From the Magazine Digital Covers Idina Menzel Describes New 'Inclusive' Clothing Line Encore as 'Sleep to Street': 'It's for Everyone' Idina Menzel says her new clothing line Encore — which is available at QVC — can be summed up as "timeless" and "comfort" By Nicholas Rice Nicholas Rice Nicholas Rice is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE Magazine. He began working with the brand as an Editorial Intern in early 2020, before later transitioning to a freelance role, and then staff positions soon after. Nicholas writes and edits anywhere between 7 to 9 stories per day on average for PEOPLE, spanning across each vertical the brand covers. People Editorial Guidelines Published on May 18, 2022 01:00PM EDT Photo: Encore by Idina Menzel Idina Menzel is stepping into the style game. The Broadway icon, 50, has launched her very own clothing line, a collection of fashionable yet easy-to-wear pieces called Encore. Speaking with PEOPLE, Menzel says that she "never really saw myself as a very fashion kind of girl," but the desire to craft the collection — which will be sold on QVC — came about out of a want to have clothing that she could wear to bed and continue wearing the next morning, all while still looking "chic." "Sleep to street, that's kind of where it came from," the actress tells PEOPLE with a laugh. "And then, when I started to really manifest the idea and put it out there, I [saw] how I could build upon that for an entire collection and really take decision making [of a day's outfit] out of the equation." Idina Menzel Admits She Had a 'Hard Time' Turning 50, But Says Son Walker Reminds Her 'You're Beautiful' Encore by Idina Menzel "To be able to go into my closet and not feel overwhelmed, and know that I have these pieces that work with everything in my closet — that the colors go together, that the fabrics feel great, that I feel confident in them ... and it all works together — [is what I wanted]," she continues. "Even though I'm in these costumes and on these red carpets and all that stuff, the real me is someone at home who likes to just roll up on the couch and feel comfortable, and not be overly dressed," adds Menzel. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Encore by Idina Menzel Idina Menzel's 'Not My Name' Challenge Pokes Fun at John Travolta's Infamous 'Adele Dazeem' Flub Encore retails for between $40 and $100, is composed of 15 pieces total and features sizes from XS to 3X. Making Encore in a range of sizes, Menzel says, was of the utmost importance. "The line needed to be inclusive and diverse and feel like it's for everyone," she shares. "When you're doing a line like this, it's actually really rewarding to see when you create a certain look and how it looks on different body types, and all kinds of women." "That," the former Wicked star continues, "actually was the most exciting part for me." She adds: "I put myself in the room with some great collaborators, and I [told them] I need things to feel really comfortable and model them after things that I want on my own body and a lot of my own idiosyncratic, neurotic body insecurities." Want to get the biggest stories from PEOPLE every weekday? Subscribe to our new podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday. Johanna D Halsmith/QVC Of the name of the line, Menzel explains that she wanted it "to be reminiscent of me, the performer, but more than that on a deeper level, it's this idea that I truly believe that the clothes are for all of us who play so many roles in our lives." "We're trying to multitask and trying to keep it together, and occasionally everyone needs to stand on a stage in the spotlight and take in an applause and have an encore," she adds. "That's how I really feel, and I just want other people to feel that way too." As for how she would describe the line in three words? Menzel tells PEOPLE, "I would say: comfort, timeless and honest." RELATED VIDEO: 'Frozen 2' Star Idina Menzel Stops Traffic in NYC for a Festive Tradition According to Menzel, she is "the best in my work when I am authentic to who I am." Because of that, the star says, "I knew that I didn't want to just put my name on something," which is what prompted her to become involved in the behind-the-scenes process of creating her line. "I needed to learn this business and understand it, and collaborate with people that really knew what they were doing that could help me really make this vision come to life," Menzel explains. "I didn't want to bulls--- people." Encore by Idina Menzel Partnering with QVC to sell the line "felt organic" the Glee alum notes, adding that the platform allows her to "talk directly to my consumer," which she says, "is probably my strength." "I think I've learned, as a performer, I'm really good at sort of being vulnerable and real with people," she shares. "Trying to connect with people, it's what I do for a living." Close