By Ameera Steward | The Birmingham Times
Runway walks, beauty panels, and style lessons — all draped in the idea that fashion is for every body. The Magic City can look forward to all this and much more during this year’s Birmingham Full Figured Fashion Week (BFFFW), set for the week of June 14.
“This week-long event celebrates diversity and inclusivity, showcasing the beauty and talent of full-figured individuals,” said La’Toya Nicole Fletcher, founder of BFFFW.
From Sunday, June 14 to Saturday, June 20, Birmingham fashion lovers will have the chance to view garments by designers such as Tanya Nawlinschild Augustine, Kyoka Akers, Mojave Mufasa, Sharon Clayton Wright, Pamela Saltmarch, Derrick Anderson, Vontareica Danae, Lisa Blue and more.
Modeling, Makeup and More
Fletcher, 49, was raised in Muscoda — a community located in Bessemer — where she developed a love for shopping by watching her mom work in retail. In addition, she and her mom, Autrey Lee Williams Fletcher, regularly watched the prime-time soap opera Dynasty.
“We really loved the fashion of Dynasty…the wigs…the makeup…the clothes,” Fletcher said. “We loved anything that Dominique Deveraux [the character played by Diahann Carroll] and Alexis Carrington Colby [the character played by Joan Collins] wore.”
She added, “Diahann Carroll was our fashion icon…just seeing a beautiful, stunning Black woman on a prime-time network with the number one show…at that time…carry her own and…steal the scenes…was just flawless.
Fletcher also enjoyed playing in makeup, so much so that she became a professional makeup artist in 1999.
“I started modeling professionally…and my makeup artist at the time was…the manager at the Fashion Fair counter in the Galleria [Mall] and I couldn’t always get [in touch with] her and vice versa, so I asked her to teach me the basics,” Fletcher said. Eventually, a photographer friend or hers began to call on Fletcher to serve as the makeup artist for his jobs.
Despite her busy career as both a model and a makeup artist, Fletcher graduated with a degree in biology from Miles College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2004.
“It’s a Ministry”
Although Fletcher has taken different directions within her career path, it was modeling that led her to where and who she is today.
In 2017, in the midst of her modeling career, she began to notice how plus-sized models were treated in the fashion industry.
“Sometimes I would…be the biggest model in the room or…the only,” she said. “I participated in fashion weeks that were catered toward curvy or plus-sized models, and I saw the treatment – it was different…Behind the scenes, I would have some harsh things said to me,” as if her size were a problem when being dressed or measured.
Her experiences led her to long for a fashion week where people could enjoy fashion while feeling included and safe.
“I was like, Birmingham really needs this,” Fletcher said. “So I had been writing down the vision, making it plain,” and through seven years of preparation, she was able to host her first Birmingham Full Figured Fashion Week in 2024.
“Everybody doesn’t look alike…we need to educate people on that…One thing about Birmingham Full Figured Fashion Week…we want to spread positivity and self-love,” Fletcher expressed.
In addition to providing a space full of positivity and self-love, Fletcher also provides scholarships to high school and college students through BFFFW. This year, she and her team will be awarding four scholarships.
The 2026 BFFFW scholarship recipients are: Madisyn Briann McIntosh of Minor High School, Aylivia Peyton Robinson of Minor High School, Trinity Lewis of Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School, and Sa’Maaya Lawrence of Alabama State University.
They also take donations to provide the scholarship recipients with dorm room essentials. “We want to bless them and surprise them with that this year,” she said.
“It’s a ministry,” Fletcher continued. “It’s more than just a fashion week. We have outreach…where we go out and teach people about having a growth mindset, and…we educate people on body positivity…anti-bullying, love, and paying that forward.”
To learn more, visit birminghamfullfiguredfashionweek.com.
Schedule of Events:
Sunday | June 12 | 4 pm to 8 pm
Kickoff Celebration, located at Miles College Pearson Hall Auditorium
The kickoff celebration and conference will feature conversations on body positivity, growth, mental and physical health, education, and ways to support the community. There will also be small fashion shows and light entertainment, as well as an award presentation for survivors of gun violence.
Monday | June 14 | 12:45 pm
BFFFW on WBRC Fox 6 News
Tuesday | June 16 | 4 pm to 7 pm
‘Plus Size Gives Back,’ located at Ashley Stewart, 1632 Montclair Rd. #100
In partnership with Ashley Stewart, BFFFW will host a fashion show as well as a moment for Ashley Stewart customers to be styled in their Summer 2026 line.
Wednesday | June 17 | 12 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm
BFFFW on CBS 42 News
‘Pose: A Night of Networking & Getting the Facts About the Entertainment Industry’ located at Image Hive, 212 41st Street South
Presented by BFFFW and Red Models & Talent Agency, this event will feature a testimonial by one of Red Models & Talent’s signed actors/actresses, a beauty panel, and a lesson on style from a professional stylist.
Thursday | June 18 | 8 pm to 10 pm
‘Street Fashion: How Urban Influences Are Shaping High Fashion,’ located at Faces Lounge, 7070 Aaron Aronov Drive
A fashion show focused on the latest trends in street fashion, from casual wear to club wear.
Saturday | June 20 | 4 pm to 8 pm (red carpet at 3:15 pm)
The Third Annual BFFFW – “The Homecoming Edition” Fashion Show, located at the Southern Museum of Flight, 4343 73rd Street N
A showcase of the latest fashion and trends from notable fashion designers, online boutiques, and national clothing store chains. There will also be a concert featuring talented local artists and the presentation of a $250 academic scholarship award.
