We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melissa Mercedes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.
The Melissa Mercedes brand uses efforts to increase representation of plus-size women. It’s crucial to recognize that beauty and talent come in all shapes and sizes, and promoting diversity and inclusivity benefits society as a whole. Continued advocacy, media representation, and changes within industries are essential steps toward greater representation of plus-size individuals.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Melissa Mercedes and i am originally from New York. My family is of Dominican decent, and I currently live in Los Angeles.
As a child, I cut my own clothes into doll dresses, and designed my 7th birthday, prom, and sweet sixteen dresses. My keen sense of style, and fine attention to detail created a buzz for styling amongst my family and closest friends throughout the years to come.
In 2011, I graduated from Long Island University with a Masters in School Counseling. I spent 4 years working alongside youth who struggled with behavioral issues and social obstacles as a counselor. I also prepared students for job interviews during their career search. I conducted mock interviews and also gave style tips on dressing for success. After sometime of preparing numerous students for their big moments, I came to the realization that I wanted to concentrate more on fashion.
I combined my two passions resulting in the impeccable combination of a stylist with the know how to ensure you not only look great, but feel great too. As the woman behind RetroBohoChic, I am also a stylist and image consultant with client ranging from celebrities to the everyday woman looking to improve their appearance and gain confidence. Rather than dictating trends governed by fashion, I guide my clients in developing their own image as I understand the way we dress is very much a part of sense of self.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I remember exactly how I felt when I heard the speech “Man in the Arena” for the first time. It jolted me like a lightning bolt. My eyes wallowed up with tears because it was exactly what I didn’t know I needed to hear. It set me free. As humans we can get in our head, and allow the words and opinions of others to get to us.
To win you must fail several times.
Once you have failure, you will no longer fear it.
Failures and your humbleness will keep you from becoming the critic.
No matter how hard the loss, Victory will come again.
People will talk about you and criticize you without knowing how/why you have made the choices you have. But it doesn’t matter.
The man in the arena is for everyone who has chosen to live their own lives on their own terms, anyone who has overcome struggle, and anyone who has had to shut out the critics. Because of this speech, Melissa Mercedes was born. Cheers to the blood sweat and tears, and to everyone who is living as the “Man in the Arena.”
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I did not always want to be in the fashion industry; in fact it was never even in my plans. As a child I did display a natural affinity for fashion. Designing an array of dresses for my grandmother to sew for me. Born with an eye for art, I did not pursue a career in what came so naturally. Instead I decided to challenge myself with a career in counseling. I went to school at Long Island University where I studied counseling. Prior to graduation, I ascended the corporate world landing a counseling position at a non-profit organization assisting youth. I was one of the only Latina bilingual counselors and really took working in the community.
By 2011 I had visited Rwanda, Africa to help counsel some of the survivors of the 1993 genocide. Following the Africa trip, I was impacted greatly spiritually. I realized my life should have purpose and her work should be a part of that.
I considered a number of entrepreneurial ventures. On a whim I began a styling company called RetroBohoChic.
More than three years later the Styling company has grown into a luxury clothing brand Melissa Mercedes that has come to include dresses for celebrities such as Meagan Good, Laverne Cox, Nina Parker, Nia Jax, Tyra Banks for events such as People Choice Awards, Oscars, Grammys, and much more!
I love my work, but success in fashion is not everything, I help style women to heal them. It’s a powerful thing when a woman feels beautiful. “I want to be able to make a difference in people’s lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melissa-mercedes.com
- Instagram: @melissamercedesofficial
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
Image Credits
Chiquis Rivera on the cover of people magazine wearing the “Liberty” gown. Nicole Byer wearing our “Raven” Gown from the “Reception” Collection for the Critics Choice Awards Melissa Mercedes launching her collaboration collection with Eloquii. Melissa Mercedes wearing the “Clairvoyance” suit Tess Holiday wearing a custom back velvet gown for Harper’s Bazar Icons event. Jordin Sparks wearing our “Estrella” cheetah pantsuit to the pre Grammy Lunch. Vanessa Simmons wearing the sheer blush pink bodysuit.