Founded in 1998 by entrepreneur Scott Kerslake in Petaluma, California, Athleta was created to provide women with technical athletic apparel designed specifically for female athletes. At a time when the activewear industry was largely focused on men’s performance gear, Athleta developed products tailored to women’s bodies across a variety of sports and fitness activities. Following…
Founded in 1983, Avenue was established to meet the growing demand for fashionable clothing designed specifically for plus-size women. Unlike many traditional retailers that simply expanded straight-size collections, Avenue built its business around designing apparel for curvier bodies from the ground up, making it one of the earliest national chains dedicated exclusively to plus-size fashion….
Azazie launched as a direct-to-consumer bridal disruptor, bringing wedding and bridesmaid dresses online at a fraction of traditional boutique prices. Every garment is offered across its full 0–30 size range at no extra charge, and each dress is made to order — including custom sizing and length — which trims waste and improves fit. With…
Founded in 1988, Badgley Mischka emerged after designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka met while studying at Parsons School of Design in New York. Combining Badgley’s experience at Donna Karan with Mischka’s menswear background, the pair built a luxury label known for refined glamour, impeccable tailoring, and couture-inspired craftsmanship. The brand quickly became a favorite…
Founded in 2015 by Brandon Blackwood, the namesake label began as a handbag brand after Blackwood transitioned from studying neuroscience to pursuing fashion. Early success came through editorial placements in Essence and Elle, but the company experienced explosive growth in 2020 with the release of its End Systemic Racism (ESR) tote, which became a viral…
Established in 2016 by Brandon Coates — a plus size fashion veteran who previously worked in plus size womenswear — Brandon Kyle was created to fill the void of up-market, fashion-forward clothing for Big & Tall men. The collection offers exceptionally engineered garments that fit true to size on a robust frame, with a contemporary,…
Alpine Butterfly is a plus size swimwear brand founded to deliver bold prints and high support swim designs celebrating confident curves.
Launched in 2000 by founder and CEO Susan Barone, Always For Me has become one of the most established online destinations for plus size swimwear, with a catalog spanning swimsuits, cover-ups, activewear, and full-figure lingerie in sizes 14–26. The retailer carries its own exclusive Chic, Sport, and Control labels alongside well-known swim brands, and has…
Amour781 was started by two cousins with backgrounds in luxury retail who, frustrated by the lack of high-quality plus size options, set out to build a curated destination for the luxury plus shopper. The brand offers a size-inclusive edit (0–4X) of contemporary and elevated-bohemian pieces — sourced from designers around the world and including exclusive…
Detroit-born and Parsons-trained, Anna Sui launched her eponymous label in 1981 and built a signature aesthetic blending Victorian romance, bohemian craft, and glam-rock influence into eclectic, print-heavy collections. The luxury mainline is not broadly size-inclusive — official sizing runs to about a 12 — but Sui has repeatedly extended her designs to plus shoppers through…
Arula launched as the plus and mid-size sister brand to Altar’d State, designing pieces specifically for curvy proportions (sizes 10–24) rather than resizing straight-size garments. Rebranded from A Beautiful Soul in 2021, it built a loyal following for its boho-chic dresses, coordinating sets, novelty accessories, and wide-fit cowgirl boots, offering a polished in-store experience across…
Ashley Stewart has served plus size women since 1991 with a mission rooted in celebrating curves through fashion. The brand is especially recognized for its vibrant color palette statement prints and figure-forward dressing. Its customer base is deeply loyal and the brand has built a reputation for pieces that feel genuinely designed with curvier bodies…