Tess Munster – CLASSICALLY CURVY

2014: Reflecting on a Fabulous Year!

December 31, 2014December 26, 2017 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

It’s hard to believe 2014 is finally coming to a close. This year has been so full of joy and success, good times and great friends. I have a new job which I love so much and is the start of a wonderful career. I have the most amazing group of friends a girl could ever ask for, not to mention the cutest kitten on the planet. And I’ve been able to express my creativity through so many amazing fashion photo shoots and design projects. I performed in an international burlesque festival, got a giant mermaid tattoo, met two of my idols (Yaya Han and Tess Munster) and I even started this blog. I can’t believe what a lucky girl I am and I feel so incredibly thankful to have had all these experiences.

So here we go. This is my year in photos; memories from most of the big events, photo shoots, friends, lots and lots of friends and the most fabulous fashions. Thank you for following my blog and I wish the happiest New Year to you all!

Meryle Trouble and Dolly Monroe as Jamie and Cersei Lannister. Photo by If You Fall Photography.

1975051_10151883757486991_1506822691_n — Meryle Trouble, Betty Quirk, Sevvy Skellington and Dolly Monroe preparing for our burlesque photo shoot with Hailey Freisen.

IMG_20140301_124410 — Me and Irene of “Petite Plus, Meow!” being models at the Dragon’s Den audition for Your Big Sister’s Closet.

wpid-img_20140313_013901 — Betty Quirk, Laura Desiree and Dolly Monroe shimmying at “Dances the Cramps Taught Us”.

1975071_10152338812937244_1795980571_n — Me getting tattooed by Suspira.

wpid-img_20140604_231355 — My beautiful mermaid tattoo from Suspiria.

10007474_10202962713743269_1791374687395929798_n — Sam and I celebrating our birthdays together at the Science Centre.

My most famous photo of the year (and of all time) from If You Fall Photography.

10253813_576479639125870_6438106108324915096_n — Posing with my lovely friends Betty Quirk, Sevvy Skellington, Zilly Lilly, and Leelando Calrissian at the Nerdlesque Festival in New York City!

picture6_small — My favourite photo from my collaborations with the outstanding photographer Dana Brushette.

988858_10203009291387681_8225703515046133300_n — Meeting my model inspiration Tess Munster!

2014-05-18 05.01.06 — I took the Iron Throne with help from Betty, Brittany and Sam!

Bettie11 — My naughty Betty Page tribute photo shoot with If You Fall Photography.

10301426_620761684706914_5533500357215915978_n — Hanging out with designer Allie of Amplify Apparel and my awesome friends Leeland and Bri!

dolly15 — My first photo collaboration with Geoff Larkin.

MermaidFriends — Mermaid Pride at the Pride Parade with Meryle and Brittany.

10500453_10203599263416613_4493190156481245949_n — Leeland and I being cute at Atomic Lollipop.

10478172_10203618718622981_5491774494669299928_n — That one time my face was all over the TTC for the Taste of the Danforth Festival.

dolly1 — More fun photos with Geoff Larkin.

10634015_10152219548657541_497378068910682155_o — Silly friends Leeland and Sevvy at Fan Expo.

Fan Ex7 — Meeting the cosplay Queen Yaya Han!

GARTERSPOSTER_WEB — My first official Burlesque poster for the Garters of the Galaxy show.

The Gorgeous Dolly Monroe shows her flair with a Gloomth Clothing dress!! — Modelling for Gloomth Clothing with photographer Tyrone Islington.

1526976_10204415792269324_6529855977391898458_n-1 — Working hard at my cosmetics day job/taking selfies at work.

RedRidingHood7 — Bringing my favourite Fairy Tale to life in this Red Riding Hood photo shoot with Geoff Larkin.

10646739_10204125356928622_8483623157589753915_n — Filming the Brick Wall Sessions videos with Betty Quirk.

GRichPhoto-4451 — Possibly my favourite photo of myself of all time from Geoff Larkin.

10435903_10204541111842235_3516295820797765297_n — My Bent Beauty Supremes, Betty, Sevvy, Brittany and Trevor!

The Glamorous duo of Dolly Monroe and Laura Palmer of Betty Monroe Designs! — Best friend photo shoot with Betty Quirk, by Tyrone Islington.

10624896_10203819836370799_8072487310677065793_n — I had to end with this photo of some of my most favourite people! Sam, Delicia, Betty, Scarlett, Taylor, Brittany, Sevvy, and Leelando!

A Dash of Spice

May 22, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

I am so excited to share with you the photos from my photo shoot with Dana Brushette, directed by plus size pinup queen Tess Munster!

Outfit: Me
Make-up: Beauties by Bella Rouge
Hair: Ashlie Rousselle
Necklace: Rosita Bonita
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
Crown: Your Big Sister’s Closet

Photo Set from Dana Brushette

May 12, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

I received a few of the photos from my shoot with Dana Brushette and Tess Munster that I wanted to share with you! I’m so happy about how these turned out and I feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to work with these fantastic ladies! I made this outfit for a burlesque act but thought it would be a fun outfit to shoot with Dana in. I love the way she has captured the look and really made this set something special.

Photoshoot with Tess Munster

April 25, 2014September 8, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

I was lucky enough to spend my Easter Sunday with the gorgeous plus size model Tess Munster!

When I found out Tess was coming to Toronto I immediately booked a spot in her photography workshop with legendary pin-up photographer Dana Brushette. Obviously, I had to make a brand new outfit for this photoshoot, which is also part of a costume for a new burlesque act I will be premiering at the Peepshow Clipshow on May 3rd. You can see a small proof from my session below. I’m very excited to get the finished shots back to share with you.

Tess was the absolute sweetest, very encouraging to all the models and such a fun presence to be around. I think everyone who went to the workshop had a blast just being near this radiant woman. I was also thrilled to meet Dana, whose work I have admired for a long time. I hope to have the chance to work with both these amazing women again!

988858_10203009291387681_8225703515046133300_n

Inspiration: Tess Munster

January 28, 2014January 28, 2014 missdollymonroe1 Comment

How can a plus size pinup like myself not be absolutely inspired by the beauty that is Tess Munster? She is smart, strong, confident and of course radiantly gorgeous. I can’t remember how I stumbled upon her blog My Plus Size Life but as soon as I did I fell in love with this inspirational woman and have been following her on social media ever since. As her blog will tell you, Tess is an L.A. based Plus Size Model, Make Up Artist, Blogger, and founder of the #effyourbeautystandards body positive movement. And this fashionista was recently named one of the world’s top plus size models by Refinery 29, Huff Post, & Vogue Italia. Not only is Tess endlessly stylish, showing off an array of looks in her makeup and fashion, she also preaches self-love, self-respect and self-confidence. A girl after my own heart!