The unforgettable Woman

This tag is associated with 3 posts

Inspiration: Rae Williams Pushes Past Adversity to One Day Be Top Model

Posted by I'esha GaptoothDiva ⋅ October 4, 2012 ⋅ Leave a Comment

I worked with Rae last year, at an Unforgettable Woman Fashion show and she immediately blew me away. Her personality was so positive and she smiled the entire time. While some of us were frantically rushing to change in and out of our outfits, just to run on stage for two minutes. This girl was as calm as a cucumber. Her bright eyes and warm spirit, made me want to share her story. I thought she was too beautiful a person to keep her away from my audience. You need to be inspired by her.

Her given name is Rachel Williams, but she often goes by Rae Williams. She is a young aspiring Full Figured Model from the Maryland area. Along with being a model, she is also a full-time junior at Towson University studying to receive her degree in Creative Writing and Public Relations. Rae realized her passion for modeling as a teen;, and has been committed to making her dreams a reality since high school. However, she has faced many challenges, such as her height. Many photographers and events in her area are not appreciating the fuller figured model demographic. Despite these challenges, Rae slowly but surely rises and continues to gain experience and work.

To her advantage, she has the support of her entire family and the majority of her friends who are always in the background cheering her on. The majority of Rae’s work comes from the New York area, where she soon hopes to reside. Rae has had the honor to be featured in Skorch Magazine, Fashion News Avenue Magazine and Bella Noir Magazine, and in Plus Boutique Eddy&Bri’s catalog website. Along with many other accomplishments, she has an extremely bubbly personality, and loves to laugh and have fun. Rachel enjoys trying new things and pushing the boundaries of her success.

Rachel has faced discrimination, being the victim of fraud and being underestimated by photographers and casting directors. Rae pushes past adversity and the hardships of being a young adult pursuing her dreams because she not only wants to make a name for herself. She also wants others to see that it can be done. She firmly believes that anything is possible if you work hard enough and do your absolute best. The obstacles that are faced are just tests to see how hard you are willing to work, and if you can continue to push pass the tears. Rachel continues to work hard no matter what obstacles she faces because she believes in herself and she has the support from her family that propels her to continue trying.

I believe that Rae is an amazing example of perseverance. In an industry that can be discriminating and often snide, she continues to work toward something she wants. If she can do it, then we know that many more can as well.

Contact Rae Williams to network or connect:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Raeofbeauty

Model Mayhem: www.modelmayhem.com/1672050

Twitter: @Juicey_Rae

Email: Raeofbeauty@gmail.com

The Awkward Black Girl, Issa Rae, Gets Her Own Network Show! (soletschat.wordpress.com)
Plus Night Out New York 2012 (aliyahcherrisse.wordpress.com)
How To Become A Model The UKMA Way – A Brand-New Section Is Open For Business Online Provided By The Experts At UK Model Agencies (prweb.com)
SLink: Plus-size fashion magazine launches first 3D edition (with free 3D specs) (dailymail.co.uk)
20 Of The Hottest Plus Size Models, Past And Present (Celebrating Women With Curves!) (styleblazer.com)
Stylist, Former Plus-Size Model Offers Tips For Full-Figured Fashionistas (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
Just When You Thought Lady Gaga Couldn’t Get Any More Awesome (forbes.com)

Watch The Divas In Designs 2011 Fashion Show in RVA

Posted by I'esha GaptoothDiva ⋅ December 10, 2011 ⋅ 4 Comments

Theresa Flatts of http://www.Unforgettablewoman.org facilitated a fashion show for the plus size and full figured community for 2011 Winter season in celebration of the holidays. This event included performances by the Full Figured Dance group, Ms. Proper of So Proper Entertainment, and even audience members. Naneen Cottrell Johnson, model coordinator and trainer assisted in making this event a success. Dance routine choreographed by I’esha GaptoothDiva of www. GaptoothDiva.com, Cecily Hickman of SassC Creations provided the beautiful makeup for most of the girls including I’esha GaptoothDiva. Jamal Mayes on photography.

