From a religion crammed reminder to take up house to a runway celebrating plus measurement model, THICKCON 2026 introduced vogue, friendship, legacy and a complete lot of affection to Atlanta.
Why I Wished to Inform This Story
Because the editor of The Curvy Fashionista, I’ve been overlaying plus measurement vogue, the folks creating it and the conversations shaping how we see ourselves in it. I take note of the garments, in fact, however I’m simply as within the folks pushing the trade ahead, the designers taking dangers and the ladies who preserve exhibiting up in areas that haven’t at all times made room for them.
That’s the reason THICKCON 2026 caught my consideration.
I wished to expertise the occasion firsthand, see the style for myself and speak with the folks behind the popularity. I wished to listen to what the ladies constructing this neighborhood needed to say about their work, their experiences and what it takes to maintain creating alternatives for plus measurement ladies.
Being within the room issues. Watching the fashions stroll, noticing the main points within the collections, listening to the viewers reply and talking immediately with the honorees gave me a perspective {that a} press launch or a group of occasion images couldn’t present.
At The Curvy Fashionista, we consider plus measurement vogue deserves protection that goes past saying who attended and what they wore. The folks behind the garments, the companies creating alternatives and the ladies difficult expectations need to have their tales advised with care, context and character.
That’s the perspective I delivered to THICKCON. I wished to have fun the folks doing the work, share their phrases in their very own voices and provides our readers a better take a look at the neighborhood serving to form the way forward for plus measurement vogue.
Have you ever ever had life spoken into you?
That’s the feeling I carried dwelling from THICKCON 2026. Not simply the sensation of getting attended an occasion, seen some garments and caught up with acquainted faces. I imply the type of feeling that stays with you as a result of any person mentioned one thing you wanted to listen to, any person confirmed up in a method that made you smile, and someplace between the style, the fellowship and the music, you have been reminded of what occurs when folks make room for each other.
Held Oct. 17 at Westside Cultural Arts Middle in Atlanta, the second annual THICKCON introduced collectively plus measurement vogue, reside leisure, trade honors and a neighborhood of girls who understood the project. Come as you might be. Have fun who you might be. And, for the love of all issues fabulous, don’t make your self smaller to make any person else snug.
Earlier than this system even started, these massive, illuminated THICKCON letters had already caught my eye. There was one thing about seeing the identify displayed so prominently that made me take into consideration what this occasion might turn out to be. Yr two, and already, there was a way of one thing being constructed. Not simply one other date on the calendar, however an area with room to develop, evolve and create alternatives for the individuals who want it.
The black and white decor gave the room a sublime contact, and the runway was ready for its second. I even took a few walks on it myself whereas the group ready. Naturally, I needed to think about what it could really feel prefer to see the fashions come by means of, exhibiting off their appears to be like whereas a room full of individuals cheered them on.
As company arrived, the house full of hugs, conversations and acquainted faces reconnecting. New connections have been taking place, too. And as any person who loves watching a neighborhood come collectively, I observed how a lot of the expertise was already taking place earlier than anybody stepped onto that runway.
That was the factor about THICKCON 2026. The style was a significant a part of the celebration, however the folks have been the guts of it.
Shawnda Stovall Had a Message for Each Plus Dimension Girl within the Room
This system opened with host Nikki Lee welcoming company, however keynote speaker Shawnda Stovall introduced a message that deserved to journey effectively past the partitions of Westside Cultural Arts Middle.
A speaker, trainer, licensed grasp life coach and trauma knowledgeable religion coach, Stovall spoke about self love, embracing who you might be and refusing to settle in relationships. Her supply was humorous, direct and rooted in religion. She had the type of presence that made you’re feeling like she was talking on to you, even with a room full of girls listening.
Now, we see self love in every single place. It’s in our social media feeds, on inspirational quote playing cards and in captions reminding us to know our value. However there’s a distinction between scrolling previous a message and sitting in a room with any person who makes you cease and really take into consideration what these phrases imply in your individual life.
Stovall didn’t come to supply a cute little reminder and ship all people on their method.
“If in case you have no enemies, meaning you haven’t any desk,” she mentioned.
Whew. Let’s sit with that for a minute.
Typically, being seen means folks may have opinions. Typically, talking up means any person will disagree. And typically, the very factor that makes you stand out is the factor any person else needs you’d tone down.
However what if the reply is to not turn out to be extra palatable? What if the reply is to cease treating different folks’s discomfort as a cause to dim your gentle?
Once I requested Stovall what each plus measurement lady ought to do beginning immediately, she introduced the dialog again to religion, goal and the worth of each lady within the room.
“God didn’t make a mistake when He made you,” she mentioned. “You have been created on goal and by design, and when God made you, He made nobody else such as you.”
She continued by reminding ladies that their previous errors don’t erase their goal. And their clothes sizes actually don’t disqualify them from making a distinction.
