Photograph by Ben Rollins
In 2008, when blogs were first blowing up, Chastity Garner Valentine launched GarnerStyle to share tips and advice with the plus-size community. Today, she boasts more than 300,000 followers on Instagram alone. CurvyCon, her annual event held during New York Fashion Week, draws an international audience of some 1,800 attendees, including the likes of Gabby Sidibe and Venus Williams.
Neighborhood West Cobb
Plus-size pioneer A severe knee injury ended my runway days as a plus-size model. GarnerStyle was born from the couch while I was healing.
IRL Being plus-size can be isolating. People were building an online community, and I could see the industry was picking up speed. In 2015, with my business partner CeCe Olisa, we held the first CurvyCon to connect with women in real life. Part shopping experience and part conversation, the event allows plus-size women to shop like straight-size women, as well as to meet curvy icons and influencers.
Favorite ATL shopping Jibri in Duluth. Sizes start at a 10/12 and go up to 4X.
Go-to Brands Fashion to Figure, FKSP by Style Pantry
Beach bound Ashley Graham string bikini, GabiFresh swimsuit, Rent the Runway resort collections, vintage LV train case, three pairs of sunglasses: one luxury pair and a couple of everyday oversize pairs
Signature details Puff sleeves and off-the-shoulder styles
Beauty obsession Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask by Glow Recipe
Date night The Ritz at Lake Oconee
This article appears in our May 2020 issue.
