We love the idea, and think it’s about time we saw a plus size collection from the designer, although we wonder how Marc feels about his partner letting the news slip on twitter. While the explosion of plus-sized models in magazine spreads left more than a few people cynical about if it was tokenism or signs of a real change in fashion, it does seem to mark a shift. Saks Fifth Avenue’s New York flagship quietly announced plans to include sizes up to 20 with fall collections from Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana among others. While it would  nice to see larger sizes included on styles from the main range, something is better than nothing when it comes to more options for 12+ women who are interested in fashion, but don’t find the same variety of options at retail.  Some styles in the traditional 0-10 designer size range may not be flattering if they’re just sized up, so we’ll take the optimistic view that the split from the main line is for the purpose of creating clothes designed specifically to flatter larger sizes. As long as the end result is a sister line that has enough sartorial similarities to the Marc Jacobs aesthetic fans of all sizes have come to admire, we can’t wait to see the result.

In addition to the plus-size line, Robert also tweeted about a debut Marc Jacob’s Men’s show in Milan saying,  “Yea. I guess I broke the news on twitter that we were going to have our first Marc Jacobs Men’s Collection show to be held in Milan.”  The good news keeps on coming, but Duffy admits, “I’m over sharing, but  still unable to resist.”

As mainstream designers embrace plus size fashion, journalists debate its existence, and plus size models grace some of fashionâ€s most prominent magazines, there were and have always been the few, the proud, the plus: the plus size designers who have long delivered fashion for the curvy gal before the rest.

One of those few is designer Yuliya Raquel, the designer behind Igigi. Pronounced “ee-zhee-zhee,” tha label has been at the forefront of plus size fashion with its contemporary fashions, timeless appeal, and uncanny attention to detail for the last ten years.

“Many customers write to say my clothes make them feel virtually invincible, like a goddess.  Thatâ€s what makes it all worthwhile to me.” – Yuliya Raquel

Raquel was a pre-med student before recognizing her personal and professional calling in plus size fashion. Amazed at the lack of fashionable choices for the plus sized woman, she recalls a beautiful woman coming in, trying on the dresses, falling to tears, realizing that even a size 12 can be just as beautiful as the size 2s that dominate most fashion coverage. Raquel was so moved with this transformation that she fully realized the tribulations and transformations plus size women endure every day.

“There isnâ€t much of a difference in designing for a voluptuous body versus a straight sized body,” says Raquel, who has designed for couture clients in the 2-10 size range.  “Ultimately, every woman wants to accent their best features, deemphasize their areas of concern, and be able to strut confidently in clothes they love.  My job is to do just that.”

While she enjoyed creating these one-of-a-kind dresses as a couturier, Raquel wanted to reach more than a handful of plus size women. That was ten years ago. Since then, IGIGI stands strong as a brand recognizing and celebrating the vivacious, alluring, and sensual curves of the plus size woman.

Beyond offering choices to an under-served demographic, Yuliya Raquel also pulls of two feats which have challenged many designers: most items are priced under $200, and the clothes are designed and produced in San Francisco. With garment districts in many cities disappearing as production moves to China (often for cost saving reasons), it’s triply impressive to find a designer offering collections that are success stories not only because of the market targeted, but for business  reasons as well.

Visit Igigi on Facebook to learn more about the brand.

Fashion + the Plus Size Woman= Plus Size fashion

If you were to read the latest magazines, newspapers, and fashion blogs, it would seem as if plus size and fashion have only recently met. With the latest coverage and inclusion of plus size models in high fashion editorials, eyes have only recently opened to the fact that curves have the potential to be chic, edgy, and fashionable.

As fashion moves forward for the discerning plus size woman, new designers are taking note of her and her vivacious curves. However, there have been quite a few designers, both mainstream and niche who have stayed ahead of the curve, in dressing and designing for this oft overlooked, fashion starved, plus size woman.

One designer consistently delivering contemporary high fashion is UK designer, Anna Scholz. No stranger to the plus size fashion scene, this German born model turned designer launched her eponymous label in 1996. A graduate of Central St. Martin’s, the renowned art and design college that also includes names like Alexander McQueen and Johh Galliano among it’s alumni roster, this label includes none of the drab, shapeless clothes that have too often been the norm in plus size fashion.

Dresses from Anna Scholz's Black Label Range

Luxurious cashmere, sumptuous silks, and boldly printed charmeuse fabrics are only a few of the fabrics chosen to drape her clientâ€s curves in curve embracing shapes – no tents here. But even more eye-catching are the high fashion photo shoots that accompany the collection: highly editorialized, pointed, and edgy. When asked about her choice of fashion spreads to display her collection, Anna Scholz offers this dignified response; “Weâ€re a fashion label. We are no different, I donâ€t know why people take such ugly shots, we are a fashion label- weâ€re in the business of fashion. Big women are not an alien species.”

Looks from Scholz's premium White Label collection

Innovative, barrier breaking, chic, and edgy is this plus size designerâ€s forte when it comes to fashion. Unapologetic, celebratory, and inspirational Anna Scholz dares to be, as over the years she has provided the discerning curvy, confident, and chic woman clothing that keeps her ahead of the curve.