SIZES 0-36: DESIGNER TAMARA MALAS IS INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN

By: Erica Commisso

There’s no shortage of style in New York City: The energy behind the twice-annual Fashion Week shows carry the love of clothing through the city year round. The Big Apple’s street style is the stuff of legend, often shared in publications across the globe. And, in a cool space on Ludlow Street, one designer is ensuring that every woman, of every shape and size, has the opportunity to partake. 

Source: Tamara Malas

Tamara Malas, originally from Laguna Beach, California, founded her namesake brand in 2018 after graduating from the fashion design program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her background in sculpture and painting lends itself to her work through a creative approach with an eye for detail. At the core of the brand is inclusivity and each piece is grounded in real life though bursting with a whimsical air. The clothes, which come an intentional wide range of sizes - are intended to be wearable but unique cornerstones of a wardrobe, and they are all made responsibly and crafted to last. 

Let’s be honest - we all have different personal struggles what shopping for clothing but it has notably been an anxiety induced experience for those who fall outside of the industry’s standard size range, which typically extends from 0 to 14. This leaves many individuals struggling to find clothing that not only fits but also aligns with their personal style. Plus-size shoppers, in particular, often encounter limited options, outdated styles or poorly fitting garments due to brands failing to invest in thoughtful design for larger bodies.

Malas’ brick-and-mortar store opened during New York Fashion Week in September 2024 with many plus-sized influencers and fashion industry experts celebrating. 

Community is important aspect of Tamara Malas’ brand: The space at 143 Ludlow Street is carefully curated to invoke a sense of acceptance, allowing visitors to really feel free to unapologetically embrace their personal style. Fashion is more than just fabric; it is a means of self-expression, confidence, and identity - no matter what size you are. Tamara Malas validates that clothing goes beyond superficial meaning and allows people to truly express themselves through art. 

Source: Tamara Malas

Malas’ designs are offered in sizes 0 to 36, a rarity in fashion. This is primarily due to cost influenced by several factors including pattern development, production costs and inventory management. Most brands create and offer up to an XL, which simply doesn’t fit the reality of women’s shapes in 2025. When brands do offer a more inclusive size range, many shoppers are frustrated with the options, highlighting that they are made poorly, designed in generic shapes that don’t compliment a figure and simply aren’t fitting their style. Plus-sized fashionistas also struggle with the lack of variety in pieces - it’s a lot of the same basics, they say. 

Enter Malas, who splashes her inclusive offerings with bold colours and fun prints, textured fabrics, and even details that flatter the female figure. Dresses get a metallic finish, swimwear and undergarments explode with bold patterns, and matching sets are cut in lengths and shapes that sit just right. Color-blocking is thoughtfully applied, reversible pieces actually boast two wearable options, and personality and personal style shine in each responsibly-made piece. Equally as importantly, the models showcasing the clothes on the website are representations of reality - women of all shapes and sizes showcase Malas’ work.  

The emphasis on community and inclusivity is deliberate - it was a conscious choice borne out of Malas’ negative experiences with the industry. “This brand is for me, and anyone like me who has ever felt excluded from fashion,” she writes on her website. “Because I heard that you should create what you want to see in the world. This one's for us." And she will continue to celebrate people like her, people who once felt excluded. 

The commitment to size inclusivity has a ripple effect on the fashion industry and beyond. By proving that it is possible—and profitable—to design for all bodies, Tamara Malas challenges other brands to expand their size offerings. The visibility of size-inclusive brands helps shift cultural narratives around beauty and body acceptance. When people of all sizes see themselves represented in fashion campaigns and collections, it sends a powerful message that everyone deserves to feel beautiful, comfortable, and celebrated in their own skin.

Tamara Malas - both the designer and brand are shaping a movement towards a more inclusive and empowering fashion industry. By prioritizing fit, styl and accessibility, she is setting a new standard—one where fashion truly is for everyone.