Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Ledezma. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I have always loved the arts. Growing up, I was a performer so it only made sense that as an adult I ended up the art institute’s Miami international university of art and design. A university that has gained traction because of its fashion school. So you can imagine what people would wear to campus. Students were always dressed up in one way or another. I however, didn’t like waking up early to attend class and I am one of those people that dress how they feel, so naturally I was in sweats, loungewear, or what some call, athleisure.

The problem with loungewear though, is that it all looked the same and was never flattering. Chunky hoodies and oversized sweatpants don’t really help you look like you’re ready to get out of bed, much less out of the house. Even though I was not in the fashion school, I still wanted a way to be very comfortable for my morning classes but then still elegant enough to be able to go to a restaurant during my lunch breaks. After not finding anything suitable on the market I decided to fuse my love of design and fashion and create something that was easy to wear, extremely comfortable, but still had that touch of Sophistication that a well put together outfit has. And that was the beginning of the idea for House Twenty Two.

Stemming from an architectural and design background, creative an visuals arts have always been my world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As previously mentioned, my love of loungewear started this journey for me. However I didn’t launch House Twenty Two until I finished all my studies and some professional work. After graduating as an interior designer and architect, I began designing for the Hard Rock. As a creative, i feel corporate life is really something that works for me so I left the Hard Rock to finally pursue House Twenty Two in its entirety. I started what I call a design house. A design house is what you would consider a studio or as it’s called in France, an Atelier. An entity, for lack of a better word, that encompasses all areas of design. It could be art, architecture, fashion, interior design. Practically anything in the creative or design world. I started this design house because I didn’t want to limit myself to one specific area of design. I love interior design but I also love fashion. And if you know a little bit about fashion or interior design, you know it goes hand in hand.

So, I began House Twenty Two which has its current focus in fashion in the form of 100% silk loungewear. I say loungewear because the majority of the collection is loungewear. There are however, 2-3 statement pieces that fall out of the scope of loungewear. We focus on micro collections. Meaning there are less than 100 pieces per style and once a style is sold out, that’s it! It won’t be coming back. So, you need to grab it while you can. My main idea for this was to bring back the elegance of being at home. Where every one of my pieces gave you the comfort of home yet also the sophistication of a well put together outfit for a night out. Versatility, luxury, and comfort are the main feelings one should get when wearing House Twenty-Two.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I am a one woman show and I wear many hats. I have been very fortunate enough to have a great support system around me that have been able to help me but ultimately, its just me. Running this whole thing. So i had to really unlearn everything I thought i knew about the world and people and realize, at the end of the day, no one really knows what they’re doing. Not one single person. Including myself. Realizing that everyone is just making it up as they go. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. And if it doesn’t, thats the moment where your true resilience shows. When everything is going wrong. From having the wrong fabric delivered or even the fabric supplier lying about shrink treating the fabric so when you get it and iron the clothing it shrinks two sizes! Thats the true test of resilience. Just keep going and know there is always a solution to everything. And I do mean everything. Personal or professionally, if you believe in yourself, a solution will always come.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I started my professional career in interior design. And i loved it. I still do. However, I knew from a very early age that I couldn’t work for anyone but myself. So when I left my corporate career to go out on my own that was a huge life pivot for me. Even though I was still in the design field, I had just walked into an area of myself and life I hadn’t known before. So that process of discovering this new part of myself and my life was a huge pivot. Extremely happy I did it though.

Contact Info:

• Website: WWW.HOUSETWENTYTWO.COM
• Instagram: @HOUSE_TWENTYTWO
• Facebook: @HOUSETWENTYTWO
• Linkedin: WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/HOUSE-TWENTY-TWO
• Youtube: @housetwentytwo
• Other: TikTok @HOUSETWENTYTWO

Image Credits
@CHRISWPHOTOG