WS Chronicle

For the past 10 years, city native Ahmad Johnson has been inspiring women in the Triad to embrace their curves.

In 2008, Johnson held a fashion show designed to empower plus-size women to love themselves and create a venue where women in the area could explore new fashion possibilities. The first “Sista Big Bone” Fashion Show evoked a modest crowd and featured some of Johnson’s closest friends as models.

“When I held my first show, it was just a brainchild, just a thought to see if it would catch on,” said Johnson. “Once I did do it and once I got the response from the women in the community, I just continued to do it.

“… I wanted the world to see that plus-size women know how to dress and they can feel comfortable in their skin.”

From humble beginnings as a one-day event at a local high school, under the new moniker CurvyShe, Johnson’s brainchild has grown into a three-day event, which includes two fashion shows, a free workout session, motivational speakers and much more.

While the name has changed, Johnson said the goal remains the same. He said, “CurvyShe Fit2BU is meant to be all encompassing with being comfortable and loving whereever your curves fall. Just being comfortable in your skin and being aware of your health and being fit.

“… Everybody who is fit may not be small. If you are of a larger frame, it’s all about being able to carry that frame and being healthy at the same time.” 

The CurvyShe Fit2BU Weekend began on Friday, July 13, with the CurvyShe Fashion Show. The headlining event held at the Historic Broyhill Center in Clemmons, featured clothing from Ankara Kingdom African Clothing.

The show also featured fashion for men and a performance by Suah African Dance Theater.

Day Two was all about getting fit. On Saturday, July 14, more than a dozen women gathered at Athletes Advantage to experience several different workout routines that infused music and dance into the exercises. Fit2BU weekend wrapped up on Sunday, July 15, with All White Fashion Show at the Footnote Café downtown.

The finale featured the “Oh My Gauze” Collection by Gaia Women’s Clothing Store, a local business that carries unique patterns for women of all sizes. After the show, while enjoying brunch, attendees were treated to motivational words from local author and educator India Reaves, and Apostle Gloria Samuels, senior pastor of Great Commission Community Church.

Johnson said when he started the event a decade ago, he had no idea it would grow to become what it is today. He said although he never imagined it would grow into a three-day event, he is already planning for future growth.

“My mind is to get it larger than this. The feedback I got this year is to include more days and to incorporate workshops and more vendors. They really loved it,” continued Johnson. “Five years from now, I can see a whole CurvyShe Fashion Week and I also see it traveling around the country. I think it needs to be seen that we’re not just having a fashion show for plus-size women.”