Melissa McCarthy has been hinting at a plus-size clothing line for years, but only now has that dream finally taken shape into reality!
Recently, the star opened up to WWD and revealed exactly what her “designs” are on her yet-unnamed line, launching in Fall of 2015. The collection will likely include her name or where it will be sold, but she says clothing design has been in her blood for years. (In fact, she moved from her Illinois farm to N.Y.C. to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, until pal Brian Atwood made her drop out to pursue stand-up comedy.) Get it, girl!
On the future of her new brand: “I’d been looking for two, three, maybe four years for manufacturers to help us do this line,” she says. “But after we met with Sunrise [Brands, which also owns lines like American Rag and Superdry], we felt they were committed to changing the plus-size game.” For McCarthy, that means launching with casual sportswear next year, and expanding into more accessories, beauty products and a more career-focused, upscale line in 2016 and 2017.
On the goals of her new brand: “I always said, ‘Why can’t I find great stuff?’ And Sunrise was up to the challenge … [they aren’t] afraid to shake it up and bring plus-size up to fashion,” she said, adding that her chief goal was to make her line available — both in size, price and access — to all consumers. “I’m doing all sizes. It’s a strange thing to stop at a certain size. Women don’t, so why should clothes?” she said of her collection, which will initially top out at about $118 and be offered online as well as in stores, for shoppers who don’t live near major shopping hubs.
On being fashionable at every size: “I’ve been every size on the planet,” she tells WWD. “I have experience dressing me as a 6, a 12 and more. And when you go above a size 12, you don’t lose your love of fashion.” And before too long, we’ll see just how she translates that passion.
On her love of fashion:“It was everything I ever wanted to do,” she says. “I loved the playfulness of fashion. I think maybe that’s why I became an actress. You put on one outfit and feel one way, and another one will make you feel another way. Clothes are a wonderful tool.”
Agreed! We love you Melissa and we can’t WAIT to see what kind of awesome clothes you have in store for the world!
Photo: FameFlynet