Native Australian designer, Nicholas Bowes began his career in fashion as a successful runway model. Today, he is the Owner/Designer of one of the Hottest Street-Chic clothing labels in NY, LA, and Japan. Krma by Nicholas Bowes launched in 2003. The clever acronym stands for Kangaroos Roam Mainland Australia. His leather jackets and Rock Star Tees have been a favorite among Superstars from Alicia Keys to Adrian Grenier and A-list fashionistas!

MUST HAVE FOR SPRING:

Krma's women's leathers are BAD ASS- with the perfect balance of edge and femininity. These timeless jackets come in an assortment of colors and are cut to flatter various shapes and sizes (they just so happen to be SUPER comfortable too). Oh and guys... Krma's Men's line is just as Hot! The leather used throughout the collection is buttery soft to the touch (as it should be when made with fine Italian lambskin) and just feels lucious. I promise that this will be your go-to jacket once the weather warms up a bit. My fave is the Dean Jacket...

STYLE TIP:

Ladies,with Spring just around the corner, pair your Leather with a soft flirty dress and a pair of high heel booties and Voila! Instant Chicness.

SHOP:

Krma Jackets and Tees at Atrium, Henri Bendel, Barney's New York & LA, Fred Segal, Isetan in Japan and online at Maluka.com, shopmanhattanite.com and Krmaclothing.com

BE CAREFUL: Big Drop is carrying a cheap knockoff of Krma called PORTER. Don't make the mistake of trying to save a few bucks and ending up with the impostor! Honestly, if you don't have the $600 to spend on the real deal, you might as well buy a pleather from Forever21.

Fact: The average American woman weighs in at around 163 pounds and wears a size 14. So why is it that when it comes to fashion, the average woman is treated like an aberration? Can you even think of one high end boutique that carries a size larger then a ten... if that? Is it possible that all of these store owners are just snobs who would rather cater to a skinnier clientele then perhaps triple their sales by selling garments to fat chicks? Ummm... No.

Today's most revered designers simply do not create their designs taking larger women into consideration-period. The truth is that the fashion elite have never thought of heavy set women as being fashion forward. Take Karl Lagerfeld for example: Back in 2004, Lagerfeld (who by the by spent most of his adult life battling a major weight problem), created a capsule line for H&M. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, he voiced his discontentment when H&M produced his designs in larger sizes:

"What I designed was fashion for slender slim people. The body has to be impeccable- If it's not, buy SMALLER sizes and LESS food." So, has Lagerfeld since changed his critical tune?

Hitting news stands on Janurary 14th, the avant-garde fashion publication V Magazine will feature plus size models in their Size Issue- celebrating women of all shapes and sizes. The issue will include a photo spread  titled Coco A Go-Go, where international burlesque dancer, Miss Dirty Martini, is photographed wearing accessories by Chanel and Lagerfeld... as well as pasties, cut-out bras, garter belts and stockings. Surprisingly, this was shot in the House of Chanel by none other than the Fat Loather himself; Mr. Karl Lagerfeld.

Also featured in this issue is One Size Fits All by Terry Richardson. A side by side comparison of Jacquelyn Jablonski, one of the industry's new faves, who's measurements are: 5'9 32/24/34 and plus size model & author of Hungry, Crystal Renn, who's measurements are: 5'9 36/31/41. Both models are shot in similar poses wearing the same ensembles. The purpose of this spread: to prove that you don't have to be a size zero to pull off these looks.

V's creative director, the talented Stephen Gan, says that he's more in tune then ever to what bigger models can offer. He put his money where his mouth is with this Size Issue, which also includes a high-fashion photo shoot with Norwegian fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo, capturing women who seemed eager to show off their thicker gams, fuller bellies, bigger breasts and even (dare I say it) their love handles.

Although I'm ecstatic that fashion publications are featuring more realistically shaped women in their issues I'm curious.. why now? Why are editors like Cindi Leive of Glamour mag finally deciding to work with voluptuous models when for so long they've been fixated on super thin waifs? What prompted this change? I mean women have always come in different shapes and sizes haven't they? Is this just a temporary ploy to draw more attention to their publication or will these magazines continue to show various body types?  What's next...  will Mattel start to produce a curvier Barbie?

I wonder if fashion spreads like this one will help to persuade high end designers to up their sizes in production. Will women who wear a size 14 finally able to rock Alexander Wang or Rodarte, or will they be forced to continue to shop at stores like Layne Bryant and Avenue?

There is a huge market for bigger sizes and has been for years, yet, not one women's RTW designer has brought anything to the table thus far. Funny thing is that most of today's lauded fashion labels are designed by gay men and judging by the way their garments lay, are cut to fit skinny boys. (Except of course you, Mr. Kors)

I have to say that I find it so ironic that the dynamic duo of Rodarte, sisters Laura Mulleavy and Kate Mulleavy (who clearly wouldn't be able to get a leg into any of the garments that they design), wouldn't make an effort to manufacture larger sizes? Really? They are real women with curves who create killer pieces, but they too turn their noses up to plus size women. Where is their conscious?