See the Public Pictures on Facebook by clicking the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.315503848474582.80021.149931455031823&type=1&l=19fcddc8df

For more motivation, inspiration and fun… follow me on twitter @GaptoothDiva

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Tropical Diva Summer Madness Full Figured Fashion Show 2011 in RVA Shows the World Who Runs It (gaptoothdiva.com)
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GaptoothDiva Interview w/ W.I.L.L An Artist, Entrepreneur, & Mentor changing the game and our Youth in RVA (gaptoothdiva.com)
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Tropical Diva Summer Madness Full Figured Fashion Show 2011 in RVA Shows the World Who Runs It

Posted by I'esha GaptoothDiva ⋅ July 22, 2011 ⋅ 15 Comments

When Theresa Flatts, Founder of The Unforgettable Woman (www.theunforgettablewoman.org)
asked me to be in her fashion show, I was beyond excited. I relished at the opportunity to not only walk the runway, but also again show how with a little confidence and motivation, you can be a star runway model regardless of your size or body type. I was proud to have been apart of the Tropical Diva Summer
Madness 2011 Fashion Show, held at the Clarion Richmond Hotel in Richmond, Virginia.

I was among some of the most confident, elegant, beautiful, and charismatic full figured women that have ever graced a runway in Richmond, Virginia. I was also among great company, two years prior one of my full figured role models Mia Amber Davis, also modeled with Ms. Theresa Flatts for Tropical Diva as well. I didn’t hesitate when I agreed to be apart of it.

Unfortunately, Mia passed away in May 2011, due to complications after surgery. My wish of getting the chance to meet her wasn’t going to come true. However, after going through the process, meeting some of the people that she had the chance to know, and after seeing her tribute video, I felt like her presence was definitely in the room. Her spirit of wanting to take a stand for the majority-sized woman, the spirit that radiated self-assurance and self-love, was pumping out of the forty-plus women that walked with me that day. It was an incredible experience; one that made me feel even surer about my ability to motivate women to love their God-given form inside and out.

Although there is nothing at all easy about putting a fashion show together, Ms. Theresa Flatts looked calm and in control before the big day and forward on. She delegated responsibilities and answered all questions from veteran models and runway newbies. Collaborating with other greats such as B.I.G by Getta (www.wixx.com/bigbygetta), Phenomenal 1 of Curvation Nation (www.cnmovement.org), Cherina Tidwell of Full Figured Creations (www.Cherinatidwell.com ), and Salina Pugh of Dynasty Curves (www.dynastyofcurves.web.com), Theresa was able to create a full figured force to be reckoned with last
Saturday. They accomplished this while bringing full figured women from all over the country together in a day of spectacular fashion overdrive. Don’t forget about the men. The added flavor of stylish and attractive men, made each scene come to life in a story of designer meets model.

This event was to benefit a phenomenal organization here in Virginia, Camp Diva (www.campdiva.org), whose goals are to give girls in need of a support system an opportunity to posses the qualities that its inspiration, Diva Mstadi Smith Roane, had in her precious but short life. Diva passed away due to a firearm accident in 2004, and since then Camp Diva’s founder Angela Patton and Clover Smith (Diva’s Mother) have worked diligently to ensure young girls live with the spirit and values that was and is Diva today.

I love the event, despite some stressful moments of trying to change between scenes. It was the idea that with this review and with the video posted on www.youtube.com/gaptoothdiva more full figured beauties may be inspired to step out of the shadows that mainstream media has held you in, and bring that sexy back to the forefront. As Theresa said, we are the MAJORITY, and if we speak up about what we lack the
fashion world is bound to change their ways. I can’t wait to work with all of the fantastic women again.

Make sure you check out Theresa Flatts Website www.TheUnforgettaleWoman.org

For more inspiration and motivation, follow me on www.Twitter.com/GaptoothDiva

www.Facebook.com/GaptoothDiva

Also, subscribe to my Youtube Channel at www.youtube.com/GaptoothDiva

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