10 Reasons to Choose The Plus Academy

1. We exclusively hire instructors who are reputable, notable, and leaders in their industries (ie. Liris, Chyna McGarity, Mia Amber, etc).
2. Industry-standard information is taught, equipping students to pursue successful careers in plus modeling.
3. Well-connected to the "top dawgs" in fashion.
4. Uh...Full Figured Fashion Week.  www.fffweek.com  Never been? Check it out.
5. Fully comprehensive program.
6. PA Directors have flourishing careers in fashion, modeling, entertainment, and marketing.  Gwen Devoe hires no slackers. ;)
7. A diverse menu of classes scheduled every semester.
8. More expensive than other modeling programs ($525).  Now, that's a good place to cheer! You get what you pay for, right?
9. There is no age requirement.  We encourage women ages 35 and over to register.
10. Become an integral part of the large network of The Plus Academies Nationwide, Bahamas, and New Mexico.  Plus, we have fun...and a lot of it!

Reserve your seat before someone else does. 

Pre-register Today!

Not Your Mama's Mary Kay

I don't know about you, but I remember pink Mary Kay bottles of an assortment of potions and lotions around my house when I was growing up.  Between foam washes, toners, foundations, and the occasional eye shadow palette, I had a great time playing dress-up.  I also remember my Mom painting on brick red lipstick and after 2 or 3 hours of singing in the church choir on Sunday morning, the quality of her make-up showed its true colors.  That was like 1985 and Girlfriends, the product was good then but it's phenomenal now!

Mary Kay is one of the leading skin care companies and women all over the world continue to change their lives and net worth by becoming independent beauty consultants.  Not to mention, they love their jobs (and are able to quit working for someone else).  How's that for living?  Beauty, financial security, and the ability to  inspire other women every day to do the same.

Independent Beauty Consultant, Sylvia Fierro, will be on site at the Open House on October 2nd at Spirit Square.  Stocked with the products you love and new goodies, too, you will have a chance to purchase all your favorite beauty effects and learn about Mary Kay's new products.  Come early (by 2:30) and receive a personal consultation with Sylvia.

Featured in Charlotte STYLE Magazine

As Charlotte Fashion Week really gets underway this weekend and the Open House next weekend, it is an honor to be showcased in this very fashionable periodical.

"Charlotte STYLE Magazine highlights Charlotte’s presence in the fashion and lifestyle industry to readers viewing the magazine in the Charlotte Region and around the world. We represent, embody and influence Charlotte’s STYLE community. We are the voice of the stylish, sophisticated and informed."

If you have a business, this is where you want to spend your advertising dollars. 

"Charlotte STYLE Magazine has the ability to expose upwards of 46,000 chic, fierce and fabulous fashion forward customers, making them aware of your business via our e-mail list, Twitter followers, Facebook fans, Facebook Group and Web site visitors. Best of all advertising with us is affordable so you can’t afford NOT to do it."

We can't wait to see where Charlotte Style Magazine takes The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE. :)

Custom Fit Shapewear for YOU, the Plus Size Woman

A Letter from the Creator of UR Tight, 

Ms. Loretta Spearman:

"We have designed special shapewear that is not on our website yet, but we will display and sell up to 11 styles that you can purchase and get custom fit measurements on-site the day of The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE Open House. Also, we will have an array of colors, so please come prepared to pre-order your new shapewear and bring your friends' measurements too.  We will also be giving away a complete set of custom fit shapewear!!!"

URTIGHT is a Body Image Apparel Company, who's main focus and goal is to ensure all products are designed with a main focus on the end user. We have designed and developed apparel which has health and wellness benefits of blood circulation & stimulation properties- which contributes to better health.


Our Custom design services allows UR TIGHT to focus on fit and ensure each customer has a personal measurement session with us, to achieve the absolute best results. Our designs offer smooth transitional colors and styles that will compliment the wearer as they make body transitions during weight reduction and redistribution.


The top quality fabric we use makes all the difference - who would ever think to make shapewear look and feel so smooth - you could wear it to the gym, and no-one would even say it's shapewear-- bright beautiful colors so transitional that it does NOT need to be hidden anymore. Our high- quality fabrication keeps the body amazingly cool, and dry- even acts as a body temperature regulator. You will not be disappointed in URTIGHT's performance care- no bleach, odorless, and sure to last years - you will want one in each color!!


Shapewear has never looked so good on your body, and performed so well- to better your body wellness. WELCOME TO UR-TIGHT!!!! Your body will surely THANK YOU. GET UR TIGHT CAUSE It's RIGHT!!!

