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Community Corner

Sweet Roll Rocks Premiere Event

Curvy Girl Fashion Swap caters to "limbo" sizes

Ladies, let’s face it. Not everyone can wear a size four. So, why is it increasingly difficult to find fashionable clothing in double-digits?

Luckily, Sweet Roll Entertainment's premiere Curvy Girl Fashion Swap took place on Tuesday at Night of the Cookers on Fulton Street. Local fashionistas attended and brought five spring clothing items each to swap, ranging from size 10 and up.

“It is a running joke among second-hand clothes loving curvy girls that when it comes to fashion swaps, we walk in with clothes and walk out with only accessories,” said Williams. “If you are the only curvy girl in attendance, accessories are often the only item that fits when you go to a non-size specific event.”

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When Sweet Roll Entertainment’s founder Courtney Williams moved to Brooklyn, she hoped to discover a plethora of styles for women her size.

“I felt like I had arrived in a place where I had the opportunity to more openly express myself with fashion,” said Williams. “However, with the exception of one or two independent and resale stores that every plus-sized girl in Brooklyn frequents, I was shocked to find that funky and unique fashionable clothing choices for curvy girls in this city were just as limited as they were back in the Midwest.”

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The biggest problem Williams encountered was her “limbo size” - not being a true plus size that shops like Lane Bryant cater to, nor fitting into the narrow cuts of popular retail stores like Forever 21. This challenge led Williams to explore community fashion swaps, which unfortunately did not cater to her either.

“When I found that my swapping experience was also limited by virtue of being the only double-digit-sized girl, I refused to give up on what seemed to me like an event that should work for everybody,” she said.

One March morning, Williams woke up with the name Sweet Roll Entertainment in her mind. Since then, she has been working diligently to, “create a fulfilling fashion experience for the curvy, contemporary girl.”

To the delight of attendees, swapping was successful all around and featured much more than accessories. Popular items included beautiful dresses with a variety of prints.

“I have no summer dresses, so I picked out two, plus one button-up,” said attendee Kenyetta Rose from Bed-Stuy. “I brought pants, so someone else can get what they need while I got what I need. It’s a win-win!”

Event sponsor Femi Lewis of Arbonne Skin Care donated an at-home facial for two, and organic body care kit as raffle prizes. Her generosity came back around as she scored two items.

“I picked out a pearl-trim top that can be worn year round and the cutest skirt ever!” Lewis exclaimed as she showed off her colorful finds.

Admission to the swap included dessert, gift bags, raffle entry, unlimited swapping and entertainment. Spoken word artist Poetic Assassin (Joseph Thomas) recited poems he crafted especially for Sweet Roll’s guests after musing about the glory of curvy women.  

“I have so much affection for curvy women,” said Thomas. “I am attracted to their style and happy to perform for them.”

With the success of Sweet Roll’s first swap, Williams is looking forward to scheduling a variety of fashion events that, “cater to all the things that help a curvy girl lead a fabulous, fashionable life.”

 

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