X-Factor

Fashion Potential: Dana Owens, A.K.A. Queen Latifah — born in Newark, New Jersey — the daughter of an art teacher and police officer — Grammy award winning rap artist — talk show host — producer — Academy Award nominated actress — full-figured model — signs a potential 21-year multi-phase partnership with Curvations/VF (Vanity Fair) to create plus fashions — Lots of potential…
The fashion business is filled with secrets, potential mergers and big deals always “in the works.” This past June, in New York, one of the “big secrets” was revealed. The “Queen” (no, not Aretha), Ms. Queen Latifah, announced an unprecedented multi-part, multi-year contract with the Vanity Fair Corporation’s intimates line, CURVATION. As Spokesperson and Creative Consultant her “reign” will include a sportswear collection that will launch in 2006. This groundbreaking partnership, with the potential to run for 21 years, is revolutionary. During the press conference I could hardly contain myself.  Divas everywhere, the drum roll has just begun and the plus-size fashion revolution is officially ON!
It has been my pleasure to work with Queen on many occasions over the years and I must share with you that she IS the real deal. This is not a “fake out” along the lines of Paris  Hilton or JLo with their couture friends all lined up in the wings. I have done my share of styling and I am telling you that it is much easier to drop by D&G, Prada or Gucci and pick up a little sumthin’ off the rack. There aren’t many racks for us “healthy” girls above size 12, at least not just yet, but the Queen does have some clothes to share and baby they will be stage ready. Finally, a celebrity body who understands what it is that we need. This collection will be, for us, by one of us, not a skinny wannabe who doesn’t understand the first thing about a good fit even if it hit them upside their finger snapping head!  Latifah is not only diligent in her pursuit of excellence but she worked hard and long before adding her name and talents to a collection that would befit a Diva’s status. The line is slated for 2006, I fortunately got a peek at the collection and added a few important details — and trust me, it will not disappoint! There are great woven shirts for any body type,head turning prints, knit dressing for easy travels, and a killer denim collection.  The Queen’s body of work has crossed many disciplines and she masters them all. Whether it’s her voice gracing a musical recording or commercial or her flawless face and sumptuous figure looming large on the silver screen and on the pages of countless magazine covers and in articles, she always projects the persona of a true fashion diva sans the drama. This lady is a platinum personality, with a heart as big as her smile and a wit and bright mind that is unmatched.
Her success is no accident and via her varied talents she has broken many stereotypes about the draw and audience appeal of the full-figured woman. While garnering roles not just written for the “big girl” and as pitch woman for Cover Girl, Pizza Hut, Cuvration underwear and now  with Jenny Craig she has expanded the collective consciousness to the potential of plus women in the arena of advertising and entertainment.  Playing against dashing leading men such as Richard Gere, Denzel Washington, Djimon Honsou, John Travolta, Ted Danson and Steve Martin she proves that we are every bit as capable, desirable and bankable as the next woman. Queen Latifah has a wonderful sense of style and knows what works for her and on her, and that ’strong spirit’ never compromises. This woman has a great head for business so this new partnership didn’t just up and happen. She has been the brand spokesperson for Curvation since its launch in February 2003. Curvation offers sensual and livable lingerie at affordable prices. Her realness and sincere sense of being grounded are a few of her most wonderful qualities. She challenges all around her to keep things real. I first worked with her In early 2004 and I was impressed by her sense of style and her uncompromising drive for quality at a price that is affordable, well designed and wearable. It was never about the glamour factor without the price factor.  She always remembered her base, the curvaceous real woman, with real lives. Even with two vocal albums (The Dana Owens Album and Trav’lin’ Light  Grammy nominated  ) and a few big budget  movies under her belt where she served as executive producer like the  very funny (The Last Holiday, in which she appears opposite L.L. Cool J), she is still very reachable. Her long time personal stylist Susan Moses is all style and class. This beauty is a veteran with more than twenty years of cladding countless stars from Hollywood to Broadway also keeps it real and that is why they work like hand in glove together. Susan’s sense of style is never over the top but always tasteful and ladylike. I have met many stylists and fashion folks over my career but these two are winning because they are truly talented. As I stated this article there are lots of secrets in the fashion business but the secret to true success is talent. I have reopened this article to add kudos to La Diva for her once in a lifetime experience of being apart of the first and only ever Black issue Italian VOGUE magazine. Ciao bella belissimo!     

Spring 2009 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has begun and I wanted to give praise to ITALIAN VOGUE for taking the lead and putting beauty before politics. Congratulations! The Europeans have always embraced folks of color and a softer size from the beginning of time. I applaud Vogue for adding women of both size, color and substance to there July issue a must in every fashionanista library. You can be sure that we will be looking to see Vogue’s impact on Seventh Avenue. A special acknowledgement to Trya Banks, Toccara Jones and many of my favorite models of all times Pat Cleveland, Gail O’Neil, Karen ALexander, Liya Kebede, Iman and bad girl Naomi Campbell. Hooray, for giving light to talent which is never about size.