On the mend

Well hello Lovelies!  It's been quite the busy past couple of weeks for me. I can't believe Christmas is around the corner! I'm so glad I finished my Christmas shopping in October. (Lol)  As you can tell, I am not a procrastinator.  If I don't get to something it's because I'm dead or I already have 500 things going on.

With that said, I've finally started working on new pieces. My new business plan is one I've come to terms with after taking the past 6 months off.  Unlike some of my dear friends whom are clothing designers, I have two little boys and a husband. Therefore, devoting my life to my brand is really not an option for me.  You know that saying, "you can't have your cake and eat it too?" (Umm..wait, that just didn't make any sense to me) Anyways you get the point of that saying, well I'm here to tell you, you can! In other words you may not be able to eat your cake right at that moment you want to but you can lick the frosting while you wait for that moment to come. Is this making any sense at all?!  Well I've said it once and I'll say it again, my family comes before my career. I will be "licking the frosting" until my time comes.  I wouldn't want to miss a moment of raising my sons.

So come Spring 2014, I will be releasing one of a kind pieces in different sizes, colors, fabrics and textures. Not a collection but more of my creativity gone wild. Which in all honesty, I feel collections sometimes limit my creativity all together. I've put aside any plans to wholesale at this time, therefore price points will be low for designer originals. So God Willing, this Spring I'll be hosting pop up shops all around town with all the new stuff. I'll be posting previews till then on Instagram. 

Hope your week is inspirational, Lovelies!

Melissa Velia - FALL 2013 COLLECTION Look Book

 

Introducing my Fall 2013 collection!  Although it is not the entire collection, it is the majority of it in it's prints and details.  I decided not to share the entire collection this early in the season due to those who might be "inspired" by my collection.  Believe it or not, but I've already had issues with things like that in the past.  My collections are never inspired by other designers but inspired by the crazy world inside my head. I decided to shoot this collection with a vintage filter and an off-lighting to bring out my inspiration in the collection.  Instead of doing a fashion show this season, I choose to do a look book and a collection video which is scheduled to be released late this summer.  So without further ado, here the Fall 2013 Look Book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big thank you to my amazing team, 

 Models:  Melina Perez and Christa Marlei

Make-Up Artist:  Amber Laws

 *If your a fashion blogger or fashion media and would like to share the pictures above, you are welcome to do so as long as you send a link to the post/ article to contact@melissavelia.com and we will be sure to send you a thank you gift from the Fall accessories collection late this summer.

Xo.

All Around Inspiration

About three weeks ago, I went scuba diving.  Wow! Just the thought of that freaks me out! In all honestly, I ventured as far as the Aquarium Of The Pacific in Long Beach, CA. What can I say, I'm afraid of the ocean and after visiting the Aquarium....I think I have a right to BE!

People always ask me as a designer what inspires my work and I always tell them, it's everything around me.  All around inspiration is what this world has created. Do you ever look around your daily life and wonder what that something reminds you of or could be?  Well here's not only my first post in COLOR but how my crazy inspiration works!

IS: an aquarium. I SEE: beautiful chiffon print

IS: sea grass (so I think). I SEE: fringe on a summer top.

IS: seahorse in aquarium. I SEE: an outfit with these color combinations.

IS: shark. I SEE: a thin belt for a chocolate Fall dress

IS: sea urchin. I SEE: Lady Gaga

IS: sea horse. I SEE: a handbag

IS: sea creatures. I SEE: a top with detail shoulders

IS: me. I SEE: ?

Interviewing the Dreamer - the Dancer

Veronica Gutierrez

Welcome to my very first Interviewing the Dreamer.  I decided to start this blog series to inspire others to dream the dream.  That anything is possible with ambition, commitment and faith.  So please meet my first Dreamer, a Dancer.

When did you start dancing?

 I started dancing when I was two or three but I really started to get into it when I was 12.

Have you always wanted to be a dancer? 

Yes, always! I think one way or another I will be doing something with dance.

Have you had training? Where? And how long?

Yes I've being training since I was 3 at Los Angeles Ballet Academy with my mother Andrea Paris-Gutierrez

What's your biggest dream? 

I think my biggest dream is to get recognized for my talents and not just do what I love but excel at it.

How do you plan on reaching your dream? 

By taking every opportunity I have head on and getting lots of experience. This is what I will need to prosper.

What's the hardest thing about dancing? 

I think the hardest thing is adapting to a different choreographers style and making sure that you are giving them what they need in the dance.

What's your favorite dance? 

Probably Jazz Funk. I love the contrast in movement the style allows.

What inspires you? 

People who are determined and respected. People who get things because they work hard and deserve it.

Who the one person who supports you the most? And what does it mean to you? 

I get a lot of support from my father who is always there for me, helps me out at home and is always there with his camera.  My brother too, but my mom supports me the most. Not just by being a mother that believes in her child, but also my dance teacher who believes in her student. It means so much to me to have people believing in what I want to do by my side.

Who's your favorite dancer? 

Well I'd have to say my brother Dylan Gutierrez. He has only danced with the Joffery Ballet for 2 years and is already getting lots of recognition for his beautiful  technique and performance quality. He makes me so proud and I aspire to be like him in my work.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Well in 5 years I will be 21, so hopefully Ill be starting my career with a steady job in a musical.

What would you tell your 5 year old self about your future? 

I would probably tell myself to pay more attention. My mom took me to so many shows and I mostly fell asleep.

And there you have it, inspiration.  Come see Veronica perform live at my upcoming fashion show on March 12th, as she opens for my Fall 2011 collection.

Show info. and RSVP:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=142351942496230

Flats

Good day!  Just another busy week for me in my world.  Deadlines hanging over my head like Bobby Trendy, waiting to give me a style make-over.  Stressed, to say the least.  Anyways, I thought I'd share with you what I'm working on right now, my flats.  No darlins, I did not become a shoe designer overnight, at least not yet (wink). And if I was, flats would be far from my list. 

Line Sheets

Flats or technical drawings, are usually the very first thing store buyers see when looking to purchase inventory for their stores.  The flats are shown on line sheets (shown above), with all the information buyers might need to make their choices.  Flats and line sheets, have come a long way from when I was in college.  Yet, I personally like to hold on to the more traditional works in general.  As much as I would love to show you my current season, Fall 2011. I mustn't.  Instead, I can share with you my inspiration for the collection and show you my flats from the last season.  Thanks for reading loves!

Fall 2011 "Black Swan, meets Tim Burton and Helena" 

(see it all March 12th, 2011 during LAFW in Hollywood, CA)

Flat with details, Spring 2011 - Chiffon Tunic

Spring 2011 - Chiffon Tunic

A simple flat, Spring 2011 - Sequins Tank

Spring 2011 - Sequins Tank

XOXO