Designer DETAIL - Melanie Cutfield

Empowering, flattering and easily elegant - Melanie Cutfield introduces Summer 07/08

From well cut suits and stylish jackets to flowing silk dresses and chic swimmers, the Melanie Cutfield garment reflects contemporary tailoring and a distinct look. Melanie's eponymous label has one simple philosophy; to empower and flatter modern woman through beautiful, architecturally cut garments with a unique design edge.

Staying True

Melanie Cutfield has been focused on creating her own clothing label since she was eleven, under the guidance of the two seamstresses in her family, her great aunt and her mother. "My great aunt was a dress designer in London in the 50’s, and my mother was a great inspiration to me in my early days learning to sew dolls clothes," Melanie says. Studying every garment related subject at school, Melanie moved on to a three year degree at the exclusive Fashion Design School in Wellington, New Zealand.

During this time, Melanie attained a number of fashion industry awards recognising her creativity and her skill. It was her commitment to the love of design and the fashion industry that saw Melanie's label come to fruition in October 2003.

Melanie cemented her commercial and technical knowledge of the clothing business working in design, pattern making, fabric buying, manufacturing and retail in Auckland, London, Ireland and Sydney. Not satisfied with the experience she was gaining in London high street fashion labels, Melanie trained at the London College of Fashion all the while planning the conception of her own fashion brand.

Finding a niche

Finding a design niche was simple - Melanie was aware of where her clothing is positioned and the kind of woman she is designing for. Her clothes are targeted to stylish and confident gals craving unique, beautifully cut and flattering garments that are suitable for their working environment, but edgy and sexy for everything else.

The Design Dream

Melanie shares her favourite elements of the design process. "The most enjoyable part is when you start a new collection, it's like having a blank canvas and it is so exciting pulling the concept together," says Melanie. "The designing is by far and away the most enjoyable part. Unfortunately it only make up a small portion of my time when doing what I do."

Flying the New Zealand flag

Based in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney since 2001, Melanie saw the hub of the fashion industry as the perfect city to launch her label. From converting her apartment's lounge in to a workroom and design floor, Melanie's label is now stocked in over 60 high end fashion boutique stores in Australasia, a number which is quickly growing. You’ll find Melanie Cutfield clothing beside other leading New Zealand designers who have provided inspiration and paved the way for New Zealand fashion to be taken seriously on an international scale.

Now based out of a design studio in Surry Hills, Sydney, Melanie also fits in international travel on an annual basis for design inspiration, and to keep up to the minute on the latest in European design.

Melanie Cutfield's ideal summer

Hidden zips, pocket details and movement that always flatters the female shape have earned Melanie a legion of fans, allowing the range to grow season to season. Using a muted colour palette whilst building round basic black, her ranges are always sophisticated but relevant and appealing through their wearability.

"I love the white on white summer dresses. I also think the midnight dip dyed dresses are fantastic. I always get so many complements when I where them," Melanie says of her personal favourites from the collection.

Summer 07/08 brings us an impressive array of sophisticated day wear, party wear, swimsuits, and Melanie's take on the maxi dress. Each piece has movement and life, our favourite being this voluminous black mini dress (left), which will become a summer staple in our wardrobes.

Grand Plans

"We will be launching at London Fashion Week next February, with an especially created northern hemisphere collection. It will be full of all the wonderful wool coats and jackets that I love designing," Melanie says.

For more information on Melanie and to find your closest stockist, visit www.melaniecutfield.com