British high street retailer River Island is set to launch a new range next
spring, named: RI Plus. Unlike its current collection however, this new
range is specifically designed to cater to plus-size consumers. “We’re
excited about giving great fashion to more women, we feel this is the right
time for the brand to expand our size range offering,” said River Island
marketing director Josie Roscop to Vogue UK. “Ultimately, it’s about
fashion and being inclusive.”
The new collection, which is slated to hit stores next March, is said to be
based on 75 of River Island’s most popular items from it’s regular
collection. Consisting of both fashion core pieces as well as work wear
items and party weak, the collection will be available in selected stores
as well as online. Retail prices for the collection are said to range
between 6 pounds and 80 pounds.
To help spread the word on their new collection, River Island has tapped
leading plus-size model Candice Huffine as the face of its début plus-size
range. “The fact that River Island is extending their sizing while staying
true to their brand is perfection,” added Huffine. “It’s clear that they
have thought about a curvy woman’s body and designed accordingly, while
giving her exactly what can be found on the high street at any other size.
A plus-size collection doesn’t need to be made totally different, it just
needs to be made to fit.”