Ashley Stewart (CLOSED)

This plus-size women’s brand, named after American icons Laura Ashley and Martha Stewart, unveiled a flagship in downtown Brooklyn. Gentle track lamps highlight floor-to-ceiling displays of confident, curvy women wearing trendy, colorful, bold prints. The space also showcases a rainbowlike layout, bundling together merchandise in similar hues. Two backlit walls are packed with blinged-out jewelry ($9–$35), a small selection of footwear ($15–$25) and celebworthy sunglasses ($11). To match the chain’s new interior makeover, the clothes have also gotten a stylish upgrade, representing a bevy of size-12-to-26 gals who refuse to settle for anything resembling a muumuu. Chic finds include lightweight scarf-print ponchos ($35) and strapless full-body jumpsuits ($40). Casual summertime staples are also on deck, like V-neck sleeveless linen frocks ($49), printed maxidresses with ruffles ($50) and straight-leg capri pants ($30).