Forever 21 to launch a plus-size line this May
With all the over-filled racks and massive square footage of Forever 21 stores, you would think they would offer something for everyone at their notoriously mind-boggling low prices. But even with all that merchandise, the fast-fashion chain has never addressed plus-size customers, until now.
On May 1, they will launch Faith 21 a line of clothing similar to Forever 21, but in plus sizes.
Faith 21 will offer tops, jeans, tanks, leggings and skirts in a junior plus size as well as XL, 1X and 2X. The design aesthetic follows Forever 21’s trendy take on everything from runway knockoffs to jersey basics.
As reported in yesterday’s Image section, the average American woman is a size 14, with many who rarely find cute and inspiring clothes, especially when the majority of designers don't often produce beyond a size 10.
Hopefully the Faith 21 line will deliver on style and fit. If anything, we know it’s affordable. Prices range from $3.50 to $34.80.
Faith 21 will be available in L.A. on May 1 at Lakewood Center Mall, Montebello Town Center, Los Cerritos Mall, Anaheim Plaza and online at www.forever21.com.
-- Melissa Magsaysay
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Photos: Looks from Faith 21/ Model Melissa Masi and photo from Wilhelmina Models
I just saw the late breaking news on twitter.
way to go LA Times and Melissa!
Posted by: linda | March 02, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Great to hear. However, I wish the images featured a younger, fuller-figured model -- you know, someone actually close to 21, the name of the store.
Posted by: Karen | March 02, 2009 at 10:17 PM
What a great segment for them. That store is crazy as is...it's going to seriously get out of control.
Posted by: Nicolita Swimwear | March 03, 2009 at 01:39 PM
This is wonderful!! I am 40+ years old and I've always wished some of the styles were cut more for women with curves. Also, as an African American my teenaged daughter has had issues with some of the styles being cut to narrow since African American teens are sometimes a little fuller than their Caucasian and Asian counterparts.
Posted by: Aralion | March 03, 2009 at 04:02 PM
Would love to see some beautiful caftans for us larger women.
Posted by: J.D Coates | March 05, 2009 at 06:22 AM
Yay ! Im so glad. Being a size 14 hopefully i will now be able to wear stylish clothes instead of the WAY overpriced too expensive Torrid. Good going Forever 21 !
Posted by: Mist | March 11, 2009 at 12:19 PM
This is wonderful!! Yay ! Im so glad. For More Plus Size Women’s Dresses, Visit: http://www.plussizexl.com
Posted by: rogers | March 11, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Will it also be offered anywhere else. Cause I think it would be excellent if offered this line all over the US
Posted by: jennifer | March 15, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Cant wait! I love forever 21 but since Ive put on some weight I cant squeeze into anything! Hope they come to Buffalo!
Posted by: Suez | March 24, 2009 at 07:20 AM
I seriously just burst into tears. Being fifteen and a size fourteen, shopping with my friends is still fun [though slightly treacherous]. Knowing Forever 21, the coolest, cheapest, cutest store ever will have my size- makes me want to cry for hours on end and give Forever 21 my heart on a silver platter. I will be there, opening day. YAY!
Posted by: Liv | March 29, 2009 at 08:52 AM
im so excited it is about time a fresh fashionable store is feelin the bigger girls with some stylista clothing! all i can say is AMEN!
Posted by: lina | March 29, 2009 at 10:36 PM
This is great and all, but WHY can't the plus sized line be called Forever 21 also? Why the distinction?
Posted by: Lola | March 31, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Yay!!! Finally i can go into Forever 21 and not just buy jewelry!!!
Posted by: Precious | April 10, 2009 at 10:24 AM
How come they're not selling this line in Canada?
Posted by: Linda | April 13, 2009 at 03:44 PM
This news spread like wild fire, so I had to go straight to google and see for myself. Fluffy ladies rejoice!
Posted by: Rachel Patz | April 16, 2009 at 04:57 PM
I think its great that forever21 is making a plus size line, but! us plus size girls don't wanna dress in things that make us look heavier, we do not want to dress like were pregnant , we need something to slim our look. whats with the top's? they are either really short or way to long .. we need something just to cover the pouch!, and not every girl can pull off the straight legs specially if they have thick legs, they need more of the boot leg, and i dont think, that girls with chunky legs can not run around in WIDE legs with out looking like crap in plan English. give us the A frame dress, and top's . we like the same cute close you make for the small girl , just in our size , so just make them bigger, and maybe tweak them a bit because we are heavy but we do have a figure, so curve those tops , if i go to lane Bryant's all there tops are for square people, sponge Bob's family would be happy to shop there , although they do make a new line of paints that are great " right fit" now that was someone using there noodle. oh and another thing , why cant they use a plus size model, and remember that all plus size women are not 5'10" or taller, were short, some round some pear shape , even hour glassed , i know i would like to see someone my shape and size so i can get an idea of how that item would look on me. by the way I'm an hr glass size 14-16 and stand 5'6" with chunky legs. i am a real live women.. curves and all
Posted by: kate | April 20, 2009 at 05:44 AM
the line will be available online, so i imagine everyone in the US and possibly Canada will have access to it...and once they see the success of the new line, it will definitely spread to stores around the nation. I am freaking excited about this news, I think it's fabulous! Like someone else said, I can finally buy cute clothes on the cheap, and go into Forever 21 for something other than jewelry. What a fantastic idea. I love you for it, Forever 21!
Posted by: peachy | April 20, 2009 at 03:25 PM
It is about time.
Posted by: Yolanda Lockett | April 20, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Finally,somewhere we can shop at, since Torrid is really expensive . This store going to have really cute clothes that we can afford!! I luv Forever21!
Posted by: Kandy | April 21, 2009 at 02:40 PM
what size exactly are they for instance a 2x is that a 16 or what?
Posted by: noreen | April 21, 2009 at 11:42 PM