“Don’t let no one inform you that as a result of we’re a measurement 18, 20, 22, 24 or no matter, that we can’t be used for His goal, for His ardour, for His glory,” she mentioned. “And that you just can’t make an influence on this world or in any person’s life.”
Then she gave us the road I hope each lady who wanted that reminder carried dwelling.
“Lady, take up house and make them take note of who you might be.”
I really like a lady who understands the project.
For too lengthy, plus measurement ladies have been anticipated to barter their visibility. Gown this fashion. Keep away from that silhouette. Be assured, however not too assured. Present up, however don’t take up an excessive amount of room.
Stovall’s message was a reminder that your value just isn’t up for a vote. You do not want all people’s approval to reside in your goal, put on the outfit, pursue the chance or stroll right into a room figuring out you belong there.
And truthfully, we might all stand to listen to that a little bit extra typically.
THICKCON 2026 Celebrated the Folks Constructing Plus Dimension Trend
After all, we can’t speak about a celebration of plus measurement vogue with out speaking in regards to the individuals who have spent years serving to the trade transfer ahead.
One of many afternoon’s significant honors went to Gwen DeVoe, the previous proprietor of Full Figured Trend Week, who acquired the THICKCON Icon Award.
Once I spoke with DeVoe, she gave me a title replace that made me smile.
“I’m not auntie, I’ve been topped as Motha,” she mentioned.
And hear, Motha has a pleasant ring to it.
However beneath the playful second was a a lot greater story about legacy, affect and the work that continues to matter lengthy after an occasion has ended.
Requested how she felt about receiving the award, DeVoe mentioned, “I’m feeling very blessed, and simply grateful that although my occasion was retired a number of years in the past, we’re nonetheless getting the accolades, which suggests the occasion was positively impactful.”
That’s what legacy appears to be like like. You do the work, create alternatives and open doorways, and years later, persons are nonetheless speaking about what you helped make doable.
Full Figured Trend Week performed a task in creating visibility and alternatives for plus measurement designers, fashions and companies. DeVoe’s recognition at THICKCON related that historical past to the neighborhood persevering with to construct immediately.
As a result of let’s be trustworthy: Getting plus measurement ladies onto a runway is one factor. Creating alternatives for designers to succeed in clients, fashions to develop their careers and companies to serve an viewers that has traditionally been ignored is one other.
Each matter.
And the individuals who helped construct these areas deserve their flowers whereas they’re right here to obtain them.
DeVoe’s second was a reminder that the work doesn’t turn out to be much less significant simply because the unique platform has closed. The affect can proceed by means of the individuals who have been impressed, the careers that developed and the brand new areas that take form.
That could be a legacy value celebrating.
Donisha Hill Says Plus Dimension Fashions Must Hold Displaying Up
If there was one message from THICKCON that aspiring plus measurement fashions ought to preserve shut, it got here from Donisha Hill, who acquired the THICKCON Mannequin of the Yr award.
Hill walked each outfit with vitality and confidence. When she acquired her honor, the emotion of the second was unmistakable. She was overjoyed and tearful, and the neighborhood responded with flowers, encouragement and loads of love.
However what stood out to me was what she needed to say in regards to the work behind the popularity.
Once I requested what she wished plus measurement ladies to know, Hill inspired them to maintain exhibiting up for castings, even when the room doesn’t mirror them or the trade makes them query whether or not they belong.
“Hold exhibiting up as a result of on the finish of the day, we don’t stroll outdoors bare. We stroll outdoors, there’s garments someplace for us. Hold exhibiting up, preserve going to these castings,” she mentioned.
I admire that type of honesty as a result of the dialog about illustration can get wrapped up within the stunning closing product. We see the marketing campaign, the runway images, the completed styling and the mannequin serving face. What we don’t at all times see is what it takes to get there.
Hill spoke candidly about what it feels prefer to be the one plus measurement mannequin in a room.
“Quite a lot of occasions, like I mentioned, typically I’m the one lady within the room and it may be exhausting and I carry lots, you already know, once I go dwelling. It’s nonetheless, it’s nonetheless a stigma with it, however I preserve exhibiting up as a result of any person has to do it.”
That final half issues.
Anyone has to maintain strolling into these rooms. Anyone has to problem the assumptions about which our bodies belong in vogue campaigns, on runways and within the conversations the place casting choices are made.
And any person has to maintain reminding the trade that plus measurement fashions will not be a particular request. They’re a part of the viewers, a part of the expertise pool and a part of the style dialog.
Hill defined what can occur when choice makers really see plus measurement fashions doing their work.
“After they see us at these castings, they see us stroll, they see how stunning they’re, you possibly can see their eyes gentle up they usually need us.”
She additionally acknowledged that the garments and alternatives will not be at all times there but.
