Kerry Washington on the "Scandal" "roller coaster" and domestic violence awareness

"Scandal" fans already pining over Olivia Pope's wardrobe will want to keep their eyes peeled when this week's episode airs Thursday night -- it's the first time star Kerry Washington's character will be wearing clothes from The Limited line she helped design that's inspired by the show.

"The clothes will make their debut on the show tonight and you'll get to see more and more of the line throughout the season," Washington told CBS News, adding that one of her favorite pieces from the collection -- a "really beautiful cape that I love, love, love, love" -- will make an appearance in the coming weeks.

Another of the actress' favorite Olivia-approved items is the Prada handbags her character carries on the hit ABC drama -- the "beautiful and classic" carryalls she uses while navigating D.C. intrigue and cozying up to Jake or Fitz.

But Washington was eager to talk about fashion for another reason, too -- she's designed a handbag for the Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse campaign, which raises awareness for domestic violence, and, specifically, financial abuse.

"I was really struck by how prevalent it is, that most times finances are a weapon of choice for abusers and by the real fact that when you give women the tools to stand on their own financially they're able to not only walk away from abusive relationships but stay away," she said. "When you're having your credit destroyed, or your employment in danger, your debt run up -- all these things contribute to you having to stay. So just raising the awareness around it, giving people the language to be able to talk about it and do something about it, I think is really important."

The purse is symbolic (purple is the color of domestic violence awareness, and a woman's purse, as Olivia Pope would know, is where she carries her power) and Washington made sure to incorporate that into her design. It's a clutch, but not a tiny evening clutch -- if it was going to symbolize a woman's financial life, she explained, it had to fit a wallet, phone, keys and everything else anyone would need to have with them all day. There's a side handle strap "because I wanted for the bag to be something that felt really secure, so you could hold it close," she added, and a mix of edgy details like leather and classic elements like tweed, "so it can appeal to lots of different kinds of women because it's such a universal issue."

It's an issue that's part of the "Scandal" fabric, too -- one of the "Gladiators," Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield), came to Olivia Pope & Associates after Olivia helped her break away from an abusive marriage, a storyline that she says resonated with viewers.

"I'm grateful to work for a woman -- work for ["Scandal" creator] Shonda Rhimes -- who is not afraid to deal with real issues in her work," Washington said. "I think anytime you have a cultural, or pop culture moment to do something that resonates with people emotionally it's such a beautiful opportunity, whether it's a show or a handbag to give people a way to be able to talk about difficult issues, it's a real gift."

Asked about what's coming up on "Scandal," Washington stayed tight-lipped -- but what she did say will please the fans of the show's jaw-dropping twists and turns.

"It continues to be a total roller coaster ride, for sure," she said.

For more information on the Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse campaign and how to get involved, watch Washington's PSA below or visit the website.