Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Wallace.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a 1st Generation Caribbean- American Content Creator residing in Atlanta, Georgia. I started “The Curve Experience” Back in February 2019. What motivated me to start this page was that Trinidad Carnival was around the corner and that Curvy women are the most underrepresented group within the Carnival world. I intended to simply repost women to be featured on the page. However, after coming back from Trinidad Carnival 2020 the entire world was hit with covid which posed an initial hurdle for my full intentions for the page. This forced me outside of my comfort zone. I never intended to show my face because my platform was never intended to be about me. However, a good friend advised me that people can relate to a movement especially when there is a face attached, simply because people want to see the face of the brand. It took me a while to get accustomed to showing my face, but after revealing the face behind the brand, I noticed considerable growth and engagement from the curvy community and our allies.
I gained more traction when I was featured on an extremely popular Caribbean platform on Instagram called “Follow Soca” this was the first of many times they posted my commentary or my content on their platform and has been one of many contributions to my continued growth. Propelling into 2021 Miami announced that they were hosting Carnival for the first time since quarantine. I just like many other Content Creators and Carnival chasers was elated. I gained more traction when I posted all the curvy options available for each Mas band for Maimi Carnival 2021. This was to relieve the stress for curvy girls wanting to participate by highlighting the sections that had a curvy option within their brand. This also relieved the stress of having to hunt for what was available to them.
After Band launch season (showcase displaying Costumes for carnival year) I had to figure out how to keep my audience engaged. This caused me to start creating reels. Where I created lighthearted videos that were humor-filled, relatable, and informative to my audience. I did this consistently for three months leading up to Miami Carnival. After Miami Carnival, I took a much-needed break to reset myself mentally. While on break, I was approached by Atlanta’s number-one band and a five-time band of the year “Madd Colors.” They presented me with the opportunity to model one of their curvy options that were being offered for Atlanta’s Carnival Season. I was elated for the opportunity and nervous at the same time because to my knowledge it was extremely uncommon to have Curvier models hit the runway. What gave me strength was acknowledging the support I had with my curvy tribe (followers) and encouraging other plus-size women who felt discouraged from playing due to lack of representation.
This opened the gates for more opportunities for me to work with High-end designers such as Tiara Jenkins Head Designer of DTZ Designs, I was invited to participate in Toronto Carnival by Section Leader Kravedxtreme and an opportunity to be a part of the marketing team for Kontact Barbados for Miami Carnival 2022.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Before I amassed the following that I have today, it was a struggle gaining the support of established names in the carnival community. I also struggled with getting designers to understand the importance of being inclusive within their brand and providing creative, more appealing, and well thought out curvy options.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I am a full-time student at Georgia State University studying Business Administration. I also work full-time for an insurance company, and I also work as a Content Creator. I am most proud of the impact that I have had in bringing awareness and highlighting the problems we face in the curvy community when it comes to carnivals and costumes and influencing change to better our experience.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing that is surprising about me is the fact that I am a real-life stallion ahh (Meg the stallion voice). Most people assume that I am average height, but I am really 6’2.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: TheCurveExperience
- Facebook: TheCurveExperience
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5jm9m5Oo2Y
Image Credits
First two images feature The Curve Experience. Designer is @prettymas_ (Instagram) and green costume is designed by @Madd_colors. The last two the images feature @FrontlineFairy in the yellow costume and @BadGalNikkii_ in the purple colored costume.
