Location: Philly
Personal Style in 3 words: Classy, Chic and Edgy
Favorite Designer(s): Melody Ehsani, Rachel Roy, Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior
Must-Have Accessory: Earrings. In high school, that was my pet peeve – girls that didn’t wear earrings. Even if it’s just studs, that’s my must-have.
When did you know you wanted to become a designer?
When I was younger, I was always doing things with my grandmother. My grandmother was an artist. I was always helping her do things. We would go to craft classes. But my real start was in college. I would do things as a hobby, but then I started making things and people liked them. So when I graduated I started the actual line.
My name is Melanie and Marie, that’s my mom’s middle name. My mom has always been the one helping me all the way through and I wanted to incorporate her in it somehow. And I thought it was catchy and cute.
Yes I’ve always been known to have some type of something on that everyone would comment on. So it’s always been my thing. From the jewelry I have collected, not even the ones that I make, I have bins and bins of things under my bed and in other rooms – just full of accessories.
What inspires your creativity?
I could go outside and see something. If I see a flower and it has pretty colors I will want to do something with those colors. If I see someone wearing something out and about. If i see a girl and I think she looks cute, I will think of accessories she should be wearing. Life, being out and about and seeing and hearing things.
I got an email from a random person in another country saying how much they liked my stuff and that everyone complimented them each time they wore my stuff. They just felt like I inspired them to go out and do something. They had things that they wanted to do but were scared to do it, but me being young and being able to follow my dreams, they just felt inspired and I thought that was really nice. That was about a year in.
Oh no I do other things! It’s not just all Melanie Marie. My partner and I own a boutique in Philadelphia. He’s actually my boyfriend. We own a boutique nearby Temple University’s campus. We opened on January 21st. It’s called Greek & Life Boutique.
Shoes! I love shoes and I want to start making them, so that would be the next thing I want to do. When I originally started Melanie Marie, it was just handbags but they are really expensive to manufacture and accessories I really like so much more. So I put handbags to the side, but the next thing will be shoes!
Three pieces of advice for aspiring accessory designers?
1. Stay positive. There are so many people that will say “oh you shouldn’t do that, it’s not gonna work.”
It’s not that much because I switched to a clutch yesterday. I have my wallet, lipstick, lipgloss, eyeliner, nail filer, cell phone, phone charger and a Melanie Marie bracelet. I have some make up, credit card. It’s pretty light. Surprisingly light!
Good interview. Like her “arm party”, and I sooo agree with her about wearing earrings. I also think its a must, along with lipgloss/ lipstick. Her earrings are cute and I will have to check out her site. I Love and look for unique pieces.
great interview.. Those purses are cute.. My fav is the silver grayish one.. Xo-Jewel
Melanie Marie use to work at Burger King , i was her boss , lol , Now she’s selling cheap jewelry……….LMFAOOOO