The Road to the Pageant may be ended but the journey's just begun...

Saturday 8th August saw the final in the 'Miss British Beauty Curve 2015' pageant, at the Epsom Playhouse - and what a fantastic time we had.

Myself and 'Katherine's Closet owner (and bestie!) Emma Adams
outside the Epsom Playhouse

Starting out at 11am with the rehearsals for our opening number, we all bonded really well and with an amazing soundtrack we were all dancing and singing along together in no time - I haven't laughed so much in ages! The time went so quickly and before we knew it, interviews had been completed and we were in the changing rooms prepping for the start of the show! Then the magic started - 28 women ready to show the audience what they could do!

Isn't this supposed to be a beauty pageant?!
(clockwise from top) Stephanie, Tracey, Aisha, me, Kat, Kim and Heila

We opened to Ariana Grande's 'Problem' and I felt truly amazing in my Lady Voluptuous 'Ursula' dress and Ruby Shoo 'Piper' navy polka dot shoes. The whole theme of the opening number was the Union Jack, so we all worked our Red, White and Blue dresses with Union Jacks in hand - and we rocked it (even if some of us slightly miss-footed and nearly fell over at the end!)

Opening number - the Red, White and Blue of the Union Jack

Feeling fab in Lady Voluptuous and Ruby Shoo

After introductions, it was on to the fashion wear round and I really enjoyed this. It was a chance for us all to show the audience a little bit of ourselves and our own individual style. I chose the Gemma Collins 'Copenhagen' dress. You might have remembered that a wiggle dress was an alien concept for me not so long ago, but with a new found appreciation for a dress of a closer fit - I felt fantastic! 

Working the wiggle in
a Gemma Collins 'Copenhagen'

Then on to swimwear! Now, you can imagine that, having had a lifelong fear of a wiggle dress, the thought of wearing a swimsuit on stage once filled me with dread. BUT not anymore! We had another amazing song in Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj's 'Bang Bang' and I, like every other lady on that stage, worked my look. There was a great mix of one and two piece swimwear, cover ups and kaftans and I adored wearing my Magisculpt 'Marilyn' swimsuit and Grazia kimono (both from Simply Be).

Myself and Ms East Coast, Tracey Haynes

As I said, it all went so quickly and before we knew it we were in our Evening Wear for the final round - and what a round. So many beautiful dresses, worn by so many beautiful, caring and talented ladies. My dress was a Grecian style chiffon dress in coral from Trixxi at Macy's teamed with 'Crisp Kendra' shoes in coral suede by Clarks.

The Finale - Trixxi at Macy's and
Crisp Kendra by Clarks

After a brief interval with entertainment from 'Kaiya' and 'Dance Flavourz', it was on to the final part of the pageant - the awards ceremony. We were joined on stage by 2014 winners Emily Blake and Yvonne Cardoso, 2013 winner Amarise and 2012 winner Rio Watchorn. And the winner for the Ms category was....


The Ms Category awards

The gorgeous Katherine Henry, Ms Surrey Curve. I am so pleased to know this beautiful lady and it was a very well deserved victory.

Ms Katherine Henry - Ms Surrey Curve 2015
and now Ms British Beauty Curve 2015

Equally deservedly won were the titles of 2nd runner up, won by Ms East Curve Tracey Haynes and 1st runner up, won by Ms Hertfordshire, Kim Ireland. Best in interview was the lovely, Ms North Wales Stephanie Jaziri and Top Model was won by Aisha Namurach.

Ms East Coast and 2nd Runner up
Tracey Haynes

Ms Hertfordshire and 1st Runner up
Kim Ireland

Ms North Wales and Best in Interview
Stephanie Jaziri

Ms Cardiff and Top Model
Aisha Namurach

Yours truly didn't fair so bad either - I was honoured to be awarded the Best Application award and - much to my utter delight - Ms Congeniality! I am the Gracie-Lou Freebush of Miss British Beauty Curve 2015! The award is amazing and all the more special as it is awarded based on voting by fellow contestants. I am truly blessed to have met such amazing ladies who value me for who I am.

Receiving my Ms Congeniality sash and certificate from
Amarise and Yvonne Cardoso

My Titles

I would like to thank Leah Precod for allowing me to be a part of this amazing pageant and to the whole Miss British Beauty Curve team for their time, patience and support. It has been a privilege. Many congratulations to the winners, both in my category and in the Miss category. Very many thanks to my Mum and Dad, Sally and Clive and to my friend Emma for coming to support me, and also to all the family and friends that supported me here at home in Gloucestershire. I couldn't have done it without you.

Finally I should like to say - Ladies and Gentleman - my road to 'Miss British Beauty Curve 2015' is now at an end but this is simply the beginning of a much bigger journey....

Useful links:
www.facebook.com/KatherinesClosetVintage
https://ladyvlondon.com/LadyVoluptuous/
www.rubyshoo.com/
http://gemmacollinsofficial.com/
www.simplybe.co.uk

To wiggle - or not to wiggle - that is the question!

Bellatrix with suede mid heels
from Office and Hair flower by
Rockaflower

As many of you will know, I love my vintage and retro style clothing. I'm a particular fan of the 1950s - Full skirts, Dior's 'New Look' and generally really feminine shapes and styles. There is, however a style from that era that has never graced my wardrobe - a wiggle dress. That is until now!
I am now the proud owner of a rose print 'Bellatrix' dress from the Lady Vintage London - Lady Voluptuous range (http://ladyvlondon.com/LadyVoluptuous/). Now I have long favoured the Lady Vintage 'Hepburn' dresses - owning almost their entire collection - but the wiggle is a whole new ballgame for me. I've always been frightened of showing so  
much of my shape. But I've bitten the bullet and I'm really pleased with the results.
The 'Lady Voluptuous' range has been created in collaboration with the wonderful Georgina Horne (Fuller Figure Fuller Bust) and is the UK's first dedicated Plus Size Vintage Clothing label. The 'Bellatrix' dress (as you can see from my photo) features a V neck, 3/4 length sleeves, with a peplum hem. And best of all - drum roll, please - my size 22/24 dress is 46.5" in length! Yay!

Keep yours eye open this coming weekend for more vintage fun at the opening of the new 'Katherine's Closet' boutique in Cheltenham! Gracie and I can't wait!