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Designer Melissa Pellone is a force. She is not only beautiful but immensely talented, driven and knows what she wants. The Spring 2025 collection is gorgeous and versatile! Her designs have always turned heads and Melissa continues to evolve into a amazing designer who envisions what she wants to present to her audience.
Melissa Pellone is a 17-time official Fashion Week designer and the creator of the Pellone Collection showcased most recently at NY Fashion Week for the upcoming SS25 season. Pellone Collection has become a must-have brand for celebrities, especially with its custom designs for awards season, such as the Emmy’s and, more recently, the CMT awards covered by WWD Women’s Wear Daily. The designer collection consists of special-occasion dresses and separates that blend timeless elegance with fresh and modern design for those who want to dress to impress and truly stand out with limited and unique styles. After designing for major corporate brands such as GUESS? Marciano,and Lucky brand, Pellone launched her line 7 years ago on the runway, after being discovered at LA Fashion Week wearing her own design on the red carpet. The collection can be found in Designer boutiques across the US, & online on melissapellone.com Pellone Collection is 100% made in Los Angeles, California using the most beautiful and high quality materials and fabrics which Melissa hand selects herself.
Creative and ambitiously driven from a young age, native New Yorker Melissa Pellone traded life in The Big Apple for the sunshine of Southern California to pursue her dreams in Fashion.
Establishing her love of design early on after attending Parsons, the New School of Design, as a 15-year-old academy student and later becoming a graduate of FIDM at 20, Melissa applies the energetic and chic classy style from her New York roots paired with her love of California and old Hollywood glamour to create innovative ready-to-wear for the modern, contemporary woman. I have always been attracted to her designs.
Gemma Magazine recently had the opportunity to attend her LAFW 2024 show featuring her Spring 25 collection Powered by Art Hearts Fashion and it did not disappoint. It is fun, flirty, feminine and sexy (all at once). She hand-selected the most beautiful and high-quality materials and fabrics herself to produce one-of-a-kind designer looks. She has evolved immensely as an artist and it shows in her designs. "I designed the show to show my range, from ready-to-wear to custom gowns and pieces made by hand," said Melissa. The color story starts bold and bright and later transitions to a black and white group at the end, with a unique piece as the finale highlighting her custom design business. The last piece is something Melissa has never shown before but does create for particular clients, so she was excited to show a glimpse of that side of her brand that most people haven't seen yet!
What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
I was inspired to become a fashion designer after realizing that fashion is a unique self-expression and incredibly transformative form. Putting on the right outfit can bring out confidence and make someone feel beautiful, and I love this design aspect.
You attended Parsons when you were fifteen and graduated from FIDM at 20. Please expand.
Growing up in New York, we were not far from the city. As a freshman in high school, I knew I was interested in fashion, so I started creating my portfolio. Parsons (The New School) had a pre-college academy program, and I attended it on Saturdays, building up my portfolio. At 17, I graduated and wanted to participate in college away, and FIDM was the furthest place I could go! I attended their Debut Fashion Show and did a tour, and I fell in love with the campus and the weather in Los Angeles. Two weeks after my high school graduation I was sitting in my first class in college, and I loved the program, so I moved pretty quickly through not taking any semesters off.
How would you describe your brand?
My brand embodies the essence of modern elegance, where every design tells a story of sophistication and individuality. Crafted with attention to every stitch, the collection celebrates refined aesthetics and versatility. Each dress exudes a sense of freedom and grace, from structured cuts to soft, flowing fabrics. With various styles that cater to different moods and moments, the collection truly reflects the woman who embraces comfort and luxury in her everyday life.
I am incredibly inspired by fabric and always look for the highest quality and latest design. I love to use the most beautiful fabrics that I can find, and I love everything from sheer fabrics to the most beautiful painterly prints and three-dimensional flowers to ultra-glam sequins or sparkles. I also use very soft, comfortable linings, so not only do my customers love the way they look in their outfits, but they also love the way they feel in them, too. (Melissa Pellone)
What are you inspired by?
I am incredibly inspired by fabric and always look for the highest quality and latest design. I love to use the most beautiful fabrics that I can find, and I love everything from sheer fabrics to the most beautiful painterly prints and three-dimensional flowers to ultra-glam sequins or sparkles. I also use very soft, comfortable linings, so not only do my customers love the way they look in their outfits, but they also love the way they feel in them, too.
Are you attracted to trends and how do you incorporate them into your work?
I am always absorbing what is happening around me, and naturally, I pick up emerging trends. Living in Los Angeles, trends begin here. I've been in the fashion industry for 15 years, but I also have connections to music, entertainment, and the arts, and many trends begin there in addition to fashion. I incorporate some influences, but my brand will always be designed to be timeless and transcend trends while still being modern and fresh.
How would you describe LA style?
LA style, to me, is anything that goes. If you rock it with confidence, you can pull it off here!
What do you love most about being a fashion designer?
What I love about being a fashion designer is the entire creative process, from the sketch to the show, all the way through to the boutique it hangs in, to the woman who wears it. It's a unique and different career, with a lot of creativity, always interesting and special. No day is ever the same, and that is fabulous!
Can you give us any hints about your LAFW Collection?
My LA Fashion Week show will showcase my Spring 2025 collection, with select pieces being more immediately available. I designed the show to show my range, from ready-to-wear to custom gowns and pieces made by hand. The color story starts bold and bright and later transitions to a black and white group at the end, with a unique piece as the finale highlighting my custom design business. The last piece is something I have never shown before but does create for particular clients, so I am excited to show a glimpse of that side of my brand that most people haven't seen yet!
You can follow Melissa Pellone and all of her beautiful creations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissapellone/ or https://www.instagram.com/pellonedesignercollection/her aswell as her website: melissapellonecollection.com
All photos are by Ethan Ingram: https://www.instagram.com/ethaningramphoto/
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