In an era where self-expression and representation are no longer optional but imperative, a bold new force is rewriting the rules of fashion inclusivity. Viva Voce, a groundbreaking plus-size community platform and online marketplace, has officially launched in the U.S. market, setting out to amplify voices and bodies historically excluded from the mainstream. At the heart of this movement is a singular mission: to make fashion a space where every individual—regardless of size—is seen, celebrated, and heard.
Reclaiming Identity: The Vision Behind Viva Voce
Founded by entrepreneur and advocate Kate Zigrang, Viva Voce is more than a digital destination—it is a rallying cry for body liberation. Zigrang’s journey is deeply personal, shaped by years of searching for clothing that not only fit but reflected her identity as a tall, fat woman—a description she intentionally embraces to challenge stigma and promote authenticity. In an industry notorious for its narrow definitions of beauty, Zigrang’s lived experience sparked a vision for a platform rooted in self-expression, representation, and the radical act of belonging.
The name "Viva Voce," Latin for "with living voice," signals the brand's commitment to amplifying marginalized perspectives. Zigrang articulates this ethos with clarity and conviction: "For too long, many of us have felt invisible in spaces that should celebrate who we are. Viva Voce is here to change that by providing a space where everyone is invited to show up fully and freely. It’s a home for self-expression and a community where every voice and every body, at every stage, is seen, heard, and valued."
Challenging the Algorithm: A New Kind of Social Space
Unlike traditional fashion platforms that often prioritize curated perfection and algorithm-driven popularity, Viva Voce is designed to foster genuine connection. The platform is intentionally free from the pressures of performative posting and the often-toxic influence of social media algorithms. Instead, it offers interactive forums, collaborative content creation, and co-hosted store events that promote meaningful engagement and authentic self-expression.
This approach signals a critical shift in digital fashion communities. Viva Voce’s infrastructure is built to encourage members to co-create the future of fashion, making it not only a marketplace but a living, evolving hub for ideas, dialogue, and collective empowerment. In a world saturated by fleeting trends and superficial metrics, Viva Voce stands as an antidote—a space where individuality is not only welcomed but championed.
Curated Commerce: Elevating Independent, Values-Driven Brands
Central to Viva Voce’s offering is its meticulously curated online marketplace, which features an impressive roster of independent, values-driven brands. This is not simply a retail experience; it is a marketplace designed with ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability at its core. Among the partners are:
- Pamut Apparel
- ABLE Clothing
- Nomads
- Reistor
- Baacal by Cynthia Vincent
- Hilary MacMillan
- See ROSE Go
- Wear Proclaim
- Tamara Malas
- GIA /irl
- Chouette Designs
- Thunderpants USA
- tomboyx (in-store only)
Each brand has been hand-selected for its commitment to expanded sizing (XS-6X at launch), ethical production, sustainability, or authentic representation. This holistic approach ensures a shopping experience where everyone, regardless of size or background, can find clothing that resonates both aesthetically and ethically.
In an industry where plus-size consumers are often relegated to limited options, Viva Voce’s marketplace emerges as a beacon of possibility, offering not just breadth of choice but depth of meaning. The focus on independent labels signals a desire to disrupt the status quo, supporting designers and makers who are challenging the conventions of fashion from the ground up.
From Atlanta to Brooklyn: Creating Physical Spaces for Community
Viva Voce’s impact is not confined to the virtual realm. Following the success of its Atlanta pop-up in the summer of 2025, the brand is set to open its next pop-up on October 16, 2025, at 276 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This new location, which will remain open through February 2026, is poised to become a vibrant hub for curated fashion, weekly activations, and community-driven events in one of the world’s undisputed fashion capitals.
By bridging the digital and physical, Viva Voce is cultivating tangible spaces where individuals can gather, connect, and celebrate bold ideas. The Brooklyn pop-up promises to advance the brand’s mission, offering a living laboratory for self-expression and a focal point for collective creativity. Weekly events and curated experiences will invite participants to engage with fashion not as passive consumers but as active collaborators in a movement for visibility and value.
The Power of Collective Voice: Shaping Fashion’s Future
Viva Voce positions itself at the intersection of self-expression, representation, and commerce—guided by the conviction that visibility is not merely a privilege but a right. The platform’s foundation in lived experience and its commitment to collective voice distinguish it in a market that too often relies on tokenism or surface-level gestures of inclusivity.
Every collection, collaboration, and conversation on Viva Voce is informed by the belief that fashion should serve everyone. By actively challenging weight-based discrimination and embracing the full spectrum of bodies, Viva Voce is not only opening doors—it is dismantling them entirely. The result is a community where validity is inherent, and value is non-negotiable.
In many ways, Viva Voce is responding to a question that has long haunted the fashion industry: Who is fashion for, and who gets to decide? By rooting its platform in authenticity and amplifying voices that have historically been sidelined, Viva Voce is helping to reshape not just the products we buy, but the very narratives that underpin the industry.
Why Viva Voce Matters: A Movement, Not Just a Marketplace
The launch of Viva Voce marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of fashion. It is a declaration that every body matters—not as an afterthought, but as the centerpiece of the conversation. In doing so, Viva Voce is setting a new standard for what fashion can and should be: a space for radical self-expression, meaningful representation, and genuine belonging.
As the platform continues to grow, its influence will be measured not only by sales or social metrics, but by the depth of connection and the transformation of cultural attitudes. Viva Voce’s challenge to the industry is clear: move beyond performative inclusivity and embrace the messy, beautiful reality of diverse lived experiences.
For consumers, designers, and advocates alike, Viva Voce offers more than just clothing. It offers a chance to participate in a movement—a reimagining of fashion that puts people, voices, and bodies at the center. The ripple effect of this shift could reverberate far beyond Brooklyn, reshaping how fashion shows up in the world for years to come.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Fashion Belongs to All
Viva Voce’s emergence is both timely and necessary. In a cultural landscape hungry for authenticity and connection, the platform’s commitment to visibility, validity, and value stands as a powerful counterpoint to exclusion and erasure. By centering self-expression and inviting true collaboration, Viva Voce is helping to build an industry where the future truly belongs to all.
As fashion continues to grapple with questions of representation and access, Viva Voce offers a clear blueprint for progress—one that others would do well to follow. In amplifying the living voices of its community, the platform is not just rewriting fashion—it is reinventing it, one collection, event, and conversation at a time.
