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.
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
Read more stories on:
www.coolbrandshouse.com
www.aroundtheworldin80brands.com
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www.coolbrands.org
Tags: Global Storytelling Campaign, Anouk Pappers, Maarten Schäfer, Around the World in 80 Brands, Around the World, 80 Brands, Around the World in 80 days, CoolBrands Storytelling, Storytelling, CoolBrands, cool storytelling, third party storytelling, creating talk value, storytelling, Melissa, brazilian fashion, shoe brand, Paulo Antonio pedo filho, paulinho filho, Luciana ceccon, Luciana, ceccon, paulinho, filho, marcius, dal bo, marcius dal bo, Melissa shoes, plastic dreams, galeria Melissa soho, galeria Melissa sao Paulo, sao Paulo fashion week, Jason wu, jean paul gaultier, zaha hadid, Melissa academy, melflex, edson matsuo, edson, matsuo, Geneva university of art and design, more than a shoe, design, fashion accessory, oscar freire, new york
Insights from Leaders 
This is great content! It gives a good insight in the different brands. Thanks CoolBrands.
This storytelling is really a great way of transmitting a message! I love the story!
I really like the story! Good job Guys!