Max & Chloe: When did you know you wanted to be a designer?
Melinda Maria: I have been designing jewelry since I was very little, about 9. I have always suffered an extreme case of “Shiny Object Syndrome”. I have always designed.
MC: What inspires you?
MM: Everything can. I try to walk through my days with my eyes open. It can be a chair, graffiti, animal fur, a beautiful sunset. Those are just a few things that have been an inspiration lately.
MC: If you could move anywhere in the world where would it be?
MM:Right where I am, your home is where your friends and family are. But I also happen to love my French Provincial home we live in. It is a peaceful sanctuary and we always feel like we are on vacation.
MC: What do you do for fun?
MM: Hanging with my husband and son is my favorite thing to do, no matter if we are just playing in the grass in our backyard or doing arts and crafts.
MC: Who is your ideal customer?
MM: What I love about my line and my customers is it is such a huge demographic. Julia roberts who is old hollywood and her niece Emma who is a teenager both wear my line and often the same pieces but they might mix and stack things differently.
MC: If you can give a young designer a piece of advice what would it be?
MM: The best compliment I can receive from someone about my collections is that they know it is a Melinda Maria piece and that it is recognized by the design elements of the product. My advice to young designers is the importance of having a strong creative voice in what your style is and what your brand is. So make sure you have clear direction, I see a lot of designers knocking off other designers and I know in a second who they are taking their “inspiration” from. Also, try to find someone in the very beginning to have running the business side of the company. You can have the best designs in the world but if you don’t know how to run a business it will sink.
MC: How would you describe your personal style?
MM: Chic, sophisticated and comfortable.
MC: What trends are you appreciating right now?
MM: I love the layered look, in jewelry and clothing. There is nothing more beautiful than an arm full of bangles!
Shop Melinda Maria jewelry at Max & Chloe.
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