Why It Took Designers So Long to Grasp the Needs of Plus-Size Brides

      Welcome to The Who What Wear Podcast. Think of it as your direct connection to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors, and influencers shaping the fashion and beauty industry. Subscribe to The Who What Wear Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. When Ana Escalante, associate features editor at Who What Wear, got engaged, she had many thoughts running through her mind, one of which was what she would wear on her wedding day. "As I began this deeply personal and intimate journey, I became incredibly frustrated with the limited options available. The wedding industry tends to make those who are plus-size feel insignificant," Escalante stated. This frustration inspired her to explore why it has taken designers so long to cater to plus-size brides. "As I started reaching out to other plus-size brides and content creators who had recently become engaged, I sensed a significant gap in the plus-size bridal market," she added. In the most recent episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Escalante discusses how the story developed, the criteria she used to evaluate the designers she met, and more. For highlights from their conversation, scroll down.

      Could you share what inspired this story and your motivation to write it? When I got engaged, numerous thoughts filled my mind. Among the most pressing was, "What will I wear?" This question was always at the forefront. As I began this deeply personal process, I found myself increasingly frustrated with the lack of options. The wedding industry, especially for plus-size individuals, has a way of making you feel marginalized. Many in the plus-size fashion community have become desensitized to the ready-to-wear industry's limitations; we know that much of what is presented on runways won’t be available in our sizes. Yet, for the one wedding dress we’re excited about or have fantasized over for years, one would hope this part of the industry would be more inclusive. However, I found the reality to be quite the opposite. This story emerged from my personal need. As I interacted with other plus-size brides and content creators who had just become engaged, I noticed a significant gap in the plus-size bridal market. While there are many mass-market retailers offering a range of sizes that serve numerous women in America, that’s just one available option.

      Another alternative is to connect with designers or spend tens of thousands of dollars on a custom-made gown, which isn’t financially feasible for many of us. I felt like there was a missing segment, a kind of demi couture that should exist in the bridal industry. I aimed to discover why that was absent, whether any designers catered to brides with a more refined aesthetic or a reasonable budget, and, if they do exist, where the marketing for that was. That’s how this journey began.

      What were your initial steps in approaching this dress journey and your story, as it seems quite overwhelming? The entire process took about two months of research and visits to different bridal boutiques. Before I reached out to you about this story, I had already attended several appointments and realized, "Wow, there’s so much to unpack here." Before diving deeper, I consulted Alysia Cole, a plus-size bridal stylist and content creator. Much of her content arose from her own challenges when she got engaged in 2015, particularly regarding the lack of sample sizes and styles for plus-size brides.

      What were some of your favorite boutiques that you felt excelled in your appointment experiences? As I selected designers to feature in the piece, I had a strict set of requirements. One was that I needed to sit down with a designer to discuss their sizing decisions. Additionally, I had to physically visit their showrooms and try on the samples. I needed to ensure that if they claimed to be working on plus-size samples or had previously worked with plus-size brides, they still offered something beyond a size six, which wouldn’t work for me. As a result, two designers that met my criteria were Alexander Grecco and Jenny Yoo. The conversations and experiences I had with them were truly special and memorable.

      This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.