What THICKCON 2026 Celebrated
- Event details: THICKCON 2026 brought plus-size fashion, live entertainment, industry honors and community together in Atlanta on Oct. 17.
- Key message: Shawnda Stovall urged plus-size women to embrace their purpose and take up space.
- Fashion industry: The runway featured independent boutiques, swimwear, denim and a range of styles modeled by plus-size women.
- Community impact: The event recognized industry contributions and highlighted the continuing need for more inclusive opportunities.
From a faith-filled reminder to take up space to a runway celebrating plus-size style, THICKCON 2026 brought fashion, friendship, Legacy and a whole lot of love to Atlanta.
Why I Wanted to Tell This Story
As the editor of The Curvy Fashionista, I cover plus-size fashion, the people creating it and the conversations shaping how we see ourselves in it. I pay attention to the clothes, of course, but I am just as interested in the people moving the industry forward, the designers taking risks and the women showing up in spaces that have not always made room for them.
That is why THICKCON 2026 caught my attention.
I wanted to experience the event firsthand, see the fashion for myself and talk with the people behind the recognition. I wanted to hear what the women building this community had to say about their work, their experiences and what it takes to create more opportunities for plus-size women.
Being in the room matters. Watching the models walk, noticing details in the collections, hearing the audience respond and speaking directly with the honorees gave me a perspective that a press release or event photos could not provide.
At The Curvy Fashionista, we believe plus-size fashion deserves coverage beyond who attended and what they wore. The people behind the clothes, the businesses creating opportunities and the women challenging expectations deserve stories told with care, context and personality.
That is the perspective I brought to THICKCON. I wanted to celebrate the people doing the work, share their words in their own voices and give readers a closer look at the community helping shape the future of plus-size fashion.
Have you ever had life spoken into you?
That is the feeling I carried home from THICKCON 2026. It was more than attending an event, seeing clothes and catching up with familiar faces. The feeling stayed with me because somebody said something I needed to hear, somebody showed up in a way that made me smile and, somewhere between the fashion, fellowship and music, I was reminded what happens when people make room for one another.
Held Oct. 17 at Westside Cultural Arts Center in Atlanta, the second annual THICKCON brought together plus-size fashion, live entertainment, industry honors and a community of women. The invitation was simple: come as you are, celebrate who you are and do not make yourself smaller to make somebody else comfortable.
Before the program began, the illuminated THICKCON letters caught my eye. Seeing the name displayed so prominently made me think about what the event could become. In its second year, the event already felt like something being built: not just another date on the calendar, but a space with room to grow and create opportunities.
The black-and-white decor gave the room an elegant touch, and the runway was ready for its moment. I took a couple of walks on it while the team prepared and imagined the models showing off their looks as the audience cheered.
As guests arrived, the space filled with hugs, conversations and familiar faces reconnecting. New connections were forming, too. Much of the community experience was already happening before anyone stepped onto the runway.
At THICKCON 2026, fashion was central to the celebration, but people were its heart.
What Message Did Shawnda Stovall Share With Plus-Size Women?
Shawnda Stovall urged plus-size women to embrace who they are, value their purpose and refuse to shrink themselves for other people. Her keynote opened the program after host Nikki Lee welcomed guests.
Stovall’s keynote connected self-love, faith and visibility with the experience of plus-size women.
A speaker, teacher, certified master life coach and trauma-informed faith coach, Stovall spoke about self-love, embracing who you are and refusing to settle in relationships. Her delivery was funny, direct and rooted in faith, and her presence made the message feel personal even in a room full of women.
Self-love appears everywhere, from social media feeds to inspirational quote cards and captions about knowing your worth. But scrolling past a message is different from sitting in a room with someone who makes you stop and think about what those words mean in your life.
Stovall did not offer a quick reminder and send everyone on their way.
“If you have no enemies, that means you have no table,” she said.
That idea deserves a moment of reflection.
Visibility can bring opinions, and speaking up can bring disagreement. Sometimes, the very thing that makes you stand out is what somebody else wants you to tone down.
But the answer does not have to be becoming more palatable. Other people’s discomfort is not a reason to dim your light.