“They only haven’t made these garments but, however I assure you, in case you preserve exhibiting up, they’re going to begin making these garments.”
There’s something highly effective about that perspective. Hill just isn’t pretending the boundaries have disappeared. She is speaking about what it takes to maintain pushing in opposition to them.
For aspiring fashions, her recommendation is simple: Hold going. Hold auditioning. Hold exhibiting up, even when you’re the one one within the room.
For manufacturers, designers and casting groups, the message needs to be simply as clear. If you wish to serve plus measurement clients, your work must mirror that dedication. Illustration can’t start and finish with a celebratory publish. It wants to indicate up within the garments you make, the fashions you rent and the alternatives you create.
Nzinga Imani Introduced Friendship and Legacy Into the Celebration
THICKCON additionally made house for a extra private type of recognition.
Actress, creator and mannequin Nzinga Imani, identified for enjoying Angela, Fatima’s pal, on Tyler Perry’s Sistas and Zatima, took half in a tribute to her late pal Wondrea.
It was a reminder that neighborhood just isn’t solely in regards to the folks standing beside us immediately. It is usually in regards to the individuals who have formed us, inspired us and left an imprint that stays with us.
Imani additionally acquired the THICKCON Honors in Media award, recognizing her presence in leisure and a tradition the place plus measurement ladies proceed to form conversations about visibility and illustration.
What I appreciated about this a part of the afternoon was the reminder that public recognition typically carries a non-public story. Behind the titles, credit and accomplishments are friendships, reminiscences and individuals who have helped us turn out to be who we’re.
Trend can convey us into the room, however relationships are sometimes what make that room imply one thing.
And that’s a part of why celebrations like THICKCON matter. They create alternatives to acknowledge the work folks do publicly whereas acknowledging the neighborhood and private connections that assist maintain them.
The THICKCON Runway Was Not All in favour of Enjoying It Secure
Now, let’s get into the garments, as a result of you already know I used to be paying consideration.
The runway featured Intensify Me Boutique, Fluffy Diva Boutique, 2WthriftATL and Remixx Type Home, Cherri Cheek Swimwear, and Onion by Whitney Mero.
And the vary of appears to be like was a reminder that plus measurement vogue doesn’t belong in a single little field.
There have been robes, promenade impressed appears to be like, swimsuits and items that leaned right into a sexier facet of fashion. Some appears to be like have been made for a grand entrance. Others celebrated the enjoyable of placing collectively an outfit that feels such as you.
The viewers responded with cheers and encouragement because the fashions walked. The vitality was not reserved for one explicit look, physique sort or stage of expertise. The room confirmed love throughout the board.
That’s the type of vogue setting I need to see extra of. Not one the place all people has to suit the identical thought of what appears to be like good, however one the place ladies can experiment, play with their private model and resolve for themselves what makes them really feel fabulous.
As a result of who determined plus measurement ladies ought to have a restricted vogue vocabulary, anyway?
The participation of 2WthriftATL and Remixx Type Home additionally introduced a thrift and styling perspective to the lineup, whereas the boutique segments highlighted the individuality that impartial vogue companies convey to the plus measurement market.
After which there was the denim.
I noticed Sydney West McCoy’s denim assortment throughout the occasion, and that denim puffer jacket instantly caught my consideration. As any person who appreciates denim piece, I beloved seeing a well-known wardrobe staple approached in a method that made it really feel like the primary occasion.
Denim doesn’t should imply the identical denims and high mixture we have now worn a thousand occasions. A special silhouette, texture or styling alternative could make a well-known material really feel solely new.
That jacket was a reminder that non-public model just isn’t about following an inventory of issues you might be supposedly allowed to put on. It’s about discovering the items that talk to you and having enjoyable with them.
Cherri Cheek Swimwear additionally caught my consideration, notably as a result of The Curvy Fashionista had lined the model earlier within the yr. Seeing the swimwear in particular person gave me one other appreciation for the main points.
One inexperienced swimsuit stood out for its velvet texture and rhinestone element on the cheek. It was a little bit reminder that swimwear can have character, texture and a viewpoint. Who says a swimsuit must be primary?
One other memorable runway second got here when a mannequin proudly confirmed off her pregnant stomach whereas sporting swimwear.
I appreciated seeing that illustration as a result of plus measurement our bodies exist by means of completely different levels of life. They don’t seem to be restricted to at least one form, one age or one explicit model of what vogue campaigns have historically proven us.
Girls ought to be capable of see themselves in swimwear and runway shows with out their our bodies being handled as exceptions that want an evidence.
From denim to swimwear to glamorous robes, the THICKCON runway supplied room for various expressions of fashion. And that selection was a part of the purpose.
Plus measurement ladies might be glamorous, playful, sensual, traditional, experimental or all the above earlier than lunchtime. We don’t want to select one character and construct a complete wardrobe round it.
