Debenham's Size 16 Mannequins Are "Too Little And Very Late" Says Plus Size Pioneer

CHORLTON-CUM-HARDY, U.K. - Nov. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- DEBENHAM’s surprise announcement that it is introducing size 16 mannequins in the womenswear sections of its department stores was described as “too little, and very late” by Manchester-based plus size fashion pioneer Alice Jacob.

The founder of the Lady Bountiful boutique in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, which is currently celebrating its 20^th anniversary, said: “Although this is a move in the right direction, it is a very small step forward. Having said that, with most stores still using size eight and size ten mannequins, it is significant.

“I now look forward to Debenhams doing what all women have wanted for a long time – stocking quality clothing for women of all shapes and sizes.

"Two decades after opening the region’s first plus size boutique in Manchester, the available choice of quality fashion clothing for bigger women in the UK remains abysmal", added the businesswoman who founded her store when a thyroid condition caused her to gain weight.

“When I opened my boutique for sizes 18-32 back in 1993 I quickly learned that the only way to stock it with fashionable, well-made, plus size quality clothing was by travelling to Germany several times a year and buying garments from a huge selection that were simply not available anywhere else.

“After the launch of Lady Bountiful, a few plus-size stores began to appear elsewhere in the UK but they also had to buy from Germany. I had assumed the growing demand for quality clothing for bigger women would eventually convince British designers and manufacturers to take the significant Plus-Size sector seriously.

“But, despite the passing of two decades little has changed. I still make my trips to Germany, several times a year, to select my Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer collections because the offering of size 18 – 32 garments from the UK’s designers and manufacturers is virtually non-existent.

“Actually it is scandalous that this section of society is ignored by the vast majority of designers and manufacturers, because the number of plus sized women in the UK is significant. You could argue that we are victims of a form of discrimination. Why shouldn’t larger sized women have the same range of choice in clothing as skinnier ladies?”

“I’m now looking forward to seeing the other big department stores follow Debenham’s lead. Maybe one of the other big chains might go one better and opt for a size 18 or even size 20 mannequins! At least that would be a sign of real progress,” added Alice speaking from her Wilbraham Road store.

“ Let’s hope things have improved by the time we celebrate Lady Bountiful’s 30^th anniversary.

For further information about Lady Bountiful click onto: www.ladybountiful.co.uk

ENDS