Welcome to Plus Academy CHARLOTTE!

The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE is the premier training and development academy for plus size women in North Carolina & South Carolina. My name is Tiffany "Tip" Jones and I am elated and jumping up and down that I get to be your Director!

The primary goal of The Plus Academy is to remain a credible resource by providing you with the most current and factual information regarding the plus modeling industry.  We provide the "real deal".

Here's a little bit about me (or you can read a bunch of resume-style stuff on the "about" page):

• I've been involved in the plus modeling industry for a bit over 4 years
• 31 years old
• own a consulting firm focusing on fashion & entertainment (yeah, I pretty much dig this industry)
• I love stilettos (didn't always :)
• my biggest challenge as a model: knowing what my face looked like before it was digitally frozen in time on camera
• my best asset: uniqueness and the blonde cut
• what I do for fun: play dress-up, shop, golf, and dine out - I should have come up with the Zagat survey as much as I eat out...lol!

Now, it's your turn.  Post a reply introducing yourself, and providing fun facts so that I can learn more about you. Get ready to embark upon the journey that several famous plus models have traveled - The Plus Academy. The entire team is looking forward to meeting you at the Open House.  Be there!

Be fashionable. Be unpredictable.
-Tip Jones

P.S. Hurry! Don't forget to follow me on twitter, say hello and tell me about yourself. You can subscribe via email too!

Tiffany "Tip" Jones

Tiffany “Tip” Jones is most recognized for her appearance as a finalist on Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. Chance (The Oxygen Network) during its second season. Shortly after her appearance on the show, her involvement in the plus modeling industry soared.

In 2006, she and business partner, Ms. Jay Jarvis, released their plus size urban couture collection, BLUR Custom Dezigns.  She and BLUR have been featured in Plus Model Magazine, in over a dozen fashion shows, Baltimore's Fox 45, Radio One Baltimore 92Q Jams, Richmond 92.1 and 98.3.  Tip has also appeared as a feature model in Devoe Signature Events’, “Full Figured and Fabulous Competition”.

Most recently, the founder, Ms. Gwen Devoe, honored her with the opportunity to be the Affiliate Director of Plus Academy CHARLOTTE. “The massive amount of talent and beauty in this city paired with Ms. Devoe’s elite training curriculum will render some of the most educated, well-respected, industry-savvy plus models.  Charlotte deserves The Plus Academy.” - Tiffany Jones

Tip is CEO of The Consulting Studio, a boutique guerrilla marketing consulting firm.  The Studio, as it is affectionately known, is the “secret weapon” behind the fashion and entertainment industries.   

Coming Spring 2011, she will debut one of her most cherished efforts, the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, One Dollar College.  This national initiative encourages each citizen to donate just one dollar in order to send college bound students to school on full-ride scholarships and stall the cycle of debt.

Stay tuned. The team at BLUR are considering releasing a new collection some time in 2011.  

Class Schedule: Every Saturday 3/19-5/7

This is the business of modeling! 

Watch this clip from the Fall Semester Day 1 featuring special guests, Tanesha Dixon & Kelly McGlenn.

Just added for Spring 2011:
Acting 101
Meet the Press
The "You" Brand
Etiquette
Photographer Myths & Facts


Plus Modeling 101

Whether you want to model as a hobby or as a professional, this session will help give you insight on what is required to enter the field of plus modeling.  Students will be introduced to the basics of modeling and the different types of modeling.  Students will also be introduced to “industry lingo” (comp cards, TFPs, etc.) Learn how to prepare yourself, get paying jobs and avoid scams. 

This session will cover:

• How to be Successful in the Modeling Industry
• Qualifications of a Plus Model
• Types of Modeling (Fit, Print, Runway, Specialty)
• Pitfalls of the Industry

Stiletto Shape

Designed to help strengthen your leg muscles, the session starts with an intensive cardio warm up followed  by a toning and strengthening session. The dance routine is a combination of sexy and power moves that you can feel free to bring with you to your next night out on the town.

What to wear:  Moveable/breathable clothing.  High Heels are suggested but not mandatory.  Athletic shoes can be worn for just warm up or entire class. Heels should be as high as you feel comfortable  wearing with you to your next night out on the town.

Coloring Outside of the Lines
The very first thing people see is your clothing. Your clothing can cause others to desire to have you on their team or, desire to turn you away before you even say a word! As a model or even in everyday life, people like, love or hate what you are wearing, why not take some time and try new ways to seal the deal! Whether you are interested in taking your wardrobe to the next level or desire to be that model that leaves them saying, “ Wow, I never would have thought of that, but it looks great!”; Coloring OUTSIDE THE LINES will give you information you need to match complimenting colors with graphic, prints, or patterns.

This session will cover:

• Colors and why they complement each other 
• Visual power
• Graphics vs. Prints
• Non-directional patterns

Dress for Your Shape with Fashion101Plus.com

This session will cover:

• How to dress for your plus size shape
• Get answers to fit challenges and fashion dilemmas
• Reinvent your existing wardrobe with plus size fashion picks for your specific body type

Makeup 101: Becoming your own make-up artist
In the world of runway, clothing takes center stage and make-up must complement the fashion at all times.  Additionally, although professional modeling gigs provide a hair and make-up team, every model MUST know how to “paint” their own face in the case of an emergency. 


In this class, students will observe a beauty make-over and learn how to apply their own make-up. 

