Melissa McCarthy's Clothing Line Has Arrived

Whether we're talking about models on the runway or sizes available in stores, it's no secret that the plus-size community is poorly represented in the fashion industry. Melissa McCarthy's signature clothing line Melissa McCarthy Seven7 just launched, and for this comedian, size equality is no joke; it's a priority.

The Mike and Molly actress has openly struggled with weight for years, her size continuously fluctuating from a size 6 to 12. McCarthy’s namesake label has been designed for the ever-changing woman, inspired by her own struggles and fluctuating size. In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily that announced her emergence into the fashion industry, McCarthy confirmed that her line would not be plus-size exclusive. “I’m doing all sizes,” she stated. “It’s a strange thing to stop at a certain size. Women don’t, so why should clothes?”

Designing her own clothing line had been a desire of McCarthy’s since grade school, she told WWD. Before her acting career took off, she studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “I’d lay on the floor, look through Vogue and cut out patterns,” she told WWD. “It was everything I ever wanted to do.” Now not only is she living out her childhood fantasy, but she is doing so with a sense of purpose.

A woman’s admiration for style does not end once she is plus size, and if McCarthy’s collection is any indication, I think we will start to see more designers taking a stand against the limitations placed on women in the fashion industry.

According to McCarthy's brand brief, her mission is to "give women a whole new closet. To make all women love to shop again. To help women lose 'the uniform' and discover their own personal style. To make women feel great about themselves!"

Melissa McCarthy Seven7 will provide women with a range of sizes from 4 to 28. The collection will be available for purchase in select retailers including Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lane Bryant, and more, and can also be found online via MelissaMcCarthy.com. Price points range from $54 to $169.

Every woman is entitled to any style the fashion industry has to offer, and McCarthy's first line is a step toward style equality for all shapes and sizes.

Images: Courtesy of Melissa McCarthy Seven7 (3)