What made you design a line that stretches from 0-24, instead of just focusing on a smaller range of sizes?
"We wanted to give everyone the opportunity to wear stylish and beautiful clothing, regardless of size. Why shouldn't all body types be able to shop together? There is no need for the division. All sizes should have the same clothing choices. That's the barrier we were inspired to break."
Why do you think a collection like JilRo hadn't been previously created?
"A few reasons; historically in fashion, people want to do what's trendy and glamorous more than what's needed. JilRo's mission is to empower women of all sizes and make every women feel beautiful. Sometimes, people are scared to break the barriers within fashion and create something entirely new and foreign. We embraced the challenge and looked at it as we do all things — we don’t follow trends; we make them!"
Being one of the first designers to offer such an inclusive size range, do you feel that you need to cater your designs to two different clienteles?
"No, because we all appreciate clothing and want to feel good in what we wear. We do create in a very unique way: We start the design process by brainstorming on what would look good on a size 14 — our fit model size — and scale backward to a 0. We do need to take into consideration different body types for fitting purposes. A size 2 dress is not going to fit the same way on a size 22, but they can both look amazingly beautiful if the fit is correct."
"Oprah and all women that embrace who they are, what size they are, and their inner beauty."
"She is fashionable, chic, confident, and loves having beautiful fabrics against her skin, all while having fun!"
Photo: Courtesy of JilRo
"We look to all women and body types for inspiration, and also traveling to different countries where all sizes are embraced and accepted as beautiful."
"Adele, Oprah, Octavia Spencer, Melissa McCarthy next to Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence, Reese Witherspoon, etc."
"Our first full collection, spring '13 will be all sizes, 0-24! It launched our capsule collection for fall in sizes 14-24, as a preview."
"We don't find either difficult because we look at the body type and design for curvy and real bodies. Every body type is different, and we fit to flatter!"
"Yes, we already do. We use a size-6 model and size 14. At the photo shoots, it's the size 14 we are all oohing and ahhing over."
"They already can. Neiman Marcus will start carrying all sizes starting in March '13 along with Harvey Nichols Saudi Arabia and on JilRo."
"We love color, vintage, and rare prints in dresses, edgy details, knits, etc."