Fashion
Have You Heard? Here’s The Latest Plus Size Fashion Industry News Round-up
As plus size fashion becomes more in demand, retailers continue to expand to accommodate that demand. With the average size of the American woman being a size 14, more women being vocal about what they want in fashion and more dollars being spent by these customers, plus size clothing retailers are making moves to take advantage of this under-served market that is profitable.
Marka, a retail start-up based in Dubai, has just signed an agreement to bring City Chic to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) area. The fashion-forward Australian brand will be available to plus size fashionistas in locations across the UAE and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, courtesy of Marka‘s dedicated fashion division, Marka Fashion. The GCC region includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Sultanate of Oman.
This is exciting news for plus size women in those areas who have limited access to fashion in their size, especially being able to shop in-store. Marka will launch three City Chic stores in the UAE before the end of 2015, with the first opening in Dubai at Festival City Mall. Kudos to City Chic, who continues to expand all over the world with stores already in place in Australia, New Zealand, South America and in the US. [Yahoo News]
If you live in Bradenton, Florida and gripe at the fact that there are not enough plus size clothing stores locally, one retailer has heard your call and has opened a store in the area. Catherines, who offers up to sizes 6X and 34, has opened their first store in Bradenton on Friday, September 4th, just in time for customers to take advantage of Labor Day sales. The new store is located at 7369 52nd Place E., in the shopping center off of State Road 70, near Interstate 75. [Bradenton Herald]
European discount clothing retailer Primark is making its way across the pond and opening its first store in Boston, MA this week. The fashion chain, with almost 300 stores across Britain and Europe, is hoping to be successful in the US, taking over the space that once housed Filene’s Basement in the iconic Burnham building.
According to The Guardian, the store will be stocked with “clothing from its European suppliers, who will deliver to a new warehouse in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The stores will be replenished with new stock every day and largely sell a collection of Primark’s existing designs which the retailer believes will most appeal to American shoppers, although small number of products have been specifically designed for the US.”
The grand opening will take place on Thursday, September 10th with the 70,000 sq ft store being the first of 7 planned to launch across the US. [Boston Irish Reporter]
Versa Capital Management, who owns Avenue, is now seeking a new owner for the plus size retailer. The buyout firm bought Avenue out of bankruptcy three years ago and turned around business for the once-struggling retailer.
This move to sell them is being speculated as a move from Versa to capitalize on the plus size market, which continues to grow. We sure hope so. While Avenue has not been offering much of a trendy-fashion offering in comparison to its competitors, it is one of the few plus size retailers that offers above a size 24 so we really don’t want to see them go. [Bloomberg]
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Feature
SwimStar All Stars Partnership With Renowned Plus-size Model and Swimsuits For All Ambassador, Denise Bidot
Inclusive Swimwear Brand Collaborates with Prominent Plus-Size Model Denise Bidot to Empower Aspiring Models…
Swimsuits For All, a pioneer in inclusive swimwear, proudly introduces its inaugural SwimStar All Stars campaign in partnership with renowned plus-size model and Swimsuits For All ambassador, Denise Bidot. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, nearly a decade following Denise’s groundbreaking “Beach Body, Not Sorry” campaign with Swimsuits For All in 2015, which showcased unretouched imagery aimed at promoting unapologetic confidence.
Denise Bidot and Swimsuits For All have jointly unveiled the SwimStar All Stars nationwide search, dedicated to discovering emerging talent in the realm of swimsuit modeling. Encouraging aspiring models to share their personal narratives, the initiative aims to inspire women of all backgrounds, shapes, and sizes. Following a rigorous selection process, Brittany Wilborn, Camryn Henry, and Sharon Clawson emerged as the chosen winners. In January 2024, these models embarked on a transformative journey to Harbour Island, where they had the unparalleled opportunity to shoot alongside Denise under the expert direction of internationally acclaimed photographer and director, Ben Watts.
Reflecting on the initiative, Denise Bidot remarked, “This was a truly exceptional opportunity to celebrate the diversity of plus-size models and cultivate an atmosphere of support, empowerment, and knowledge sharing. The camaraderie on set was palpable, and I am deeply honored to impart the wisdom and insights I’ve garnered throughout my career. Opportunities like these are scarce for plus-size models in the industry, and it has been a privilege to collaborate with the exceptional team at Swimsuits for All to bring this campaign to fruition.”
The models showcased the latest swimwear offerings from the Swimsuits for All 2024 collection, featuring innovative designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of women, including:
Feel-good Fits: Addressing common concerns such as tummy bulges and fit issues, Swimsuits for All offers a range of fits designed to instill confidence and comfort in every body. Incorporating features like Power Mesh for a smooth, flattering silhouette, and adjustable straps for customizable support, the collection caters to various body types.
Bold Prints & Colors for Summer: The summer swimwear collection boasts vibrant colors and captivating prints, injecting excitement and personality into beach and poolside attire. From vivid neon hues to tropical motifs, the collection encourages self-expression and style experimentation.
Liquid Shine: Introducing Liquid Shine, a striking swim fabrication characterized by a glossy, liquid-like finish, adding an edgy allure to beachwear. Available in multiple silhouettes, including bikinis, Liquid Shine ensures you stand out with confidence.
Bikinis that Suit You Best: The Mix & Match Bikini collection offers a personalized approach to swimwear, allowing individuals to mix and match colors and silhouettes for a bespoke look tailored to their preferences.
Beyond showcasing inclusive swimwear designs, the SwimStar All Stars campaign embodies a celebration of women uplifting one another in an industry often marked by competitiveness. Throughout the week-long shoot, models engaged in one-on-one sessions with Denise, fostering meaningful dialogue about the evolving representation of plus-size bodies in swim and fashion.
Jordan Hauser, Senior Director of E-Commerce & Marketing, expressed, “This campaign transcends conventional notions of body positivity and representation in the swim and fashion industries. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and authenticity in reflecting the diverse experiences of our customer base. We are committed to fostering a movement where women find strength in unity, and we are thrilled to embark on this journey alongside Denise Bidot, one of the industry’s foremost advocates for inclusivity.”
The summer 2024 swimwear collection is now available. For further details about Swimsuits For All and the SwimStar All Stars campaign, please visit www.swimsuitsforall.com.
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@plussizewildflower
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Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@pridantas93
@shunitawynne
@nostalgic_nayok
@dlovecurve
@ariwearsthings
@thickfitdee
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@amandaneumanoficial
@aaliyahrenaa
@iheartcandyboo
@organiccurves_
@annemanyi
@johanamaya81
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