Designer Q&A: Melanie Cutfield

Today we talk to Melanie Cutfield, designer of her own self titled label, Melanie Cutfield, as well as the gorgeous diffusion line, Muccia.

With a career spanning over a decade in Fashion and a Degree in Fashion Design, Melanie began her own line in 2003, which is now stocked in over 60 boutiques throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Who are your favorite designers?
Internationally – Karen Walker, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Kate Sylvester, Marnie, Prada Australia – Lover, Mad Cortes

Where do you get all your idea for Melanie Cutfield and Muccia?
muccia by Melanie Cutfield price point ranges from $145 to $395 and Melanie Cutfield price point ranges from $250 to $725 for separates including tailored trenches, jackets, pants, tops, skirts and dresses.

The muccia by Melanie Cutfield consumer appreciates a modern interpretation of wardrobe staples, values uniqueness, seeking quality and adorability. She chooses key basics that represent personality and zest for a timeless wardrobe. muccia by Melanie Cutfield is a bridge between high street and designer product with a more affordable price point than it’s older sister label Melanie Cutfield.

The Melanie Cutfield consumer is confident, directional and feels empowered by luxurious fabrics, prestigious quality and modern style. She appreciates clean, immaculate cuts with a touch of quirky character and has a strong sense of trends. Melanie Cutfield pieces positioned at a higher price point because the design is more original, uses intricate detailing and premium fabrications.

What’s your favorite era of fashion?
I’ve always been in love with the 1940′s and 50′s post war dressing when women wore gorgeous chiffon blouses, dresses and feminine silhouettes that were the essence of pretty and sexy from the old world.

If you had the choice of all designers in the world to work with/for, would that person be your choice??
Alexander McQueen is incredibly creative and has an amazing technical touch. He is freakishly creative and has a fantastic approach to new age fashion which I would find inspiring on a day to day basis.

What tips can you over people looking to get into the fashion industry?
Determination, passion, strength and the ability to work long hours under pressure. Focus on continually expanding your creativity and remain focused on the commercial world

Favourite online store…

Le Black Book Online, Net A Porter Online

What qualities a person needs to be a fashion designer?
Obviously it is important have a strong passion, creativity and have a strong interest in an extensive range of international fabrics, colours and patterns that are the perfect adornment for the female figure.

What impact, if any, do you think online shopping has had for Australian designers?
Online shopping boutiques have provided a global reach for Australian designers to promote their brand at an
international level and serves as a key marketing tool. There has been a considerable increase in online shopping for
Australia and as a result we plan to launch an online boutique for our diffusion label muccia by Melanie Cutfield in the next 6 months. On the flip side, due to the increase in online shopping, it can be quite hard for some designer’s collections to differentiate a point of difference as most collections are inspired by runway trends.

What’s next for Melanie Cutfield and Muccia?
The launch of muccia has been a fantastic asset to our business and it has made us thrive during turbulent economic times where most people in our industry are experiencing difficulties, both our Melanie Cutfield and muccia by Melanie Cutfield labels are growing at a 30% rate.

Want more Melanie Cutfield or Muccia?

Visit the Never Shopped Out Lookbook section for both lookbooks. Visit Melanie Cutfield and Muccia for more information