Carmen Marc Valvo, a Parsons graduate who trained at Nina Ricci and Christian Dior, launched his eponymous label in 1989 and built it into a benchmark for glamorous American eveningwear. Known for intricate beadwork, luxurious fabrics, and flattering, form-conscious silhouettes, his gowns and cocktail dresses are staples at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus and…
Chouette Designs was founded by fashion designer Ashley McGinty after years working in the jewelry industry and recognizing how frequently larger-bodied customers were excluded from traditional jewelry sizing. The brand was launched to create beautiful, demi-fine jewelry that truly accommodates a wider range of bodies and identities. Based in San Diego, California, Chouette Designs specializes…
Christian Siriano launched his namesake collection in 2008 after winning Project Runway, and has since become one of fashion’s most visible champions of size inclusivity. Known for fantasy gowns, cocktail dresses, and tailored separates, he has dressed celebrities of every size and pushed retailers to carry his full range, which reaches into the 20s. The…
Christopher John Rogers founded his CJR label in 2016, quickly earning a CFDA top prize, a Forbes 30 Under 30 spot, and a celebrity following from Michelle Obama to Lizzo for his emotionally charged, high-glamour color and silhouette. While the luxury mainline carries limited extended sizing, Rogers has made size inclusivity central to his mass…
Denise Fócil founded AS by DF in 2009 with a single goal: to craft the perfect leather jacket, sustainably. The brand has grown into an elevated contemporary collection of leather essentials, dresses, tops, and separates known for its edgy-luxury sensibility and masterful leather craftsmanship, much of it using recycled or upcycled leather. AS by DF…
Founded in 1988 by Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Badgley Mischka built its reputation on luxurious, beautifully embellished evening gowns favored by Hollywood stars on the red carpet. The house spans designer dresses, occasion and bridal gowns, footwear, and accessories, all marked by couture-level detailing, dramatic silhouettes, and a classic-meets-contemporary glamour. Its eveningwear is offered…
Brandon Blackwood launched his namesake New York accessories label in 2015 with a four-piece collection, after studying neuroscience at Bard College and interning in fashion. The brand specializes in structured, trend-driven handbags in leather, nylon, and other materials, and rose to national prominence in 2020 with its purpose-driven “End Systemic Racism” tote, which raised funds…
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,…
Adrianna Papell made its name in bridesmaid dresses and special-occasion wear, and is especially recognized for its signature hand-beaded gowns and cocktail dresses. Over recent years the brand has significantly broadened its plus size collection (14W–30W) to include day dresses, floral styles, jumpsuits, and wear-to-work options alongside its formalwear. With pricing generally in the $150–$300…
Alexis Bittar began carving Lucite jewelry in his New York apartment in 1990, building an eponymous accessories label that bridges art and fashion. The brand is best known for its hand-carved, hand-painted Lucite combined with high-shine metals and crystal, producing bold, sculptural statement pieces still crafted on-site in Brooklyn. Bittar earned the CFDA’s Accessory Designer…
Stacey Bendet founded Alice + Olivia in 2002 out of a quest to design the perfect pair of pants, and quickly grew it into a full contemporary lifestyle brand spanning ready-to-wear, gowns, footwear, handbags, and accessories. The NYC-based label is known for its playful, whimsical aesthetic — vivid prints, embellishment, and flirty-yet-sophisticated silhouettes — and…
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…