Over half of American women are considered plus-sized. Exactly zero major luxury designers have clothing sized past 16. Until now. Marc Jacobs label president Robert Duffy has announced plans to launch a line of clothing for women sized 14 and up. The plus-size line--which won't be available for at least a year--will fall under the Marc Jacobs moniker.

Designers usually say that making clothing for plus-sized women is too difficult; that slender women generally maintain more uniform proportions. Larger women gain weight in a variety of places and ways, making standard patterns nearly impossible to produce. Designers are slowly coming around though, using curvier models who don't necessarily wear a size 2. The shows at the latest New York Fashion Week had more busty models than those in recent memory. Saks Fifth Avenue also announced that they will carry a selection of larger sizes at their flagship store this fall.

With the Marc Jacobs plus-size line still at least a year out, we can only speculate as to what it will bring. I am betting it will resemble the more youthful Marc by Marc Jacobs line: bright colors, fun patterns, and flirty shapes. If the "Above Average" Marc Jacobs line does well, there is a good chance that other top labels--previously worried about the financial viability of a plus-size line--will follow suit. Marc Jacobs is a trendsetter in more than one way, and that is why the label is Character Approved.

[Image: ManikMag.com]