15 Hints About What’s In Melissa McCarthy’s New Plus-Size Collection

UPDATE: A few more details have been released today about the impending Melissa McCarthy clothing collection. And, first thing’s first: WWD is reporting it’ll be here next fall. Having partnered with Sunrise Brands, McCarthy is officially planning for a casual sportswear line to release first, soon followed by an extension into accessories and beauty the following year or two, the report says. And, while it’s exciting for us that one of our favorite funny ladies and fashion fanatics is creating a line that’s neither strictly plus- nor straight-sized — “It’s a strange thing to stop at a certain size. Women don’t, so why should clothes?,” she said to WWD — but the offerings will be totally accessible. You’ll be able to find them in department stores, as well as smaller boutiques, with prices between $39 and $118. (WWD)

Even though walking the red carpet and getting photographed in pretty outfits hardly counts as a job (friendly reminder for a few starlets out there), it does have a big impact on a variety of industries. It's an extremely superficial micro-universe where trends get perpetuated, celebrities tempt endorsements, and designers' careers can be made or broken. Plus-size women already get the shaft in the fashion sphere, and the step-and-repeat is one place that these inequalities are only magnified — just ask Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy.

"Two Oscars ago, I couldn't find anybody to do a dress for me," the actress told Redbook. "I asked five or six designers — very high-level ones who make lots of dresses for people — and they all said no." McCarthy ended up wearing a custom, gray, jersey-draped David Meister gown that, while beautiful, didn't come close to matching her high-wattage personality. Now, the intrepid funny gal's striking while the iron is hot. She's teaming up with a longtime red carpet collaborator, Daniella Pearl, to create a line of plus-size clothing. Unlike many other celebrities who've undertaken collections ("cosigned" might be a better word), McCarthy actually has a background in design: "I went to school for clothing and textiles, so I always thought I was going to do womens' clothing anyway. [I went] from FIT to doing stand-up, so I feel like I am going back to it."

While there's no actual information out yet about what's to come in the collection, there's plenty of evidence to be gleaned from McCarthy, herself. Not shy of the red carpet, the star has a veritable flip-book of hits from which to pull inspiration. Expect some waist-cinching maxi-dresses in bold, graphic prints; all-black separates in artful, avant-garde silhouettes; and some solid, knee-length, long-sleeved dresses that'll pad both your professional wardrobe and your after-hours one, too. The evidence, ahead.