 Designing for Oprah and now women everywhere
By Iman A. Jefferson
Every woman has her favorite article of clothing. For some it’s skirts; for others, it’s a great pair of jeans. For Connecticut-bred Melanie Nicole Clark, it was halters. “I had sketched halter tops for years, and a client of mine suggested that I create my own patterns,” says Clark, who learned the basics of sewing as a child from her mother and grandmother. “After meeting with my first patternmaker, I realized I had an intuitive ability. Once I began creating my patterns, it started taking off from there.”
That epiphany didn’t translate into a sale until nearly 15 years later. After graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in English, Clark dabbled in many fields, working at the Smithsonian Institute and at various corporations in D.C. In 1998, she relocated to Chicago for another corporate job and started designing clothes for clients on the side. It wasn’t until 2002 that she decided to work exclusively on her own line of dresses, tops (yes, halters), and skirts.
The result was Clark’s label, Melanienicole, which offers a point of view that cutting-edge classic trumps pop trendy. Often compared to Diane von Furstenberg and Donna Karan for her style aesthetic, Clark, 38, embraces a rich color palette and curve-hugging jersey knits and silks that flatter any shape. Ask her to describe the woman who wears her clothes and she’ll confidently say, “There really isn’t any particular woman who wears my clothes. What I’ve discovered over time is that the collection speaks for every woman. Women from the age of 20 to the age of 60 buy my clothes.”
That is supported by Clark’s diverse list of celebrity clients, including Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, Jennifer Hudson, and neo-soul duo Les Nubians. “It’s an ultrafeminine clothing line devoted to comfort, sex appeal, and elegance at the same time,” Clark explains. “All women want that.”
From her Bronzeville showroom, Clark is preparing to take the next step, which means having her line sold in major department stores. She’s also organizing a seven-city series of private selling events. U
Melanienicole is currently sold online at SecondyCityStyle.com and by appointment at her showroom. To see more of Melanie Nicole Clark’s collection, visit her Web site, melanienicole.com.
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