To whet your palette for F/W 2011, Ford Models has shared a teaser of a promotional shoot featuring only models of color and all body types from the Ford+, Women Direct and Lifestyle boards. Marquita Pring, Tonya Pittman, Sabina Karlsson, Amber Tolliver, and Elora Perez are some of the models showcased in these pictures that are yet to be released. The choice to use exclusively models of color for this promo has been met with some controversy as to whether it is a somewhat separatist move on the part of Ford or merely an attempt to create exposure for this talented pool of women. The concept for the images was inspired by iconic images from the 1970′s. We are just loving the high cut swimsuit on Tonya. Stay tuned for the full release of these photos–we can’t wait to see the final product!

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Credits include: Photography, Michael Schwartz; Art directing, Maia Holmes for Ford+; Models, Marquita Pring, Damaris Lewis, Bre Joyner, Vanessa Fonseca, Tonya Pittman, Jessi M’Bengue, Amber Tolliver, India Lane, Sabina Karlsson, Elora Perez; Styling, Christina Sulpizio; Hair, Lacy Redway at See Management using TRESemmé; Makeup, Carolina Dali-Tesch at See Management for Chanel; Photography assistance, Tim O’Malley; Hair assistance, Sonia Castleberry; Makeup assistance, Kellyann Lundon; Digital tech, Jamie Onderdonk; Studio, Sandbox; Video, Damien Neva; Music, Madlib fromMedicine Show No. 9: Black Soul.

Read more at Ford Models Blog & Fashionista.

What does Tonya Pittman want for the holidays?

‘My hope is that every single person pay it forward.  Whatever you can.   I donate to many different organizations every year.  When I have extraordinary years, my donations match that.  When I didn’t earn so much, I always volunteered my time and skills.  This year I helped organizations like Dress For Success, ALS Association, AIDS, Lend-A-Hand India, Cancer Research, and sponsored another child from Children’s International.  Her name is Riya, she’s from India.  I hope her Christmas is a bit more special this year with my support behind her education and well being. ”

We love bringing you our holiday wishes and favs, but we also wanted to know what you’re wishing for too! MP asked some of our friends to send us in their hopes and wishes this holiday season and we’ll be sharing them with you in a feature we’re calling Holiday Wishes!

After the OSP fashion show, Erica and I hopped into a cab down to the The Standard Hotel’s fabulous rooftop bar The Boom Boom Room. We were so excited to be able to put our feet up and relax with the lovely ladies from the runway show.

Crystal Renn, Toccara Jones and Ashley Graham.

All the gorgie ladies chillin out on the couch and taking a well earned afternoon off.

Crystal Renn popped by after her Gottex show to say hello.

WCurve ladies Lizzie Miller, Toccara Jones and Jennifer Maitland.

Marquita Pring keeping warm with Amanda Maitland and Lizzie Miller

We so enjoyed the perfect ending to an amazing history-making day!

Yesterday, OneStopPlus.com made fashion week and runway history by doing an entire runway show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week using only plus size models and plus fashions. Not only was the show a first ever, it was also very well done.

The models selected were some of the best in the industry with Ashley Graham, Lizzie Miller, Toccara Jones, Marquita Pring, Sabina Karlsson, Danielle Redman, Lauren Raley, Tonya Pittman, Robyn Lawley, Inga Eiriksdottir and many more strutting down the catwalk. The clothing was very well styled as well as beautifully presented. The VP of Design, Zahir Babvani, and Designer Galina Monaco presented a cool color palette that went from light lavendar, to rich purples, to cool blues, to darker denim, then light greens, olives, and then to shades of peach and coral. When all of the models came through for the final walk down the runway the color palettes and transitions between each looked expertly done.

The models makeup gave a luminous effect to their faces with a lightly orange lip and hair that was pulled back with a bump in the front and a long romantic coil in the back. After the show the models could not stop raving about the orange lip and wore their full hair and makeup out for the after party (don’t worry, we have pics from this and will post!).

Thank you OneStopPlus.com for raising the bar and bringing a high level of sophistication to the plus size fashion industry and the world! We greatly enjoyed the show!

What do you think of the OneStopPlus.com show? We will have even more coverage of the show up soon!

The Madison Plus team is psyched! We got our Belle Epoque fashion show invite from OneStopPlus.com and are thrilled to watch models such as Toccara Jones, Lizzie Miller, and Tonya Pittman strutting down the Fashion Week runway! Don’t worry, we will be taking tons of pictures to share with our amazing fans!

What do you think of OneStopPlus.com having their fashion show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week?

We were so excited to meet Tonya at the Ford+ office, she is one of Lane Bryant’s main ladies and has amazing sense of style. Tonya swears by tailoring, which she does to almost all items she buys. She told us about all the adjustments she made to the All Saints dress she is wearing, which included adjusting the placket, and hemming the length of the dress. We encourage you to take some of your favorite clothes to the tailors for a nip and tuck too!

Shop Tonya’s Look:

Torrid – Plus Size Plaid Pin Up Dress

Piperlime – Wanted Prauge Boot

Amazon – Hue Cable Knee Socks

(L-R: Aimee, Erica, Inga, Abby, Sabina, Gary, Roland, Jaclyn)

Last week we had a fun night out on the town, partying with Ford Models at 1 Oak bar in Chelsea. Its always fun getting dressed up, and putting on your favorite heels. We danced up the night with the Ford+ board and we couldn’t help but take some shapshots of the night so we could share with you.

(L-R Sabina, Tonya)

(L-R: Aimee, Candice, Danielle, Erica)

(L to R: Jessica and Leah)

(L to R: Kari, Erica, Abby, Aimee)

(L to R: Sabina and Alyona)

(L to R: Kari, Maiysha, Erica, Aimee)

(L to R: Kari, Aimee, Erica)