Thrive Episode 88 - Fashion, Design and Business With Melina Cortes Nmili

International designer Melina Cortes-Nmili’s road to fashion has been anything but conventional. Part entrepreneur and part designer, Melina has never taken the standard path. Frustrated with the frantic, flash-in-a-pan pursuit of the latest fads, Melina had a vision for a new take on a timeless concept - “beauty that transcends the trend.” Said in a simpler way, she believes in a luxurious, classic, yet contemporary design that always looks beautiful, and never goes out of style.

Born and bred in the vibrant Dominican Republic countryside, Melina embraces the diversity of colors, textures and patterns of her childhood. From her design studio in Boston, lalla bee’s structured silhouettes, colorful palettes, and painstaking attention to detail reflect the values and struggles of her past. Rather than following the latest trends in fashion, Melina’s designs are intentionally timeless. Melina's designs are ethically made from quality fabrics sourced directly from the finest factories across the U.S. and Europe.

Like the self-made women who raised Melina, lalla bee’s dresses tell a story of strength, effortless beauty, and unwavering confidence.

In this episode:

06:30 – How did Melina become an authentic designer?

09:00 – How do you achieve a dream that might be too far away for you?

14:00 – How does Melina get inspiration for her designs?

16:00 – Does Melina bring her heritage into her designs?

17:00 – What is Melina’s process in creating her collections?

19:30 – How does Melina source her fabrics?

20:30 – How do you develop your own set of style?

22:30 – What is Melina’s brand vision?

25:00 – How can you find out about designers in the industry?

27:00 – What is the process if you want to get a custom-made outfit?

29:00 – What is the most powerful thing for Melina’s brand?

30:00 – Who is Melina’s ideal client?

You can get a hold of Melina at lallabee.com and at Instagram @lalla.bee.