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photo Elsa Dillon
Melanie decided it was time to do something for herself, so she
studied cinemagraphic make-up design while working as a practice
manager for an optometrist. After five years, she left her fulltime
work and fully immersed herself in a world of high fashion,
gathering feathers and handmade lace.
“I’ve always had the freedom to be creative,” she says. “Having a
single parent was difficult, but I knew this was what I always wanted
to do. Just sometimes life gets in the way.
“I got married young and after my divorce I moved to the Coast
and I thought ‘this is it, I’m 30 and this is all about me now’. I came
down to the Coast, studied and worked in eyewear styling, travelling
the country. Then I made the jump. I just did it and here I am.”
Melanie’s stunning creations can now be found on the heads and
shoulders of some of Melbourne’s wealthiest women, fashion
bloggers and style editors. Melanie’s most recent celebrity client
was the Coast’s own Jo Beth Taylor, who commissioned a
headpiece for her African wedding.
“Jo Beth wanted to use a range of local suppliers from the Coast,
which I think is amazing because there are lots of creatives here
and I don’t think that is recognised enough,” Melanie says.
Melanie says she has always loved the combination of fine,
handmade lace and gathered feathers. “I love anything of quality.
I love French lace. A friend of mine has a farm up north so I’m
able to use organic, naturally shed feathers.”
When asked where she wants to be in a year’s time, Melanie says
she simply wants more people to enjoy the feeling of wearing
something utterly fabulous. Helping spread the word is San
Francisco-based style editor Doris Hobbs of Rich in Love, who
chose to wear one of Melanie’s designs when she covered New
York Fashion Week in early September. Melanie will also exhibit
at the Sunshine Coast International Fashion Festival in October
this year, where she hopes to inspire even more local women.
Just a few more feathers in the cap of this talented Sunshine
Coast local.
melaniejdesigns.com
AS UNIQUE
as you are.
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We know that what we do is something very special because there
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See the full collection in-store or online .
11 Ballantyne Ct, Glenview QLD 4553
(07) 5494 5400
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