When I asked Stovall what every plus-size woman should do starting today, she brought the conversation back to faith, purpose and every woman’s value.
“God did not make a mistake when He made you,” she said. “You were created on purpose and by design, and when God made you, He made no one else like you.”
She reminded women that past mistakes do not erase purpose, and clothing sizes do not disqualify anyone from making a difference.
“Don’t let nobody tell you that because we are a size 18, 20, 22, 24 or whatever, that we cannot be used for His purpose, for His passion, for His glory,” she said. “And that you cannot make an impact in this world or in somebody’s life.”
Then she offered a line I hope every woman who needed that reminder carried home.
“Girl, take up space and make them pay attention to who you are.”
I love a woman who understands the assignment.
For too long, plus-size women have been expected to negotiate their visibility: dress this way, avoid that silhouette, be confident but not too confident, show up but do not take up too much room.
Stovall’s message was a reminder that your worth is not up for a vote. You do not need everybody’s approval to live in your purpose, wear an outfit, pursue an opportunity or walk into a room knowing you belong there.
That reminder is worth hearing often.
How Did THICKCON 2026 Recognize Plus-Size Fashion Pioneers?
THICKCON 2026 honored people who have helped move plus-size fashion forward, including Gwen DeVoe, former owner of Full Figured Fashion Week, who received the THICKCON Icon Award.
DeVoe’s award connected the history of plus-size fashion events with the community continuing to build today.
When I spoke with DeVoe, she gave me a title update that made me smile.
“I’m no longer auntie, I’ve been crowned as Motha,” she said.
And listen, Motha has a nice ring to it.
Beneath the playful moment was a larger story about legacy, influence and work that continues to matter long after an event ends.
Asked how she felt about receiving the award, DeVoe said, “I’m feeling very blessed, and just grateful that even though my event was retired several years ago, we are still getting the accolades, which means the event was definitely impactful.”
Legacy can endure when people create opportunities and open doors that others continue to discuss years later.
Full Figured Fashion Week helped create visibility and opportunities for plus-size designers, models and businesses. DeVoe’s recognition at THICKCON connected that history to the community still building today.
Getting plus-size women onto a runway is one thing. Creating opportunities for designers to reach customers, models to grow their careers and businesses to serve an audience that has been overlooked is another.
Both matter.
The people who helped build those spaces deserve recognition while they are here to receive it.
DeVoe’s moment showed that work can remain meaningful after its original platform closes. Its influence can continue through inspired people, developed careers and new spaces.
That is a legacy worth celebrating.
What Advice Did Donisha Hill Give Aspiring Plus-Size Models?
Donisha Hill, recipient of the THICKCON Model of the Year award, encouraged aspiring plus-size models to keep attending castings, even when they feel out of place or question whether they belong.
Hill’s advice links persistence at castings with greater visibility for plus-size models.
Hill walked every outfit with energy and confidence. When she received her honor, her joy and emotion were unmistakable, and the community responded with encouragement and love.
What stood out was what she said about the work behind the recognition.
When I asked what she wanted plus-size women to know, Hill encouraged them to keep showing up for castings, even when the room does not reflect them or the industry makes them question whether they belong.
“Keep showing up because at the end of the day, we don’t walk outside naked. We walk outside, there’s clothes somewhere for us. Keep showing up, keep going to those castings,” she said.
Hill’s account highlights the work behind representation. Campaigns, runway photos and finished styling show the result, but not always what it takes to get there.
Hill spoke candidly about being the only plus-size model in a room.
“A lot of times, like I said, sometimes I’m the only girl in the room and it can be hard and I carry a lot, you know, when I go home. It’s still, it’s still a stigma with it, but I keep showing up because somebody has to do it.”
That last part matters.
Somebody has to keep entering those rooms and challenge assumptions about which bodies belong in fashion campaigns, on runways and in casting conversations.
Plus-size models are part of the audience, the talent pool and the fashion conversation, not a special request.
Hill explained what can happen when decision-makers see plus-size models doing their work.
“When they see us at those castings, they see us walk, they see how beautiful they are, you can see their eyes light up and they want us.”
