Mar
14
*Exclusive Interviews:: ‘Melody Ehsani’
POSTED BY Shanteé @ 09:34pm
FILED UNDER: F101 News, Fashion, Interview | Tags: F101 Interview, Melody Ehsani, Spotlight Designers
FILED UNDER: F101 News, Fashion, Interview | Tags: F101 Interview, Melody Ehsani, Spotlight Designers
Company Name: Melody Ehsani Design Corp.
Date Originated: January 2007
1. Who inspired or pursuaded you to start designing?…And at what age did it all begin?
Design has always been inherent in me, so I have always designed things, but while applying to law school I spoke to a mentor /teacher of mine and she was the first one that was able to mirror my reality back to me in a way that made sense. So, eventually I dropped law and started looking into design as a career option when I was 23 years old.
2. You met Christian Louboutin, who I can bet is one of your role models. How was that experience?
He is definitely an inspiration to me. He was able to basically take stripper/fetish shoes and cross them over into high-end, well-made Italian designs…he literally took the streets to Barney’s and he did it in the most beautiful way possible. I admire his aesthetic and his perspective. Meeting him was great and humbling, its always good for me to have people around me who have already made it, it serves as an example to me.
3. I saw Alicia Keys wearing your earrings at the Super Bowl!..Did you scream? — [because I screamed for you!..lol]
Working with all the celebrities has been a blessing. Seeing my designs on national television was very gratifying. I didn’t scream, but I was definitely cheesin’ real big!
….I’ve been lucky enough, thus far, to work with the top of the food chain as far as integrity and kindness go. Even more so, working with the folks that make them who they are on the daily (i.e. stylists, make-up artists, hair stylists, assistants, managers) has also been a blessing.
Working with all the celebrities has been a blessing. Seeing my designs on national television was very gratifying. I didn’t scream, but I was definitely cheesin’ real big!
….I’ve been lucky enough, thus far, to work with the top of the food chain as far as integrity and kindness go. Even more so, working with the folks that make them who they are on the daily (i.e. stylists, make-up artists, hair stylists, assistants, managers) has also been a blessing.
[Top L-R: Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, Dena Cali
Bottom L-R: Vietnam's Next Top Model Cast, Rihanna]
4. So, you sketch your own designs?
Yes.
5. Okay — when did you start your line?
I started a few years after college.
6. Was it a struggle for you breaking into the industry?
I wouldn’t call it a struggle, I feel like that insinuates something negative. Its been very hard work thus far, but I’m happy to do it because it’s what I love. The tests and difficulties I’ve had have all come from my history, and I am no longer my history….so I keep the forward movement alive! Another hard thing is thinking that you can just jump the corporate ladder, when in reality it takes a lot of foundation and infrastructure building…its a very educational and humbling experience — I’m enjoying the ride.
7. How did your friends and family react to you wanting to design, instead of going to law school?
I didn’t get any support from the people that were closest to me. They felt like I was leaving something that was very “stable” for something that was abstract and unstable -- whatever that means. I believe that everyone has a place in the world, and sometimes your position doesn’t exist yet, so it’s your responsibility to create it for yourself and for those that will one day follow. My family has had a hard time understanding that I’m different than they are, so in a lot of ways they can’t see my reality. Most of my friends on the other hand have come around to admiring me for taking the risk, especially the ones who are now miserable in the “safe” routes they took.
8. When did you decide this was the right move to make?
I decided right as I was about to start law school. I had gotten this horrible anxiety attack because my conscience kept telling me that there was something else I needed to explore. So I deferred law school, did some major inner work and resurfaced — signed up for Art school and created my path.
9. So, what’s your next big move?…Are there talks of a ‘Melody Ehsani’ store brewing?
I’m not sure what my next big move is, I’m moving one day at a time. I would love to have a store eventually. I used to own a boutique with a dear friend of mine [Javier Laval] called JOON concept shop, so I know the type of time and dedication it takes, so I really want to wait until the time is right.
10. And, what are your long-term goals for ‘Melody Ehsani Design Corp.’?
My long-term goals are to expand the line into ready-to-wear clothing, a full line of accessories and home items. I also want to establish a more structured organization of my own where I can help young women on their journey of finding who their true selves are, and in turn follow their calling.
My long-term goals are to expand the line into ready-to-wear clothing, a full line of accessories and home items. I also want to establish a more structured organization of my own where I can help young women on their journey of finding who their true selves are, and in turn follow their calling.
..or on myspace at::
www.myspace.com/joonlife
..or my personal page at::
www.myspace.com/melodymelina
[*Thanks MEL, you know you're more than an inspiration to me!*]