Even fast fashion chain Forever21 has cultivated a Plus Size category titled Faith21, offering a limited selection of their "knockoff looks" in larger sizes. Sadly, after doing some research for this editorial, I have only found ONE online sight that offers a decent fashion assortment for bigger gals: Missphit.com. Entrenched in the heart of L.A.'s rising world fashion scene, Missphit designs solely for the fashion forward girl who is selective with her fit. Missphit was created by husband-and-wife team Yul and Christina Kwon, as a result of years of listening to what curvy women want. Their sizes range from 1x-3x, their clothing is fashion forward and inexpensive.

Maybe we'll start seeing more life sized models in our favorite mags. Maybe designers will step up to the plate and produce their collections in larger sizes. And maybe, just maybe, 2010 will be the year when the fashion industry incorporates the mantra: Real Women Have Curves God Damn It!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Coat Couture

Lust:

Rick Owens: This designer needs no introduction... Rick's prices range from $1800-$3800 and can be found on ssense.com, farfetch.com, luisaviaroma.com and net-a-porter.com.

Preen: Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi launched Preen in 1996, selling clothes inspired by iconic Britishisms like Victoriana and Punk Rock. One year later, they had a shop on Portobello Road, and in the years since, the London-based label has earned strong editorial coverage for its clean, fluid lines and slouchy-futuristic elegance. Prices range from $1400-$2500 and can be found on lagarconne.com and net-a-porter.com. LOVE!

Must:

Mackage: Montreal based designers, Elisa Dahan and Eran Elfassy are the creative duo behind this label. Having debuted their fashion careers at the ripe age of 20, their talent and eye for trend setting looks amazes all. The line is well-known to fashionistas in Canada and US for its strength in outerwear and its wonderfully cut leathers. Mackage has no age. It is made for the fashion-forward woman. Prices range from $350-$750 and can be found on bloomingdales.com, ssense.com, revolveclothing.com and luxlabel.com

Isabella Oliver: This UK based label sells their flattering designs directly on their website; isabellaoliver.com. I accidentally found them while I was searching for a black coat on Shopsyle.com & fell in love with some of their affordable chic pieces. They also have an amazing Maternity clothing selection! Coat prices range from $280-$500.

Glove Love

Lust:

American Retro: Don't let the name fool you, American Retro is a fully French, fashion-forward label that delivers serious style. Their pieces have the perfect combination of old-school details & innovative design. American Retro gloves can be found on shopbop.com and prontostyle.com and run from $185-$320.

Click to Read More Holiday Must-Haves

And our love affair with Rocker Chic continues...

You don't have to be a full fledged Rocker Chick to add some edginess to your wardrobe. It's all about properly accessorizing.

CHAIN REACTION

Lust:

Falconiere by Juniper Rose: Juniper's collection can be found on Net-A-Porter.com Prices range from $500-$1200.

Fiona Paxton: This London Based Eponymous label ranges from $250- $500 and can be found on Shopbop.com, Revolveclothing.com, Bloomingdales.com, and Saks.com.

Must:

Madewell: This Denim based fashion label known for being J. Crew's little sister, has cultivated a price conscious jewelry collection. Prices range from $30-$100 and can be found on Shopbop.com.

Forever21: Prices range from $5-$20 and can be found on Forever21.com.

ROCK N SOLE

Lust:

Balmain: God I LOVE Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain! Prices range from $1600- $2500 and can be found on Shopbop.com and Net-a-porter.com.

Pour La Victoire: My go to shoe label for the past two years. PLV prices range from $250-$500 and can be found on Shopbop.com, Endless.com, and Bloomingdales.com.

Must:

DV by Dolce Vita: Dolce Vita's diffusion line Rocks! Super affordable with prices ranging from $150-$250 and can be found on Zappos.com, Endless.com, and Shopbop.com.

Forever21: Forever21 Shoe Collection offers prices ranging from $30-$60 and can be found on Forever21.com as well as in stores.

JUST THROW IT IN THE BAG

Lust:

Donna Karan: Need I say more? Donna Karen's handbag collection can be found on Net-a-porter.com, Neimanmarcus.com and Nordstrom.com. Prices range from $1300-$2300.

Alexander Wang: The epitome of Edgy Chic. Alex's self tittled handbag collection ranges from $595-$1500 and can be found on Shopbop.com, Myteresa.com and directly on his website at Shopalexanderwang.com.

Must:

Fullum & Holt: This Montreal-based leather goods company has been around for over 100 years. Fullum & Holt has specialized in producing leather handbags and accessories for brands such as Alexander Wang and Ralph Lauren, for the first time ever they are producing their own handbag line under the name Fullum & Holt, with prices ranging from $500-$750. Shop Fullumboutique.com.

Forever21: These bags are practically free with prices ranging from $20-$50. They can be found in Forever21 stores and on line at Forever21.com.