Should I Go to CurvyCon?

Right now, I’m sitting in Brooklyn, getting ready to hop on a call with a client. I’m in NYC for NYFW, hustling and emailing everyone and their assistant trying to get experience assisting for fashion designers and brands backstage.

As part of this hustle, I bought tickets to The Curvy Con. Because NYFW has been so damn slow to include plus-size folks (Christian Siriano and Chromat aside), I was stoked to learn about a space that fat and plus-size folks had claimed for ourselves.

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As a #BusinessGay, I’m also super interested in how the conference actually works. I worked for the Anita Borg Institute for 3 years, and saw explosive growth in attendees for their conference, The Grace Hopper Celebration. Balancing securing sponsors with community expectations is a CHALLENGE. You need sponsor money to hold the event, and you need excited attendees to make an event awesome.

And sometimes, the desires/needs of those two groups clash.

The question I showed up with: How will The Curvy Con founders create a community space AND a profitable event?

Below, is my review and critique of The Curvy Con, with insights for future vendors/sponsors, attendees and organizers.

Overall, I think that YES, you should go, if only to be in a plus-size space where you hang with your internet friends IRL. ALSO, the conference is presented by 2 entrepreneurial black women, and if anyone can figure out how to build community while also working within a capitalist framework, it’ll be them. ❤

TL;DR You should go to The Curvy Con.

It’s going to be held on Sept 7, so save the date!

1. Put FAT influencers & SIZE 24+ models on the runway.

I’m pretty sure The Curvy Con worked with a modeling agency to get models for the runway, and it showed — in a not-so-great way.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, can we get some US size 20 models or influencers to walk? I love some “in betweenie” girls who are a size 12, but at The Curvy Con, we are claiming our space, and this should be the place we can really push the envelope and see ourselves on the runway.

During the Lane Bryant panel, I got up and asked, “When are we going to see Lane Bryant models who aren’t hourglass figures?” The room ERUPTED in cheers, and Melissa Akay, SVP at GMM Merchandise/Lane Bryant commented, “Well that struck a chord.”

Yes, Melissa, it DID. Melissa and Evan (new SVP of Design at LB) went onto talk about how they have fitting models in all sizes — and that agencies didn’t send size 20+ models, but they’d love to work with them.

At this point, I was ready to flip a MF table. I knew, for a fact, there were aspiring models and influencers IN THE CROWD, who would’ve been happy to do an on-the-spot “go see” for LB at that very moment. I enjoyed the vibe of Melissa and Evan onstage, but come ON, people. Stop making excuses.

If Knockout PDX, a small fashion show in PORTLAND, can find and pay plus-size models who are sizes 20+, Lane Bryant and Dia & Co can do it as well.

• **Solution for 2018*** Hold a model call for The Curvy Con (much like DapperQ did for their show), and have at LEAST HALF models over a size 18. You’ll get more press (promise), and those influencers/model can help sell tickets and merchandise. It’s a win-win.

And, Melissa & Evan, and Nadia Boujarwah, if you don’t know where to start, I’d be happy to help with casting. I don’t want to pull a Mitt Romney and say, “I have binders full of women,” but I *do* have a shit ton of notes on influencers over a size 18/20 y’all should work with.

Gwynnie Bee is killing the game because of their real inclusivity, and if you want that marketshare, you best step it UP.

2. ACCESSIBILITY, FOLKS

Like my friend Corissa wrote here, fashion is political and accessibility is critical to inclusion and diversity. As such, accessibility is mandatory at The Curvy Con. There were quite a few folks with canes and wheelchairs, or other mobility issues. And the elevator BROKE.

• **Solution for 2018***Next year, can we sell a BOAT LOAD OF TICKETS to get a space with more than one elevator? I’m here to help organize and promo to make that happen!

3. Plus-Size Doesn’t Stop at a Size 24

Brands, I’ve been on your side of it, so if you’re looking for someone to come and present to your board on why you need to go to a size 30, HIT ME UP. The hottest gossip at Curvy Con was whether a brand went past a size 24. Brands that didn’t got side eye and outright glares from attendees. WE’RE NOT HERE FOR IT, Y’ALL.

Real Talk: At least 30% of attendees were a size 24 up. Booths from places like Macy’s were basically ignored, while the Premme booth was basically mobbed as attendees waited to look at clothes they could, you know, actually buy.

Also, on that note, if you’re a sponsor who plans on exhibiting, be sure to bring clothes that people can walk away with. Eloquii had clothes that attendees could try on and buy right then and there, and attendees loved it. Plus-size shoppers want the experience of trying before buying and shopping with our besties.

• **Solution for 2018*** Next year, show up with clothes up to a size 30, and be equipped to sell clothes at the event!

4. LOVED the Panels — How Can We Get More?

Y’all, I loved being able to listen to the “Do It with the Lights On” panel and the “#Girlboss” panel at The Curvy Con. I’m probably going to write a separate blog post on the #Girlboss panel because it was so inspiring.

So, can we get more programming? Attendees loved it. ❤

5. Networking & Platinum Parties (womp womp)

So, renting a space in Manhattan during NYFW isn’t cheap, I totally get it. Buuuuuut, as a general attendee, I felt like I couldn’t participate in half of the schedule (womp womp). Is there a way to partner with more sponsors to have parties for different attendee levels, or to host unofficially official meetups (like at SXSW?).

• **Solution for 2018*** Offer different sponsors the option to sponsor meetups/parties for different ticket levels.

Overall Attendee Tips for The Curvy Con

1. Bring your business cards — you’re going to meet some awesome folks and want to connect!
2. Bring a backup battery. April from She's All Fat Podcast had one, and it was a LIFESAVER. The Curvy Con also had battery packs you could check out, which was AWESOME.
3. Leave room in your suitcase. Because I went fabric shopping for my first collection, I didn’t buy any clothing at The Curvy Con, but DAY-UMN I’m still thinking about this pink coat from Romans Fashions (Troy in it below!).
4. Bring Snacks: There was a bar/coffee station, but no snacks. Bring your Cliff Bars in your bag!
5. Connect with attendees pre-event by checking out #TheCurvyCon on Instagram and Twitter.

Overall Vendor & Sponsor Tips for The Curvy Con

1. Host a non-influencer lunch or meetup with attendees, and use this as an opportunity to talk with your customers who have flown in from all over the USA to be there! Hold some fit sessions to see what your clothes look like on someone who isn’t your fit model!
2. Bring items to sell & get ready to unveil. Seriously, a LOTTTT of bloggers and micro-influencers attended. Premme had looks from the fall line in their booth, and LB unveiled their holiday collection.
3. Staff your booth with plus-size folks, and offer something snazzy — Gwynnie Bee had a fun Q&A with a plus-size dressform, ModCloth had a video and photo booth and Molly & Isadora offered denim customization.
4. Secure an influencer to hold a meetup/photo op party at your booth. Give attendees a reason to show up at your booth over others.
5. Connect with attendees on social media, liking and commenting on their photos. Think of the event as a huge customer feedback party, and LISTEN to them.

Finally

I know what goes into running a conference, and I want to give a shoutout of love to CeCe and Chastity for all of their hard work. Next year is going to be awesome, and I know I’ll be there! ❤ .

What were your thoughts on The Curvy Con? Share with me on Twitter here, or reach out via email to briannehuntsman ((at)) gmail