Creator Series - Mel Boteri
Continuing our creator blog series, we caught up with the Founder and Creative Director of Atlanta, GA based bespoke bag brand Mel Boteri.
1. Introduce yourself and your brand...
My name is Melanie Mueller and I am the Founder & Creative Director of Mel Boteri. My mission with Mel Boteri is to inspire individuals to discover their unique personality and style and to express it through one-of-a-kind, custom and bespoke services. We currently specialize in luxury handbags, but hope to expand into all accessories, which are the finishing touches to any look.
2. What inspired you to start the brand?
I had my “AHA” moment to begin my company while earning my MBA at Emory University. As part of the program, I had the opportunity to live in New York while working with world-renowned designer Zac Posen. There I was, in the middle of the fashion capital of the world, and all I could find was one-size-fits-all, mass-produced goods that did not necessarily reflect my personal style. My frustration became the inspiration for Mel Boteri, and I laid the groundwork for the business while finishing up my last semester at business school.
3. What are you biggest successes and challenges?
I would say my biggest success to date was my partnership with Mercedes-Benz where we co-designed a luxury handbag for the company to promote their brand to car and fashion aficionadas. The biggest challenge has been breaking into the wholesale marketplace, which I think has not yet realized the huge potential of a custom, made-to-order sales process. However, I believe this is the way of the future and will soon be expected by consumers and so it is exciting to be a part of this shift in fashion and the market as a whole.
4. What attracted you to working with Emblzn?
I have explored many customizers to date, and Emblzn’s photo-realistic method was quite attractive compared to some others that work from sketches. Because online customization is still a fairly new concept, many consumers may be reluctant to purchase off of a sketch. Emblzn offers a solution that allows the shopper and co-designer to better envision what their finished product will look like. The team at Emblzn also seems to be very ahead of online and technological trends, so I was impressed by many of the other tools already in the works.
5. What is your favourite color?
It is a turquoise blue color, and because of this it has become the signature color of Mel Boteri. All of my handbags are lined in this shade, and all future product lines will have an element of turquoise incorporated into the design.
6. How do you see the industry changing over the next few years?
Consumers will absolutely expect some level of customization in all industries. Whether it’s a simple form of personalization such as adding an initial or engraving a message on something, or as complex as a made-to-measure, bespoke shoe. I believe all brands and all retailers both big and small need to incorporate this into their business models now in order to remain competitive in the future.
7. What are you working on at the moment?
So many things, but my priorities are marketing and building online custom sales via the Emblzn tool, creating a product line for the bridal market, and building out the wholesale end of my business.
8. Any shout outs / plugs?
My journey has been incredible so far, and it would not be possible without all of the individuals who have gone out of their way to support me whether through feedback, an introduction, advice or inspiration. On the other end of the spectrum, I have to thank any skeptics (there have been quite a few) because resistance to change and innovation is what drives me. Thank you to all!!
Design your own Mel Boteri handbag right here:
Thanks to Mellanie for taking the time out to take our quiz, and congratulation on scoring top marks 8/8. Stay tuned for more in the Creator Series - next up Bee Clothing.
The Emblzn Squad