the
week. If I were to offer just one important tip, it would be to try
to look like the images that you are submitting and make sure that
the images you are submitting are the very best. We see hundreds
of models during the casting process. Memories of models fade
quickly when you see that many. Sometimes when our memory
fails us, it all boils down to those images. Also, there are times
when we actually have to “sell” a fabulous walker to a designer
because her pictures were not great. Models should invest more
money into their shoots so that their images are flawless.
Maddy: We know last year you said that 2014 may be the last year
for FFFWEEK. If it is, what do you hope to have accomplished in
these six years?
Gwen: I hope that Full Figured Fashion Week has helped to shed
a positive spotlight on plus size fashion. Before FFFWeek, it was
rare for people to travel from city to city to view a plus size fashion
show, especially if you were not a part of the event. Now, the plus
community travels regularly to support a lot of different events,
including fashion events. This is such a huge step for us. I also
hope that FFFWeek has raised the bar for event production in the
plus community. In order for us to be taken seriously, we have to
measure up to the larger, non-plus events. This is critical.
Maddy: What can we expect from Gwen DeVoe in the next 10
years?
Gwen: I would like to begin branding myself a bit more moving
forward. In addition to the new talk show that I am producing,
I would like to explore the possibility of traveling nationwide as a
speaker to encourage young women who want to be entrepreneurs.
FFFWeek is a success story for so many and I would like to
share that story in as many ways as possible in hopes that it will
encourage and inspire other women to turn their passions into
legitimate businesses.
Visit online at fffweek.com