Melissa McCarthy wears a lot of hats: movie star, mother, comedian and fashion designer. And now that her clothing line Melissa McCarthy Seven7 is launching at multiple major retailers, she’s adding body positivity advocate to the mix.
The star’s main issue is with the label “plus size,” and how it feels when women’s clothing is segregated in stores.
“Women come in all sizes. Seventy percent of women in the United States are a size 14 or above, and that’s technically ‘plus-size,’ so you’re taking your biggest category of people and telling them, ‘You’re not really worthy.’ I find that very strange,” she told Refinery29. “I just think, if you’re going to make women’s clothing, make women’s clothing. Designers that put everyone in categories are over-complicating something that should be easy.”
McCarthy, who will appear in the upcoming all-female Ghostbusters, revealed that some “very big retailers” are going to help her “chip away” at how plus-size clothes are placed in stores. Her line comes in sizes four through 28 and includes basics, leggings, tees and loungewear.
In June 2014 with Redbook, the actress shared her motivation for why she decided to launch her own line.
“When I go shopping, most of the time I’m disappointed,” the star told Redbook. “Two Oscars ago, I couldn’t find anybody to do a dress for me. I asked five or six designers—very high-level ones who make lots of dresses for people—and they all said no.”
Now wouldn’t it be nice if we could get her to rid the fashion industry of the phrase ‘skinny jeans’?
On fame
On loving life
On body image
On feeling fulfilled
On confidence
On being yourself
On women
On weight
Read next: The All-Female Ghostbusters Cast Surprised Young Patients at a Boston Hospital
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Your Vote Is Safe
- The Best Inventions of 2024
- How the Electoral College Actually Works
- Robert Zemeckis Just Wants to Move You
- Column: Fear and Hoping in Ohio
- How to Break 8 Toxic Communication Habits
- Why Vinegar Is So Good for You
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
Contact us at letters@time.com