I attended Fashion Week’s first-ever plus-size runway show on Wednesday, for the label OneStopPlus. Yesterday, I posted about the body-image insensitive Pretzel Crisps incident — and unfortunately that was not the event’s only weight-insensitive gaffe.

But first the celebs! Nikki Blonsky and Gabourey Sidibe were in attendance, along with Jersey Housewife Caroline Manzo and America’s Next Top Model winner Whitney Thompson. I was most excited to see Richard Schiff, who played White House staffer Toby Ziegler on The West Wing – so maybe that says something about my qualifications for covering a fashion show.

Based on the fifteen minutes spend hanging around the press area, Gaby and Nikki truly seemed like two of most genuinely sweet celebs I’d ever encountered — so hooray for them! Gabourey seemed excited about the show as talked about a future where all designers will make clothes for plus-size women. She emphasized how many fashionable larger women there are, saying “we are here and we do buy clothes.”

Both Nikki and Gaby wore black, the color Nikki named as her favorite. The Hairspray star talked about feeling comfortable in her body, explaining her personal definition of beauty as “how you feel about yourself when you wake up in the morning.”

Here’s where the insensitivity and awkwardness comes in: After the red carpet we headed inside, where I was seated directly behind Nikki and Gaby. Fashion Week events are notoriously crowded and organizers try to cram as many people as possible into small spaces. The chairs alongside the runway are tiny and pressed right up against one another. The seating arrangements at this show would have been less-than-comfortable for anyone, but at an event held specifically for full-bodied women they were actually insulting. Inviting celebrity guests, then failing to give them ample room to sit comfortably? The audience was quite disappointed to see how, even at a plus-size event, the mindset of the industry is still so overwhelmingly skinny-centric.

But onto the fashion! The show featured models of a range of sizes, including former ANTM-er Toccara Jones (who hammed it up for the camera!). The clothes were pastel and flowy and quite pretty, in my opinion — though it must be said that none of them were anything Toby Ziegler would ever have worn.

(photos via Crushable, Getty)

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YBF says:

The show will follow the YBF chick on her daily model/actress/tv personality grind. And we get to get a peek into what she does on the daily. And maybe even her life as an NBA girlfriend.

Toccara is dating LA Clippers player Rashual Butler.

Oxygen tried the ANTM-alum show before – remember Pretty Wicked? I think Toccara has what it takes to carry her own reality show. The pilot is currently filming.

Will you be watching?

Image: Newscom

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I think this look is quite a risk for Tyra, but she definitely pulls it off. It’s once of her better red carpet looks in a while.

The BET Awards were started in 2001 to honor African American achievements in music, acting, sports and entertainment. In its eight years, it has turned into one of the largest and most exciting awards shows of the year. Last night’s show was a tribute to Michael Jackson.

Tyra and Michael have a history together – she appeared in his 1991 music video for Black or White. You can watch the video here, Tyra makes an appearance at 5:30 as one of the morphing heads.

Toccara Jones, who is a presenter for BET and competed on Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model walked the red carpet in a sexy black jumpsuit.

I think the jumpsuit is great, but I’m not a fan of her updo. What do you think?

I think it’s interesting that both Tyra and Toccara wore pant ensembles for their red carpet appearances. Red carpet fashion has certainly changed over the years and I appreciate the risks stars have been taking!

Image: Splash News Online | Newscom

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Image: Splash News Online

I really like Toccara’s new haircut. It’s sleek and fresh and makes her look far younger than the longer, curly look she was sporting a few weeks ago. And the dress is pretty cute too!

Guests included Hot 97’s Angie Martinez & Miss Info, Rapper Freaky Zeaky, DJ Clue, Fabolous, Ron Brownz, Bobby Valentino and The Retro Kidz. The part looks like it was a lot of fun, with tons of drinking, singing and dancing. You can see photos from inside the party here.

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Right now, the video is only available through the official website. It’s currently priced at $19.99 and includes free shipping. Juding by the teaser video, the workput doesn’t seem that challenging, but maybe that’s the point. By showing women that working out and getting fit is attainable, easy and even fun, they can perhaps move on to bigger and better things once Toccara whips them into shape.

I must admit, as cheesy as the video looks, Toccara looks healthier and fitter than ever. Maybe she’s putting everything she learned from Celebrity Fit Club and Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp to work.

Image: I Am Toccara

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Premiering more than ten years after his death, NOTORIOUS is a biopic about the life of rapper Notorious BIG. It covers his life from his beginnings as a Brooklyn street hustler to his emergence as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Unknown actor Jamal Woolard plays the title role and Angela Bassett takes a turn as his mom, Voletta. The film will hit theaters everywhere on January 16th.

The turnout for the premiere and afterparty was huge, drawing stars like Mary J Blige, Beyonce, Ciara, Busta Rhymes, Nas and Jay-Z.

Image: Newscom

I’m glad Toccara went for a sleek and simple outfit for this event. She’s really missed the mark these past few months, but this look is a step in the right direction.

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I think Eva looks really cute here, with her hair pulled back and her white sweater. Toccara, on the other hand, looks like somebody’s mom. I love Toccara, but where has her sense of style gone these past few events?

What do you think of their gift-wrapping attire?

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The giant hair is overwhelming. Im all for lots of hair, but the shape needs to flatter and this doesn’t.

What do you think of Toccara’s red carpet look?

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I’m not really a fan of this look. I like the idea behind it a lot, but not the execution. I’m not the only one. Red Carpet Fashion named her the worst dressed of the night.

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Naturally, they started with Toccara Jones, the vivacious plus-sized model from Cycle 3. Toccara has been working non-stop since her time on ANTM and recently did a 14-page spread for the infamous all-black issue of Vogue Italia. Toccara had more pages than any other model, including Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell.

Toccara is fantastic, I’m so glad her career is doing well.

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