BLACKBURN AND SWEETZER

A master when it comes to covered-up sexy (and, uh, sometimes not so covered up, see right) in figure-draping jersey, designer Rachel Pally (see earlier post on Pally’s winter/holiday ‘07 show) is teaming up with Nordstrom to launch a plus-size line for fall, which will hit stores in July, reported by WWD today:

Wholesaling from $26 for an obi sash to $120 for an ankle-skimming dress inspired by a caftan, the 18 styles made of Modal-spandex jersey in the plus-size line, Rachel Pally White Label, will run from size 14 to 20. The collection will include rich, saturated colors like teal and paprika, as well as abstract prints such as a climbing vine.

With this country as overweight as ever, Pally sees an opening in the market for fashion-forward options for the bigger set. Nordstrom will get a six-month exclusive to the line but after that it will be available for wider distribution, and I predict plenty of $$$ for Pally and her White Label.