Plus size women are getting so much attention lately. From breakthroughs in fashion and modeling, we are the topic of many discussions lately. A recent article in USA Today chronicles who is doing what in the plus size movement.
Who’s doing what:
- Plus-size designer Gayla Bentley persuaded clothing manufacturer Daymond John and real estate magnate Barbara Corcoran to invest $250,000 for 50% of her company on ABC’s Shark Tank in October. Her size 2 to 28 label will be in Von Maur department stores starting this spring, and she expects to announce another deal with a major department store any day. Bentley, whose clothes are already sold at many boutiques, NeimanMarcus.com and GaylaBentley.com, says she also has a deal in the works with a home shopping channel.
- Torrid, owned by Hot Topic, had double-digit growth in its online sales in the fiscal year that ends Jan. 30. The site sells sizes larger than the size 12 to 26 options in stores. Torrid President Chris Daniel says the brand caters to young, “curvy fashionistas” and has the “if you’ve got it, flaunt it mentality.”
- Abby Zeichner, owner of the size 2 to 24 fashion line Abby Z., is now selling her fashions on the online and TV shopping channel HSN and hosts her third shopping special on Feb. 9. Zeichner, who wears a size 16, laments that larger women seeking high-end designers are “lucky if there’s a size 12,” the others are “skinny-only.”
Valery Amador, Daily Venus Diva -- Daily Venus Diva.
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