Curve Couture Finds Stylish Niche
Last month, Deirdre Mick debuted boutique Curve Couture in Solana Beach, Calif., because she saw a void in the fashion market for boutiques specializing in sophisticated plus-size apparel.
“I’m a larger woman myself. I’m in need of clothing. I was having trouble shopping,” said Mick, a mother and homemaker who formerly worked in residential real estate, advertising and theater.
Curve Couture offers fashions in sizes 12 and up, from European designers such as Fred Sabatier and Franck Anna. It also offers New York brands Kouroush and Lauren Vidal, as well as Los Angeles labels Cordelia, Melissa Masse and Comfy.
The 1,350-square-foot store offers clothes for office, evening and weekend wear. Retail price points range from $50 to more than $900 at Curve Couture. Mick shops at trade shows MAGIC, WomensWear In Nevada and Moda as well as the Los Angeles Fashion Market.
Eventually, she hopes to transform her boutique into a national chain. “There is no other high-end boutique like this,” she said.
Niche retailing has scaled back since the financial meltdown of 2008, according to market researchers The NPD Group. “Retailers cut back on niche businesses such as plus-size, and if you don’t feed it, it won’t grow,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst of NPD Group, in an email.—A.A.