Good Help is Simple to Find

It isn't all our fault. It's these guys who are making us so popular. :)

Thank you to Jameka Whitten, CEO of JSW Media Group and her team for their dedication and persistence.  If it snows on October 2nd (yeah right!), we know the exposure will render a great attendance because of their hard work.

With an extensive background in journalism, communications, business and marketing, Renaissance woman Jameka S. Whitten is poised to take the entertainment industry by storm. 

She is the owner of JSW Media Group, a boutique public relations, marketing and brand management firm focused on the entertainment, fashion and publishing fields. Jameka was the Co-Founder and former Executive Creative Director for SOTAC (State of the Arts & Culture) Magazine (now SOTACi) but resigned at the end of 2007 to pursue opportunities with JSW Media Group. In addition to owning JSW Media Group and serving as CEO, Jameka is the Chief Operating Officer for Amped 4-A-Cure, Inc, a non-profit organization that supports cancer research through music. She is also a managing partner with the|FASHION HOUSE, a full service fashion agency. 

Visit www.jswmediagroup.com and learn more about how their services can improve your event and business.

We're in Daily Venus Diva Magazine!

(By the way, we love Maddy!)

What's In a Name?

“The Plus Academy”...let’s dissect this.

plus

- positive; having a certain quality to an unusual degree; more by the addition of; a surplus or gain

academy

- a group of authorities and leaders in a field of scholarship, art, etc., who are often permitted to dictate standards, prescribe methods, and criticize new ideas.

So, essentially...”we are the authority, the dictator of standards in the field of plus modeling which leads and educates women who possess the most positive and unique qualities.

You are that woman. We are the Plus Academy.

10.2.10 Spirit Square, Charlotte, North Carolina...be there.

Who is T. Strong?

T. Strong is The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE instructor of "Who's Your Stylist?" and "Know Your Foundation" for the Fall 2010.  Get to know her...

She is the go-to resource for style advice for the every day, yet chic and fashionable woman. From Red Carpet reporting to reviewing the hottest new fashion trends or answering the age old question “Can I wear black and brown together?” through her blog “StyleMayvin”, T. Strong’s strength lies in the ability to interpret the fashion and style for every woman and the commitment to assist her in putting her best manicured foot forward.

The Source Magazine - Macy's -  Sean John

As early as a pre-teen, T. Strong was intrigued by fashion. This early love of fashion resulted in over 10 years of semi-professional modeling and professional fashion experience in NYC beginning as a buyer for Federated Department Stores (now known as Macy*s Group). This position began the eternal quest to understand fashion from all angles. She later held positions at Nautica Enterprises, Lord & Taylor and Renault Printemps/Redcats USA (parent company of Gucci) as a Buyer/Product Manager which included a position with Lane Bryant's Catalog Division as well as with some of the world’s largest publications; Conde Nast, Essence Magazine (Time Inc.) and The Source Magazine.

Lane Bryant - Essence Magazine - Gucci

While learning the business of fashion, T. Strong “double-majored” in fashion show production and special events by freelancing as well as creating a private corporation to gain the inside track of the industry. T. Strong is the former co-owner/co-founder of Strong Godfrey Burke Allen (sgba) Productions, a fashion show and special event production company founded in 1998. In its day, sgba produced fashion shows and events for The American Cancer Society, The Source Magazine, Gear Magazine, BCBG, Diane Von Furstenberg, Sean John, James Caviello, RocaWear and numerous seminars for the original, Miami based Urban Fashion Week to name a few. The company was later disbanded but the knowledge gained from the experience has broadened the level of fashion expertise T. Strong brings to any project.

Nautica - Lord & Taylor - BCBG

Recently, T. Strong answered the call as a fashion expert for WGIV 103.3 providing regular segments on style and fashion events. She served as one of the red carpet correspondent for the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Fashion Show “Front Row” (2009), Mistress of Ceremony for the Red Pump/Red Tie Affair in support of World AIDS Day, has been featured on FOX Network’s Morning News segment “Wardrobe Wednesday” (Charlotte) and presently produces the segment “Life & Style Tip of the Week” on FOX every Monday. Currently, T. Strong is the host of the Queen City's very first makeover show, “Speaking Fashionese” which airs on Creative Loafing's website. Her sparkling, energetic personality and knowledge of fashion adds grandeur and finesse to the content of the show. As a blogger, T. Strong continues to keep readers worldwide “In the KNOW…” with weekly updates on www.stylemayvin.com and is presently one of Old Navy's official bloggers providing them with information on shopping experience and personal merchandising choices.  T. Strong resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband and three children.

Old Navy - Fox News - Creative Loafing

She's who you want to know.