• UK and U.S. retailers snap up the collection

  • Curvy TV star hits back at Twitter trolls that called her a whale

  • Toyboy Arg says he loves her fuller figure

  • Blonde defends her 'showmance' with co-star

  • Range set to make 1million for the size 18 star

By Toni Jones

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Today TOWIE star Gemma Collins hit back at the haters as she launches her debut fashion collection.

Often criticised for being overweight the size 18 blonde will be having the last laugh as her designs, including the 35 draped 'Essex' dress, a drop-hemmed 'Zanzibar' tunic top and 65 Versace inspired maxi dress named Rome, are set to make the reality star from Romford over 1million.

The fifty piece collection,which caters for size 14-22 and launches today on her own website, has already been snapped up by retailers in the U.S. and the UK.

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Built for curves: The 35 Essex dress features clever draping around the arms and stomach and the 65 Rome maxi dress features straps wide enough to cover sturdy bra straps

Scallop hem: the 75 Holland dress

Scallop hem: the 75 Holland dress

Pink lady: In the 35 Los Angeles tunic top

Pink lady: In the 35 Los Angeles tunic top

Monochrome: The 35 Zanzibar waterfall jacket

Monochrome: The 35 Zanzibar waterfall jacket

 In an interview to celebrate the launch this weekend fashion mad Gemma describes how being a success is the best way to hit back at the bullies and why her frustration at the British high street led to her creating her own clothes.

Since first appearing in the reality show Gemma has been subject to relentless online abuse from people about her size, with nicknames including whale, monster and a fatty being thrown at her by vicious and mostly anonymous tweeters.

But the voluptuous reality star is not worried about what the Twitter trolls say.

She says: 'It makes me laugh to think people take the mick out of my size, but I’ve made being larger actually very profitable. On top of that I’ve met the man of my dreams. As far as I’m concerned that’s enough to answer any critics... frankly, they can kiss my a***!'

Excited: The Romford blonde's plus-sized range launches on Wednesday

Excited: The Romford blonde's plus-sized range launches on Wednesday

Fed up of the shapeless, ugly clothes that are on offer for women of a certain size the bubbly blonde decided she wanted to help larger women in the same position as her if she ever got the opportunity.

'Like all Essex girls I like to look glam and sexy at the weekend. Just because I’m a bigger girl doesn’t mean I don’t want to look my best.

'I always promised myself if I was in the position to help larger ladies I would. And now I have. With this collection, I’ve worked with a great team. I helped to draw the designs, picked the fabrics, made decisions about the colours and I couldn’t be prouder.'


Not a 'showmance': Gemma says her relationship with co-star Arg is the real thing

Not a 'showmance': Gemma says her relationship with co-star Arg is the real thing

Sunbathing in 'Marbs': The couple tweeted pictures of themselves on their first romantic holiday

Sunbathing in 'Marbs': The couple tweeted pictures of themselves on their first romantic holiday

The man of her dreams that she mentions is her co-star and new toyboy 24-year-old James ‘Arg’ Argent.

After being friends for years the pair started dating a few weeks ago and have just returned from their first couples holiday - in Marbella of course.

They are inseparable, spending hours at each others' houses and often pictured kissing and cuddling at events.

This weekend they were pictured falling out of Essex hot spot Faces night club together with gentlemanly Arg propping up a rather tipsy Gemma and tweeting: 'My poor @missgemcollins bit 2 much 2 drink tonight! Iv got 2 act my age instead of a 18 year old that i usually act like and look after her!'

Gemma wooed food lover Arg - who also struggles with his weight - by topping up the bread basked on their first date.

Toy boy: At 24 Arg is seven years younger than cougar Gemma

Toy boy: At 24 Arg is seven years younger than cougar Gemma

'He’s good looking, a bit bigger and loves his food. We just get on so well and this is no ‘showmance’ just for TV. We’re not calling ourselves ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend’ but I’m hoping that’s the way it’s heading.'

So far so showbiz, but life hasn't always been sweet for this glamorous Essex girl.

Gemma puts her weight issues down to early heartbreak and the subsequent loss of her unborn baby.

Before a significant break-up in her early 20s she was petite size 10, but losing her boyfriend and her baby meant that she turned to comfort eating and within a year had piled on five stone tipping the scales at 16st and ballooning to a size 22.

Doctors also told her that she had an insulin problem which would make it hard to maintain a healthy weight.

On the town: Wearing a 45 print dress mini dress from M&S on a night out in Faces

On the town: Wearing a 45 print dress mini dress from M&S on a night out in Faces

Hometime: Arg takes the lead - and Gemma's handbag - after a heavy night in Essex

Hometime: Arg takes the lead - and Gemma's handbag - after a heavy night in Essex

Since then Gemma’s battle with her waistline has been well publicised and stints with personal trainers and in various boot camps meant that she has continued to yo-yo between size 14 and 18.

But the new romance, and a blossoming career in fashion means that she is finally happy in her own skin, and when sales from the new collection come rolling in her trademark grin will be getting even wider.

Not bad for a former car sales woman from Romford.

The Gemma Collins Collection is available from Wednesday from www.gemmacollinsofficial.com

Getting physical: In lycra to support Cancer Research UK's night-time walking marathon Shine.

Getting physical: In lycra to support Cancer Research UK's night-time walking marathon Shine.

VIDEO: Gemma opens up about TOWIE, pie and mash, and new boyfriend Arg... 


Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Those pictures of Gemma modelling her clothes on the website are heavily photoshopped! Very misleading.

I agree with something Billy Connolly said a few years back - black leggings should carry a warning on them for big ladies that says "these will make you look even fatter". I wore them when I was a size 10/12, but there is no way I would wear them at my current size 16. I see a lot of girls around here who are about a size 20 plus and it makes me cringe when they are in tight leggings and loud tops. Even overweight American tourists don't look as bad as this.

Danni's collection v's Gemma's.........errrrmmmm.....no contest!!!

Well done to this beautiful curvy girl. She has the forsight to use her fame too her advantage, and find a future when the TV series ends! If only more of these '15 minute' celebrities could do the same!

Is that it? very tattyand outdated . And you think you will sell a million quids worth, not in my life time love.

Why only up to a size 22? What's wrong with making them in a 24, 26, 28 etc?

Its a rip off! With barely anything to choose from, quite disappointed!

The black dress and the pink tunic top look fab. Good luck to her.

They look like something you could pick up at Primark.

Bit pricey!!!

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