THICKCON 2026 Was About Extra Than What We Put on
Trend could have introduced many people into the room, however the afternoon made house for one thing greater.
The honors acknowledged folks whose work has helped form the trade. Stovall challenged ladies to embrace their goal. Hill spoke in regards to the realities of exhibiting up in areas that don’t at all times make room for plus measurement fashions. DeVoe’s recognition celebrated a legacy that continues to affect the neighborhood.
And Imani’s tribute to her late pal Wondrea reminded us that the individuals who form our lives stay a part of our tales.
Every second supplied a distinct perspective on what it means to construct neighborhood.
Typically it means creating alternatives for the subsequent technology. Typically it means telling the reality about how troublesome the work might be. Typically it means celebrating the individuals who opened doorways earlier than us. And typically it means merely exhibiting up, being current and reminding any person else that they belong.
I believe that final half deserves extra consideration.
There’s a distinction between telling folks they’re welcome and creating an setting the place they will really feel it. The conversations, the cheering, the popularity and the willingness to have fun completely different our bodies and kinds all contributed to the ambiance at THICKCON.
The occasion additionally highlighted the work nonetheless forward. Designers should proceed increasing measurement ranges. Manufacturers want to think about the folks lacking from their campaigns. Fashions deserve entry to alternatives that enable their careers to develop. And the style trade must deal with plus measurement shoppers as an viewers value serving, not an afterthought.
Celebrating progress doesn’t imply pretending the work is completed.
It means recognizing the folks doing the work whereas encouraging extra folks to affix them.
And Then We Took the Celebration to the Dance Ground
After the runway moments and awards, the David Collins Band introduced the occasion to a detailed with a reside efficiency. And hear, after a day of vogue, heartfelt speeches and celebrating some unimaginable ladies, a little bit music was precisely what we would have liked.
Earlier within the day, I had seen Arleisha Marshall rehearsing with the band because the group ready for the occasion. Even throughout sound test, they have been bringing the home down. I bear in mind considering, if that is what rehearsal appears like, we’re in for a deal with later.
And they didn’t disappoint.
By the point the closing efficiency rolled round, the runway had served its goal, the honorees had acquired their flowers and the room was able to take pleasure in itself. The music gave everybody one other alternative to attach, dance and have fun a day that had already given us lots to speak about.
There’s something particular about watching a room full of people that got here collectively for vogue merely take pleasure in being in one another’s firm. No speeches wanted. No runway cues. Simply good music, good firm and a cause to remain a little bit longer.
Actually, isn’t that what neighborhood ought to really feel like?
THICKCON 2026 Left Us With One thing to Assume About
I walked into THICKCON 2026 excited to see the style. I left eager about the ladies I had spoken with and the tales they trusted me to share.
Shawnda Stovall reminded us that our measurement doesn’t decide our goal. Gwen DeVoe confirmed us what it appears to be like like when your work continues to make an influence years after the ultimate curtain name. Donisha Hill spoke candidly about being the one plus measurement mannequin within the room and why she refuses to cease exhibiting up. And Nzinga Imani reminded us that the individuals who assist form our lives need to be remembered and celebrated.
These conversations mattered to me as a result of they spoke to experiences that reach effectively past the runway.
As a vogue journalist, I really like assortment. Give me considerate development, an attention-grabbing silhouette and a designer who just isn’t afraid to have a little bit enjoyable with vogue, and you’ve got my consideration. However I additionally know that the garments are solely a part of the dialog.
Who will get to put on them? Who will get employed to mannequin them? Who’s creating alternatives for the subsequent technology? And who’s ensuring the individuals who helped construct this trade obtain the popularity they deserve?
These are questions value asking, particularly once we are speaking about an trade that also has work to do relating to plus measurement inclusion.
What I appreciated about THICKCON was that the celebration didn’t ignore these conversations. They have been taking place onstage, backstage and within the interviews I had all through the afternoon.
And I preserve coming again to one thing Donisha Hill mentioned: “Hold exhibiting up.”
Such easy recommendation, however there’s a lot behind these three phrases.
Hold exhibiting up when the alternatives really feel restricted. Hold exhibiting up when you’re the one one that appears to be like such as you within the room. Hold creating, designing, modeling and constructing areas the place the subsequent lady doesn’t should combat fairly as exhausting to be seen.
THICKCON is just in its second yr, and I’m to see the way it continues to develop. There may be room for extra designers, extra conversations and extra alternatives to introduce audiences to the folks shaping plus measurement vogue.
As for me? I shall be maintaining a tally of what comes subsequent.
As a result of if there’s one factor I took away from this afternoon, it’s that our neighborhood has loads of expertise, character and tales value telling.
And as Shawnda Stovall so boldly reminded us, “Lady, take up house and make them take note of who you might be.”
Now, that’s a message I can get behind.
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