Trend Tracker® Talks Plus-Size Fashion Success With Lane Bryant CEO

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – In this edition of "Women To Watch," Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani talks to a fashion veteran who believes her work in the industry is more than a job. It's a mission.

Linda Heasley is the President and CEO of Lane Bryant and she recently spoke to Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani at a store visit and fashion event.

Lane Bryant specializes in well made, fashion forward clothing for plus size women. In business since 1904, the company has 775 stores nationwide.

The company's basic philosophy is size doesn't matter, what matters is attitude.

Attitude is what style is all about and Linda Heasley knows style. She has had a long and illustrious career with several top brands.

She was CEO at The Limited, prior to being CEO at Lane Bryant.  Plus size wasn't a jump, it was a calling.

"As I started researching it more I realized there is an incredible need," said Heasley. "I felt it was a mission. There's so much of what we do in fashion is frivolous and what we do at Lane Bryant is important and necessary."

Watch Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani One On One With Linda Heasley

Heasley's goals are very clear.

"Put the fashion industry on notice. Women deserve better. All women deserve great fashion," said Heasley.

Her mantra is as clear as her mission.

"We pride ourselves on 'this is all we do.' It's not mixed in with everything else that many apparel retailers and many department stores do. They serve a lot of different kinds of customers. We serve only one kind.  Our sole focus is on her."

The CEO of Lane Bryant is not a plus-sized woman and she's no stranger to the question regarding her size and ability to relate to plus-sized women.

"Do I wish I could put the clothes on and really be able to give my design team feedback on fit and everything? Yes. Have I had to train myself to ask questions for the women that are wearing the clothes and to reach out to a number of different people to find out about it? Yes. It makes me work harder," she said.

Hard work is what she loves and she loves her job.

"I do indeed," said Heasley. "I love feeling like we're making a difference. I wake up and I have a mission at hand. I love my associates, the people I work with, and the clients we serve. I couldn't ask for more."

Tara asked Linda if she had any advice on managing challenges.

"I haven't focused on my struggles of being a woman in a sea of men. I work very hard to insure that the organization we're cultivating is inclusive for everybody, regardless of sex, race, regardless of who you are. That's really what it's all about," she replied.

Before this interview wrapped up, a quick fill-in-the-blank game as Tara asked Linda to name a few of her favorite things.

Her first answer, "I have my Jil Sander leather bag. I just love it," she said laughingly. Then, "I don't think of him as a thing but I love my dog and of course, my husband.  Oh my, he would be horrified if he heard me say he was a thing."

When asked by Tara, "I am ____?" She replied, "I am an insomniac."

"I want ____?" She replied, "I want my next pair of Prada shoes."

"I won't ______?" Her answer, "I won't make promises I can't keep."

Finally, "I promise _____?" Her reply, "I promise I will clean up the house for my husband this weekend," followed by a hearty laugh and, "It'll never happen."

For more on Linda Heasley and the latest trend innovations at Lane Bryant, visit www.LaneBryant.com, or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaneBryant and follow them on Twitter at @lanebryant.

RELATED CONTENT: