{Be Styled} An Interview with Melinda from Melinda Rose Design

I’m very excited to share with you all a little interview I conducted recently with a personal friend of mine–Melinda of Melinda Rose Design! She’s quickly becoming a creative force to be reckoned with in the world of bridal fashion. She owns an Etsy shop and has shipped her handmade, custom bridal veils all over the world! I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with her on a recent styled shoot for some of her latest designs, and walked away with such an appreciation for such delicate and special apparel. I want to sincerely thank Melinda for answering my questions (in bold) below. She is so transparent in her responses; read on and be inspired!

Who (or what) is your biggest style inspiration?

My biggest style icons are Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss and Coco Chanel.  I love the kind of woman who has an effortless kind of style, always looks amazing but never overdone! I like to call this look Euro Chic, an effortless but ultra-feminine feel, very natural and an approachable confidence that she knows who she is and what she wants. Jen and Kate are always pairing classic styles (over and over) in a new and fresh way that is so flattering! They make it look so easy!! And Coco is the inventor of all of the classics we wear today. Pretty much anything you can think of that we wear can be traced back to Coco. I do like to call her Coco because to me Chanel is a brand but Coco is a person and the brilliant designer behind it all.

Photo courtesy of Melinda Rose Design

Photo courtesy of Melinda Rose Design

Who is your favorite designer?

Coco Chanel is my absolute favorite designer.  She is responsible for all of the comfortable and flattering clothing we get to wear as women: jeans, the woman’s business suit, the famous little black dress to name a few. Black was not an acceptable color that was worn before Coco except to funerals. Seriously though, who doesn’t look good in black?! She was all about simplicity and accentuating the woman’s natural beauty and figure. She hated designs that were highly overdone and despised Christian Dior. Her designs were in response to the highly uncomfortable and ostentatious clothing and hats that designers of her time were pumping out. Coco wanted to free the woman from the mounds of fabric and highlight her natural beauty allowing her to be comfortable in her clothing. She was a strong and confident woman and was willing to cross those barriers of social properness and structure to bring about astronomical changes to the women’s wardrobe. I totally admire not only her classic style but her mission and purpose in design. Why should we have to be uncomfortable to look beautiful?

This is truly a hard question and honestly I’m not sure I have a favorite as I don’t like to limit myself to specific materials in the creative process. Though if I have to choose one I would say tulle and lots of it! Tulle is so delicate and feminine. Tulle completes the bridal look so often. I hear so many brides say that they finally feel like a bride when they receive their veil. There is only one more material I like more than tulle and that is silk tulle! It’s even more delicate and sheer than bridal tulle.

Photo courtesy  of Melinda Rose Design and Atlas and Elia Photography

Define your personal style. 

My personal style is more of an eclectic, simple and comfortable style. I don’t really attribute to any one style because once again it confines the creative process. Though some rules of thumb for me are: Is it comfortable? Does it look really good on me or do I like looking at it (a lot)? Will I like it for a long time (investment)?  If it doesn’t fit these categories then I don’t buy it!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I hope to see my company grow into a reputable and established brand known nationally and internationally.

Please be sure and visit Melinda’s Etsy shop here to view her latest collection!