This session will cover:

• The different types of skin tones and textures
• Recommendations on professional cleansing and beauty products
• The techniques used to turn a fresh clean face into a normal day to day look, and finally a high fashion runway look

Curvy Tease

This class is specially designed for our plus-sized Divas who want to  preserve their sexy while learning a combination of pole, chair, and floor moves that will sculpt, tone, and burn calories.

Hair 101: Becoming your own hairstylist
Although most professional fashion shows, photo shoots and other projects in the world of modeling provide hair stylists on set, every model MUST know how to maintain their hair in case of a production emergency. 

This session will cover:

• Learning how to style your own hair, hair care, texture of hair, recommendations of hair products
• Techniques used to turn a hair don’t to a hair “do”
• The various types of wigs, weaves and hairstyles that can assist in changing their looks for various modeling assignments
• How your hair should look when going on a casting call, go-see or audition

Never a Day Off: The importance of maintenance beyond the morning routine
Adopting a weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly beauty and skin-care routine is essential.  Scheduled maintenance for waxing, shaving, trimming, dyeing, manicuring and beyond guarantees a model is consistently prepared and primed for her go-sees, mixers, and sudden opportunities.


This session will cover:

• Proper undergarment selection
• Choosing clothing that compliment and accentuate
• Making the "special occasion" look your "everyday" look

On the Market: Marketing yourself "guerrilla-style" and Web Basics
With social media as one of the main fabrics of our lives, we must be conscious, careful, and consistent with what is uploaded to the World Wide Web.  Models should also be aware of the innovative and creative ways to market themselves at little to no cost. 


This course is loaded with information that is useful and applicable to all industries.


This session will cover:

• Strategies and tactics to assertively compete in this ever growing plus model market
• How to go from "model" to "brand"
• Entering the Blogosphere, choosing a web designer, what to pay and what not to pay

Set the Foundation: The proper bra and foundation fit
Foundation undergarments and proper bra fit are extremely important.  It has been proven that most women are wearing the wrong bra size.  In this class students will learn about the different types of foundation undergarments, how wearing them can enhance their overall appearance, and how cost really does matter.

This session will cover:

• Foundation Basics
• Fittings/Levels of Control
• Finding Your Size in a Sea of Brands
• Individual Bra Fit

Who's Your Stylist?
Image is everything and in the world of fashion you only get one chance to put your best foot and face forward.  This class will give students tips on how to perfect a “model look”, and how to dress for their body type.   


This session will cover:

• Individual color analysis
• How to stand out at a casting using current and fashionable styles
• Personal style evaluations

Body Wealth
Runway modeling, shooting with a photographer and even attending a casting requires that you transcend into a personality that might not be your own. Movement is an important aspect of the industry. Prepare to MOVE!


STRIKE: Posing 101
Students will take an active part in this practical and fun session which will explore various ways to ensure that your photo sessions are successful and rewarding. 


This session will cover:

• Posing Basics (Runway, Print, Camera)
• Foot, Hand and Body Positioning
• Facial Expressions
• Body Movement

Giving as a Lifestyle
Fame and an abundance of resources will change our lives.  It is critical that our fame is put to good use to assist others.  Plus models have a unique opportunity to encourage the young and mature about self-image, humility, and identity.


This session will cover:

• Using your passion to help others
• Making your fame count
• Finding a cause to support

Straight Runway: For high fashion runway shows (every week)
(Classes are subject to change)

Spring 2011 Instructors...more TBA

Just Added!

Class: "Acting 101"

Yolanda Zellous


Class: "Meet the Press"

Jameka Whitten

Class: "Curvy Tease"

Deanna Allen

Class: "Stiletto Shape"

Anique Brewer

Class: "The Truth About Photographers"

Fred Braziel

Class: "Dressing for Your Specific Body Type"

Todd Albaum

Class: "Becoming Your Own Hairstylist"

Shakira Clark

Class: "Walking Curves"

Joy Tribble


Class: "Advanced Etiquette"

 Angela Pitre


Class: "Straight Runway"

Ashley "Runway B" Owens

Class: "The SWAP: Shed, Share, & re-Style"

Kamonda Phillips

Class: "Becoming Your Own Make-Up Artist"

Joy Randall

Class: "The Tangled WEB"

Joshua Craig

On-Site Photographer: "Lady Iman Photography"

 Kafi Robinson


Class: "Coloring Outside the Lines & Posing 101"

Jay Jarvis


Special Guest

Jessica Macks

Special Guest

Cory Bradley

Directions

Spirit Square
345 North College St.
Charlotte, NC


View Larger Map

Contact The Plus Academy Charlotte

347-644-8647

Meet Founder & Executive Director, Gwen Devoe

Gwen DeVoe, CEO of DeVoe Signature Events has rose to international prominence recently for creating and producing the first ever Full Figured Fashion Week in New York.

Featured in the finale fashion show were models who's careers have been shaped by training through Gwen Devoe's Plus Academy, the country's leading training and development academy dedicated to plus size women.

Since 1999, The Plus Academy has provided unsurpassed training and guidance, helping to launch the careers of several plus models, many of whom have appeared in print ads, runway showcases, television programs, online magazines, designer showcases, pageants and more. They have also offered a variety of personal development and lifestyle workshops for plus size women and pre-teenagers.

Gwen has expanded her Academy to reach plus size women on a regional level. Coming Fall 2010, The Plus Academy will debut in Charlotte. Classes will be taught by a team of professionals who are experienced in the plus size market and in conducting workshops associated with issues affecting plus size women.