Meeting Melissa, the girl from Brazil in New York

We’ve been in New York for a couple of days now and our schedule has been packed with meetings: lunch with international designers, drinks with new contacts and brainstorming sessions with branding experts.

Meeting Melissa in New York – CoolBrands Around the World in 80 Brands

But today we’re having a day off! We’re going to have a stroll through Central Park, have lunch at Dean & Deluca and maybe head to MoMA in the afternoon. “No!” says Anouk as we finish breakfast, “let’s go and see my friend Melissa first, she’s really great, you’ll like her.”

“Ok,” I say as I finish my caffe latte. “I’ve never heard you mention her before. What does she do?”

“I met her several times in São Paulo,” says Anouk. “She’s amazing – you’ll see, very trendy and creative – I guess she’s in her early thirties. She works with creators from all over the world: Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Campana Brothers, even with the architect Zaha Hadid.”

“Wow, that’s a pretty impressive list…” “Yeah, and on top of that she’s just launched her own design academy.” “And so what does she design?”

“You’ll see, you’ll see,” Anouk says with a mysterious little smile as we head out of the hotel. “Last time I saw her, she told me to come and visit her if we ever came to New York, as she was about to move here.”

Anouk pulls out a small map. “She’s down on Greene Street in SoHo – I love that neighbourhood and I think it really suits Melissa’s style as well.”

“Ok, let’s go!” I say as we head down 7th Avenue. “I’m curious to hear her story!”

“I have the feeling she wants to conquer the world,” says Anouk. “First her own gallery on Oscar Freire, the trendiest street in São Paulo; now she’s in New York… I wonder what she’s planning next!”

“Well, I guess we’re about to find out,” I say as we stroll past SoHo’s trendy boutiques and art galleries into Greene Street. “So does she know we’re coming by the way?”

“Yes she does!” Anouk turns to me with a big smile and points at a colourful shop window. “Here we are: Galeria Melissa!”

“Hang on… now I’m confused: is Melissa your friend or is it a brand? Anouk, are you making friends with brands now?”

Anouk laughs. “She’s both: an amazing shoe brand that creates more than just shoes – they’re fashion accessories. She’s a global fashion icon.”

© 2012 CoolBrands – Around the World in 80 Brands

READ MORE STORIES:

  PLASTIC DREAMS – MELISSA – NEW YORK

 MEETING THE CAMPANA BROTHERS IN THEIR ATELIER IN SÃO PAULO

 H.STERN – HOUSE OF DESIGN – ROBERTO STERN

  MEETING GE IN NY – HEALTHYMAGINATION

  A BRAZILIAN SOUL WITH INSPIRATION FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

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