We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melissa Greggs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

I think client appreciation starts from your first Point of Contact. From the first poa I am interested in my clients wants and needs. I am attentive and listens for what they are saying but can’t really verbalize. From Sketches, fabric selection, fittings to delivery, I am always kind. Regardless if I’m working with a business professional, celebrity, or costuming a show, my goal is to be of service, that is key. Honestly I love sending notes and thank you cards as well.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a fashion / costume designer. Currently doing custom design and costume design for the theater. In the process of expanding into a closet near you with my ready -to- wear e-commerce store. I am a proud Houstonian and HBCU graduate from Prairie View A&M University. I receive my bachelors degree in human science with the emphasis and fashion design and marketing. I just received my Masters in 2021 from LIM College in New York.
I am a firm believer that fashion is a lifestyle and we should they are to be different. I take that same thought and apply it into the world of Costume Asst as well.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience is key. When I started designing I was in high school and to me at the time there were no ceilings I could do anything that I put my mind to. As I cultivated my dreams into reality I moved without fear and have been blessed along the way. It’s funny because in school you don’t really get to experience the real world of business and design. As my career was taking off and design my mother ended up getting sick and I had a choice to make work full-time in corporate America and help out where I could or keep flourishing. I chose my family and as much as it hurt and as much as I felt almost as if God was playing a cruel joke on me I had to sacrifice for the woman who is always sacrifice and give to me. As a creative going to corporate America almost felt like I was dying on the inside but I didn’t realize is that a delay is not a no. So I continue to do custom design I continued to design for Socialites around Houston and Atlanta, celebrities, friend , and Sorority sisters. One day in the mist of the storm or battle between corporate world and the creative world I was offered an opportunity to become a costume designer for the Ensemble theater. I never imagined that I would be designing costumes for shows and large casts but God opened the door. My first show was a Soulful Christmas directed by Patdro Harris. In the process of working with him I learned so much. He taught me how to push past the ceilings that I have placed over myself unknowingly. After that the work started flowing. My custom design business and my life as a costume designer were growing. To be honest this journey was not or is not easy. I passed up on a lot of opportunities, cried a lot of nights, yelled at God asking why me or why not me? I had to learn to detach myself from what was going on around me. Lean into God and my craft. I knew that my talents would make room for me. I never gave up and had to juggle an 8-5 with my own dreams. Now looking back I wouldn’t change my choice, I would have changed my outlook. Now doors are opening to paths that only God has ordained.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This past February I attended MAGIC where I had the opportunity to hear The legendary dapper Dan and Elaine Welteroth speak. It felt as if I was attending fashion church, to the point where I was brought to tears. Anywho in that conversation they spoke about “the art of the pivot”. The truth is I want to conquer the fashion industry. I have seen designs that I created in 2006 on the runway now. So there is a moment when I have to ask God “How do we do this? What is your vision?” I know what mine is, I want to be in department stores. I want to keep my personal clients as well all while costuming videos,
Movies, and plays. For me the costume design was my pivot. Realizing that there is more to fashion than just designing,
I had to go back to school to learn more to conduct the pivot correctly. I think we look at pivoting as a failure, but it’s not. A pivot is God changing your instructions on how to get to the finish line. You might have been on a path for years, but the moment you pivot it was the short cut to get you to where you needed to be faster.
With that pivot comes learning to trust yourself. Trusting your abilities and your gifts. Realizing that you have all the tools that you need. Getting quite, loosing friends, focusing , the pivot comes with a lot but is always worth it. Look at Dapper Dan he Mastered the art of the pivot.

Contact Info:

• Website: Jenise Gregg Couture. Com
• Instagram: Jenisegreggcouture
• Facebook: Jenise Gregg Couture
• Linkedin: Melissa Jenise Greggs
• Twitter: Jenisegregg

Image Credits
Jordan Black