She also acknowledged that the clothes and opportunities are not always available yet.
“They just haven’t made those clothes yet, but I guarantee you, if you keep showing up, they’re going to start making those clothes.”
Hill’s perspective does not suggest that barriers have disappeared; it describes the persistence required to push against them.
For aspiring models, her advice is straightforward: keep going to auditions and keep showing up, even when you are the only one in the room.
For brands, designers and casting teams, the message is equally clear. Serving plus-size customers means reflecting that commitment in the clothes, models and opportunities they offer. Representation cannot begin and end with a celebratory post.
How Did Nzinga Imani Bring Friendship and Legacy Into THICKCON?
THICKCON made space for personal recognition through Nzinga Imani, who participated in a tribute to her late friend Wondrea and received the THICKCON Honors in Media award.
Imani’s tribute showed how public recognition can also honor friendship and personal connections.
Actress, creator and model Nzinga Imani, known for playing Angela, Fatima’s friend, on Tyler Perry’s Sistas and Zatima, took part in a tribute to her late friend Wondrea.
Community includes people beside us today and those who shaped us, encouraged us and left an enduring impression.
Imani also received the THICKCON Honors in Media award, recognizing her presence in entertainment and a culture where plus-size women continue to shape conversations about visibility and representation.
This part of the afternoon showed how public recognition can carry a private story. Behind titles, credits and accomplishments are friendships, memories and people who helped shape us.
Fashion can bring people into a room, while relationships often give that room meaning.
THICKCON created opportunities to recognize people’s public work while acknowledging the community and personal connections that sustain them.
What Fashion Appeared on the THICKCON 2026 Runway?
The THICKCON runway presented a range of plus-size styles, including gowns, prom-inspired looks, swimwear and denim. Participating labels included Accentuate Me Boutique, Fluffy Diva Boutique, 2WthriftATL, Remixx Style House, Cherri Cheek Swimwear and Onion by Whitney Mero.
The runway lineup paired different clothing categories with independent boutiques, swimwear and thrift styling.
The runway featured Accentuate Me Boutique, Fluffy Diva Boutique, 2WthriftATL and Remixx Style House, Cherri Cheek Swimwear and Onion by Whitney Mero.
The range of looks showed that plus-size fashion does not belong in one narrow category.
There were gowns, prom-inspired looks, swimsuits and pieces with a sexier style. Some looks were made for a grand entrance; others celebrated the fun of putting together an outfit that feels like you.
The audience cheered and encouraged the models as they walked. The room showed support across different looks, body types and levels of experience.
That is the kind of fashion environment I want to see more of: one where women can experiment, enjoy personal style and decide for themselves what makes them feel fabulous.
Who decided plus-size women should have a limited fashion vocabulary, anyway?
The participation of 2WthriftATL and Remixx Style House brought thrift and styling perspectives to the lineup, while the boutique segments highlighted the individuality of independent businesses in the plus-size market.
And then there was the denim.
I spotted Sydney West McCoy’s denim collection during the event, and the denim puffer jacket immediately caught my attention. I appreciate a good denim piece, and I liked seeing a familiar wardrobe staple treated as the main event.
Denim does not have to mean the same jeans-and-top combination. A different silhouette, texture or styling choice can make a familiar fabric feel new.
That jacket was a reminder that personal style is not about following a list of things you are supposedly allowed to wear. It is about finding pieces that speak to you and having fun with them.
Cherri Cheek Swimwear also caught my attention, particularly because The Curvy Fashionista had covered the brand earlier in the year. Seeing the swimwear in person gave me a closer appreciation of the details.
One green swimsuit stood out for its velvet texture and rhinestone detail on the cheek. The design showed that swimwear can have personality, texture and a point of view.
The representation mattered because plus-size bodies exist through different stages of life and are not limited to one shape, age or version of what fashion campaigns have traditionally shown.
Women should be able to see themselves in swimwear and runway presentations without their bodies being treated as exceptions that need an explanation.
Plus-size women can be glamorous, playful, sensual, classic, experimental or all of the above. They do not need to pick one personality and build an entire wardrobe around it.
Why Was THICKCON 2026 About More Than Fashion?
