EMPOWERING WOMEN: Broadening the Definition of Beauty in Fashion and the Media

On the heels of adding author to her list of titles with the release of her debut book, The Art of Dressing Curves, celebrity stylist Susan Moses is now adding the distinguished position of advocate to her resume with the launch of Empowering Women NYC, a platform to advocate for the equal representation of ALL women in fashion, beauty and the media. The groundbreaking organization officially launched on Monday, May 9th with the “Body Inclusivity & Diversity Summit,” held in the most fitting of locations, the United Nations.

Susan gathered over 300 of fashion, beauty and the media’s top thought leaders and influencers to openly discuss how to be “agents of change,” and how to continue to democratize the industry that has slowly began changing its antiquated standards of what is deemed beautiful at the UN’s Prestigious Delegates Dining Room.

Guests of the inaugural Empowering Women NYC luncheon were first treated to the showing of the spring capsule collection of the Christian Siriano for Lane Bryant collection which was held out on the terrace. The models for the show included the who’s who of the Curvy Girl lexicon including models Ashley Graham and Candice Huffine, bloggers GabiFresh and Nicolette Mason and Orange is the New Black’s Danielle Brooks, who served as the designer’s muse and closed the show.

Following the show, the afternoon’s epic agenda continued with the attendees listening to an eclectic mix of stellar speakers and panelists hailing from the fashion, beauty, creative and media worlds. Some of the diverse class of speakers included:

  • Cindi Leive, Editor-in-Chief, Glamour Magazine
  • Linda Heasley, Chief Executive Officer, Lane Bryant
  • Jill Scott, three-time Grammy Award Winning Singer, Songwriter and Actress
  • Sherri Shepherd, Comedian, Actress and Host of The View
  • Emme, the first plus supermodel, Body Positive Activist
  • Ashley Graham, Model, Designer, Body Activist
  • Mikki Taylor, Author &  Editor at Large, Essence Magazine
  • Brian Beitler, Chief Marketing Officer, Lane Bryant
  • Christian Siriano, CFDA Designer
  • Danielle Brooks, Actress and Star of Orange is the New Black and Broadway’s Color Purple

Lane Bryant served as the afternoon’s title sponsor with other notable brands including Bond NO 9, MSA Models, True Model Management, Beauty Blender, Mattel, Decade Citizen, Yandy.com (whose Chief Marketing Officer Charley Clemens was on hand to fete the launch of Empowering Women NYC), EMME, Glamour Magazine, Ashay Media and Kusmi Tea.

When asked about her vision for Empowering Women NYC, Founder Susan Moses responded, “It’s imperative that we continue to nurture the value of all women equally regardless of size, age and ethnicity in fashion, beauty and the media at large.”

For more about Empowering Women NYC, visit http://susanmoses.com/empowering-women-nyc/.

For more about the Art of Dressing Curves, visit: http://susanmoses.com/the-art-of-dressing-curves/.

ABOUT SUSAN MOSES

Susan Moses is a celebrity stylist who has styled for numerous magazines, television shows, films, and red carpet events. Her clients include Britney Spears, Queen Latifah, Brandy, Kathy Bates, Wynonna Judd, Jill Scott, and many others. She is a former stylist for Mode magazine, was named one of the “Six Plus Fashion Power Players on the Rise” in Ebony, and has appeared on HSN to help the network’s plus-size audience dress. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. For more information about Susan Moses, visit her website, www.susanmoses.com.

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A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

Cover Reveal & Pre-Order Offer for Sandra Richard’s New Children’s Book, Rice & Rocks

 

Rice & Rocks by Sandra L Richards

New York, NY— First time author, Sandra L. Richards, teamed with “mommy” bloggers and children’s lit enthusiasts, Pragmatic Mom and Here Wee Read for the exclusive cover reveal of her highly anticipated debut children’s book, Rice & Rocks.

Published by Wise Ink, Rice & Rocks brings a unique contribution to the world of children’s literature as it celebrates tradition, culture and diversity. The book tells the story of Giovanni whose friends are coming over for Sunday dinner and he’s embarrassed that his grandmother is serving rice and beans. He does not like “rice and rocks” and worries his friends will think the traditional Jamaican dish is weird. But his favorite Auntie comes to the rescue. She and Giovanni’s pet parrot, Jasper, take him on a magical journey across the globe, visiting places where people eat different versions of rice and rocks—reveling in the varied traditions of different culture while highlighting the delicious similarities that links us together.

The picture book will be released in print and eBook formats on August 16th, 2016 and a special pre-order offer for signed copies is now open on the author’s website. For every five books sold, Sandra will donate one to a children’s literacy organization.

The cover and the book in its entirety features the illustrations of recent Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) grad, Megan Sullivan. Rice & Rocks marks Megan’s first published work.

 

ABOUT SANDRA L. RICHARDS (AUTHOR)

Sandra L. Richards is the debut picture book author of Rice & Rocks. With Rice & Rock, Sandra brings a unique contribution to the world of children’s books. Sandra, an American-born daughter of Jamaican immigrant parents, hopes the book will serve as an educational resource for families seeking to teach their children the value of their heritage and the importance of cultural diversity.

Sandra is also Executive Director and Head of Diverse and Multicultural Marketing, Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Richards served as the Development Officer, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Learn more about Sandra L. Richards by visiting her website.

 

ABOUT MEGAN SULLIVAN (ILLUSTRATOR)

Megan Kayleigh Sullivan graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 2012 with a degree in Illustration. She is currently working as a freelance illustrator and storyboard artist, and aspires towards a career in the film and animation industry as a concept artist, character designer, or visual development artist (or d., all of the above). She enjoys traveling, writing, telling stories, and hula-hooping. Visit her at her website.