Kerry Washington helps launch "Scandal" collection

Kerry Washington wants women to look as powerful and put together as her TV persona.

Fashion retailer The Limited has teamed up with the "Scandal" star and the show's costume designer, Lyn Paolo, for a collection inspired by the ABC drama, which premieres its fourth season on Thursday.

Washington appeared at a launch party for the line on Monday, where she said it was important for clothing to be accessible.

"There are women who can literally afford to dress like Olivia Pope, and I don't know how, because those clothes are very, very, very expensive," she said with a laugh.

"There are other people who can't, and there is no reason why only the people who make a certain amount of money should have access to this feminine power in fashion, you know? This line is created so that everybody can find their own inner gladiator. That every woman can be powerful and sexy, brilliant and smart and gorgeous, fashion-forward. You know, it's just there's no limit to who you can be."

There are 42 looks in the Scandal Collection, including tops, jackets, outerwear and, of course, pants, because, as Washington says: "Olivia Pope wears the pants both literally and figuratively."

Last year, Paolo, with Washington's input, created window displays for Saks Fifth Avenue by dressing its mannequins like "Scandal" characters. The displays featured clothing by high-end designers such as Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Donna Karan and Carolina Herrera.

The 37-year-old actress wasn't as keen to talk about a New York Times article by TV critic Alessandra Stanley, where the writer referred to "Scandal" producer Shonda Rhimes as an "angry black woman." On Monday, the newspaper's public editor called the article "astonishingly tone-deaf and out of touch."

"I really think it's important to focus on all the good things that are going on," she said. "It's such an honor to be a part of an historic Thursday-night lineup and to be in one of her three shows, to be part of her magical (production company), Shondaland."

Rhimes is also the producer of "How to Get Away With Murder" and "Grey's Anatomy."