Nuovo to take a well-rounded approach to fashion
A year before the event passed a controversial ban on waif-like silhouettes; Miro was staging its own landmark event by being the first and only plus-size brand to take to the catwalks of Milan Fashion Week.
Now, having conquered the European and American markets with its cheeky, well-rounded approach to fashion, the Italian-based brand is looking to launch into the Australian and New Zealand retail sphere.
Distributed by Sydney-based company, Nuovo Fashion ? which currently holds the licence for five other international labels that finish at a size 16 ? Elena Miro will stage its first industry showing in March.
Nuovo spokesperson Jane McWilliam said that company is aiming to secure 50 boutiques nationally for the brand's Autumn Winter 08 collection.
Manufactured in Italy, China, Turkey and Morocco, the collection includes a wide variety of fabrications such as knits, blended wool and angora yarns, light boiled wool, denim, corduroy and two way stretch micro-fibre.
Averaging at around $280 a piece, the range is broken into three stories ? college, grunge and country ? with pants, coats, blouses, skirts, jumpers and accessories offered in an assortment of bright and neutral colours from a size 12 to 26.
Director of Nuovo Fashion Harvey Boots said he was confident the brand would perform well in the local market following a survey which found the average woman was now a size 16.
"We are excited to be investing time and money into a segment of the market that has been practically abandoned by industries and stylists. Our enthusiasm is further buoyed by the findings of [the] recent survey."
The brand is currently stocked at approximately 500 corners - including Barneys New York - 200 own-branded stores and over 2000 boutiques across 15 countries. It will make its first foray into Australian retailers throughout Feburary next year.