THICKCON 2026 connected fashion with recognition, personal stories and discussion of the work still needed for greater inclusion. Its honors and conversations highlighted people building opportunities and visibility for plus-size women.
Community recognition can celebrate progress while drawing attention to continuing barriers.
Fashion brought many people into the room, but the afternoon made space for more.
The honors recognized people whose work has helped shape the industry. Stovall challenged women to embrace their purpose. Hill spoke about showing up in spaces that do not always make room for plus-size models. DeVoe’s recognition celebrated a legacy that continues to influence the community.
And Imani’s tribute to her late friend Wondrea reminded us that the people who shape our lives remain part of our stories.
Each moment offered a different perspective on what it means to build community.
Sometimes community means creating opportunities for the next generation. Sometimes it means telling the truth about how difficult the work can be, celebrating people who opened doors before us or simply showing up and reminding someone that they belong.
That last part deserves more attention.
Telling people they are welcome is different from creating an environment where they feel welcome. The conversations, cheering, recognition and celebration of different bodies and styles all contributed to the atmosphere at THICKCON.
The event also highlighted work still ahead. Designers must continue expanding size ranges, brands need to consider who is missing from their campaigns and models deserve opportunities to grow their careers. The fashion industry needs to treat plus-size consumers as an audience worth serving, not an afterthought.
Celebrating progress does not mean pretending the work is finished.
It means recognizing the people doing the work and encouraging others to join them.
How Did THICKCON Close the Celebration?
The David Collins Band closed the event with a live performance after the runway and awards. The music gave guests another chance to connect, dance and celebrate together.
Live music extended the event’s community atmosphere beyond the runway and awards.
After an afternoon of fashion, heartfelt speeches and celebrating women, live music was a fitting close.
Earlier in the day, I had seen Arleisha Marshall rehearsing with the band as the team prepared. Even during sound check, the performance sounded lively, and I thought the evening would be a treat.
And they did not disappoint.
By the closing performance, the runway had served its purpose, the honorees had received their flowers and the room was ready to enjoy itself. The music gave everyone another opportunity to connect and celebrate the afternoon.
There is something special about watching a room full of people who came together for fashion enjoy one another’s company. No speeches or runway cues, just music, company and a reason to stay a little longer.
Isn’t that what community should feel like?
What Did THICKCON 2026 Leave Us Thinking About?
THICKCON 2026 left me thinking about the women I spoke with and the stories they trusted me to share, as much as the fashion I came to see.
The event’s central takeaway was that fashion, opportunity and community are closely connected.
Shawnda Stovall reminded us that size does not determine purpose. Gwen DeVoe showed how work can continue to make an impact years after an event ends. Donisha Hill spoke candidly about being the only plus-size model in the room and why she keeps showing up. Nzinga Imani reminded us that people who shape our lives deserve to be remembered and celebrated.
Those conversations mattered because they spoke to experiences beyond the runway.
As a fashion journalist, I love a good collection: thoughtful construction, an interesting silhouette and a designer who enjoys experimenting with fashion. But the clothes are only part of the conversation.
Who gets to wear them? Who gets hired to model them? Who creates opportunities for the next generation? And who ensures the people who helped build this industry receive recognition?
Those questions matter in an industry that still has work to do on plus-size inclusion.
What I appreciated about THICKCON was that the celebration did not avoid these conversations. They took place onstage, backstage and in the interviews I had throughout the afternoon.
I keep coming back to something Donisha Hill said: “Keep showing up.”
The advice is simple, but there is a lot behind those three words.
Keep showing up when opportunities feel limited. Keep showing up when you are the only person who looks like you in the room. Keep creating, designing, modeling and building spaces where the next woman does not have to fight quite as hard to be seen.
THICKCON is in its second year, and I am interested to see how it continues to grow. There is room for more designers, more conversations and more opportunities to introduce audiences to the people shaping plus-size fashion.
As for me, I will be keeping an eye on what comes next.
The afternoon reminded me that our community has talent, personality and stories worth telling.
And as Shawnda Stovall boldly reminded us, “Girl, take up space and make them pay attention to who you are.”
That is a message I can get behind.
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