Red Bottom Talk coming soon at www.RedBottomTalk.com. You don’t want to miss it. It’s about to get real scandalous.

Remember this curvy diva’s throwback video Vesta Williams “Congratulations”. I had to post it. Couldn’t get this song out of my head.

Happy to see a fashion show that represented curves and not just the skinny minny. You betta work Jordin.

Raven Symone hit the runway at the Heart Truth Red Dress Collection show last night and she worked it. She looked fabulous in red. I caught this news via twitter while talk show host, Wendy Williams, posted a pic of the two of them together at the show. What do you guys think about the hair? Let me know. I’m on the fence about it.

Lil’ Olivia all grown. I’m feeling real old-ish right about now.

Jill Scott was on Chelsey Lately recently to talk about her lifetime movie “Sins of a Mother”. I had to post this clip because her performance was so touching to me. I wanted to do something other than news about the recent lawsuit her record company filed against her earlier this month.

Jill Scott talks about her baby and kept it “real gully” saying she wanted to give her baby back and throw her baby out in the pool due to sleep deprivation, but it was all in fun. She loves her baby and any first time mother can have those thoughts. Just wanted to put it out there because people can misconstrue things. Jill is a first time mother and you know how that can be.

Jill also talks about her new Lifetime movie “Sins of s Mother”. She plays a recovering alcoholic who had problems raising her children. The movie airs February 21, 2010 at 8pm on the Lifetime movie channel. Don’t forget to check out Jill’s bra line, the Butterfly Collection, at Ashley Stuart which I love by the way.

A new trend is emerging for Spring/Summer 2010 and it’s a hot one. Graphic and 3-D nail art are becoming very popular. These types of nails can be purchased at places like Minx Nails (graphic) and Kawaii Nails (3-D). Check out a few designs and tell me what you think about the trend.  I kinda like it. Thanks to my girl over at www.chellbellz.com for putting me on to this trend.

Check out Rihanna’s 3-D nails at the Grammy’s below. Don’t mind the all up in ya face bling.

Go to www.hipsandcurves.com to view more lingerie made especially for your curves

Lately I’ve been thinking about where the plus size community falls in the world of fashion. To be honest I’ve been trying to find that designer that makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck every time I see his/her line. I’ve been looking for that designer that when I put on the clothes, I just feel like I’m the sexiest thing walking the planet.  You know—that designer whose website you just can’t stop visiting because the clothes are so delectable. Well, I found her. Monif C. is her name, but of course she needs no introduction.

Models have torn up the runway wearing her line at BET’s “Rips the Runway” . You can find her styles on celebrities such as actress/comedienne, Kim Whitley. Monif C. has also been featured in magazines such as Essence. Now you have her on Lindsay Curvy Lifestyle.

Monif C. recently launched her line of bathing suits. Now that’s the kind of stuff that makes you say WHOA. Didn’t think I could do it after about 20 years of not wearing a bathing suit, but 2010 is my year thanks to the outstanding designers creativity. Monif C. has brought the sexy to plus size swim wear.  I had to catch the designer and see what she’s all about. Thanks to Monif C. for taking the time out to do this interview with me.

LCL: Give us a brief background on Monif C (when it started and what was the inspiration).
MC: I’ve always been a plus size woman. I tell a joke that I came out the womb a size 18, so I have always been frustrated with the plus size clothing market.  After working in Corporate America and later running a youth non-profit organization, I decided it was time for me to follow my passion for design.  My inspiration was really more a desperate need of my own to have beautiful clothing, and I figured if I designed what I love, others would love it also.

LCL: What motivates you to choose the themes for your collections?
MC: My biggest motivation is to design what I love to wear in the hopes that the customer also loves it.  It’s very much connected to my fashion sensibility, lots of color, great fit, bold, and unique styling.

LCL: I read that Monif C. is a mother/daughter duo. Is that true? If so,
what is it like working with mom?
MC: Yes, my mother and I started the business 5 years ago, I still remember the day September 12, 2005.  My mother actually passed away 3 months ago so it’s been difficult at times without her, but I know that she loved what we did with Monif C. and it is very important to me to continue her legacy so she can be proud of what she and I accomplished.

LCL: Being a designer yourself, who are some of your favorite designers?
MC: Roberto Cavalli, Versace, especially Spring 2010, Oscar de la Renta, just  to
name a few.

LCL: When designing your collections what are some things you consider
while constructing the designs?
MC: One of the biggest misconceptions about plus size clothing is that you can take a size 6 dress, grade it up to a size 22 and you’ve got a plus size dress.  What most people don’t realize is, in order to make a dress that enhances curves (not covers them up), you must be very strategic in how you design.  If you look at a Monif C. garment, you’ll see darting, sometimes shirring, pleating, strategic fabric selection, print selection.   We also think very carefully about hem lines, and the cut of our dresses.

LCL: What is your favorite part about designing or the fashion industry
period?
MC: My favorite part is getting those emails and phone calls from customers saying how much they love an item or sending me pictures from an event they wore a dress to.  As a small company, we are able to be close to our customer and get feedback directly from them which I love and it keeps what we do on a daily basis in perspective.  It’s about serving the plus size community.

LCL: If it is up for discussion, what’s next for Monif C. the designer and
clothing line?
MC: Well, we recently launched our plus size swimwear line which your
readers can check out at: http://www.monifc.com/plus-size-swimwear.html.
We wanted to do swimwear because it’s so hard to find sexy, trendy plus
size swimsuits and our customer is a bold, sexy plus size woman and
needed that for her vacation also!  We also brought back our signature
“Marilyn” Convertible Dress and we’ve got some other goodies in store!

LCL: Before we end the interview, can you give the plus size designers, that are not quite there yet, some advice or kind words of wisdom?
MC: I would say keep going, that’s important, but also study the industry. I think too often people that launch plus size lines don’t realize there are multiple needs inside the plus size industry.  We need beautiful large size coats, large size shoes, plus size suits, etc. Figure out what you do best and bring that to the industry.  I also recommend interning for a design company so you can learn the ins and outs of the industry.

Check out the new swim wear line at http://www.monifc.com/plus-size-swimwear.html .

Queen Latifah performed “America the Beautiful” at the Superbowl XLIV tonight. Surprisingly (probably to me only), the Queen was not sporting a New Orleans Saints jersey. Instead, she opted for dark denim straight legged jeans, black t-shirt, and a metallic gray and black blazer. Cuuutttteee!!!! And as always the makeup and hair were flawless. The Queen also spoke at the Pregame and National Anthem Conference alongside Carrie Underwood. She always looks so classy.