IF you are a woman with a dress size of twelve and above, eats fairly regularly and wants to wear clothes that won't make you look like Betty Suarez from Ugly Betty, then you are very familiar with the hurdles of finding fashionable clothes. Well, fret not. There is a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of Full Figured Fashion week (fffw)

Full Figured Fashion Week was founded in 2009 by former plus size and fashion show producer, Gwen Devoe. The event started off with seven sponsors and had its fair share of negative press with some people claiming the event was propagating obesity. The fact is the present pin up girls of fashion: emaciated, between 5”10 and above, tiny waist, with a perfect proportioned upper body to lower body ratio, plus a face with all the right contours  is just a small percentage of  women on earth. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian are getting upset when referred to as  plus size and Tyra Banks  refused to be called fat by losing the extra 30 lbs she gained after retiring from modelling  when tabloids ran unflattering photos of her in a bathing suit. Such photos are is not helping the plight of those women that fall  outside the perimeters of what we have now accepted to be beautiful, so, it was with much anticipation that I waited for the 2nd edition of the Full Figured Fashion week  and I must say I wasn't  disappointed. This year's event, held in the ballroom of Park Central Hotel, New York City from 16-19 June 2010, had 35 sponsors, including Lane Bryant, Revlon, Sonsi.com, T.J. Maxx, JMS, and Lucielua with above 300 spectators, and was hosted by plus-size model Emma. The show was very different from the usual runway presentation we are accustomed to. For starters, the models were all plus-size, radiating good health and the atmosphere was friendly without any hint of haughtiness.  I picked up some key trends from the runway that is hot right now and will make you look fabulous...

.•Batik and Tie-Dye:   Tie& Dye is very hot right now. If you are aiming at a sophisticated look, try one with a dark-colour background instead of white. Also, an abstract pattern is more flattering.

•White: Quite flattering when worn in the right style. If you are not convinced white is for you, try cream.

•Gold: I spotted a gold mini on the runway. Instead , you can accessorise with gold to add flare  to your look.

•Knee Length skirts or dresses  that hit at or right above the knee are  very flattering regardless of your size.

•Skirts & Dresses: Semi-fitted styles with open necklines will subtly show off your curves and flared skirt helps to counterbalance your upper body.

•Ruching: Apart from making you look  expensive, it makes satin wearable by reducing  wrinkles.