Plus-sized designer fashion will finally make its retail debut thanks to an iconic New York department store.

While the fashion industry continues to debate the plus-sized issue, Saks Fifth Avenue has thankfully taken matters into its own hands with the announcement that its ultra-chic high-end floor will soon feature the larger sizes in what is seen as a major coup for shoppers, designers and the wider fashion sector.

The Autumn/ Winter collections for 2010 will be the first seasonal release to showcase garments that up until last season were only available in UK size 14 (US size 10), with the range expected to extend to UK size 18 (US size 14) and possibly higher in some styles. The legendary retail store is famed for its celebrated and featured designers the world over, with the upshot of the announcement being that leading fashion houses such as Akris, Armani, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Carolina Herrera, Escada, Oscar de la Renta, Max Mara, Valentino, Michael Kors, Yves Saint Laurent, Donna Karan, St. John, Alexander McQueen, Fendi and Roberto Cavalli could all soon be sending out plus-sized versions of their famous lines.

However, the initial release of the larger sizes will probably have the drawback that most styles will be one-offs or trial releases to test the market, meaning only a select few will be able to get their hands on the designer plus-sized items in the early days. If the trial is a success, the Saks will roll out the range across the US, with its UK counterpart’s hopefully following suit.

Overweight children are being tailored to, literally, by leading retailer Marks & Spencer.

Marks and Spencer has launched a new range of over-sized school uniforms for children that are aged as young as four. The decision comes after studies reveal that one out of every five British schoolchildren is clinically overweight when they begin their schooling.

In the new M&S Plus school wear range, items include clothing designed for pre-school children who have waistlines of anywhere up to 23 inches – which is the size more usually found on the average eight year old. Marks and Spencer has said that the trial range of clothing followed demand for bigger sizes from parents, while industry experts said that the decision simply reflected the growing rate of obesity among younger children.

According to the National Obesity Forum’s Tam Fry, the move was commercial recognition of what the public and parents had been aware of for years, namely, that obesity levels in pre-schoolers is on the rise. Fry added that of all new entrants to primary schools across Britain, 27 per cent were obese or overweight.

The Plus school wear collection hit the shelves last week, and targets the 3 – 16 age bracket, with waistlines in both boys pants and girls skirts ranging up to 41 inches. A spokesperson for M&S said that they wanted to ensure that their school wear range was accessible to all shapes and sizes of pupil.