A dose of Italian heritage mixed with London cool and a dash of Parisian Chic

The UK has given us Lulu Guinness, Anya Hindmarch , Pauric Sweeney, Tabitha and now Meli’ Melo’, a new accessories line conceived by London transplant Melissa Del Bono. Melissa, who’s originally from Italy, began creating bags as a hobby in order to satisfy her own needs and tastes; but immediately gained critical acclaim from the fashion industry appearing on the pages of style bibles such as Vogue, Harpers & Queen and Elle. I had the pleasure of chatting with this globe-trotting designer to find about more about her line, her style and uncovering why Sienna Miller, Kate Moss and Elle Macpherson can’t get enough of Meli Melo.

Pamela Pekerman, Bag Guru

BagTrends: Meli Melo is a relativity new brand and yet you have so much press attention. What was your first big mention and how did it feel?
Melissa Del Bono: It was in the September issue of Vogue which came out in August so everyone had it with them on holiday with them. Everyone seemed to be carrying one around on the plane, on a boat, at the pool, and it was introducing me as "the new handbag designer" and how you could not go without a Meli Melo bag this new winter season. The calls from that article were overwhelming.

BT: Why did you start designing?
Melissa: More for my own needs and desires. I wanted a bag that could hold everything, including a change of shoes, and still look stylish and elegant. That's the reason I designed my signature shape, the B.B. Bag, which is inspired by Brigitte Bardot.

BT: When did you realize this could be a lucrative business?
Melissa: When I realized how crazy women are about handbags, and how one can never have enough!

BT: What inspires your designs?
Melissa: I’m inspired by the beach lifestyle of the Aeolian islands in Lipari where I grew up ... Holidays ...undiscovered places...soft leathers… and my own needs.

BT: From the current spring/summer line, which is your favorite bag?
Melissa: I love the Cappuccino bag in cream canvas with tan borders. It’s so chic and a classic piece for every woman’s wardrobe. It also comes in the new medium size, which is big enough for the day and small enough for night.

BT: Where can we buy Meli Melo bags in the states?
Melissa: Scoop NYC and you can also contact us through our website www.melimelo.it.

BT: What can we expect for fall / winter 2007? How about resort 07?
Melissa: For Fall/Winter 2007 Meli Meli is about Rock 'n' Roll style … black and white adorned by chains, fringing and all details that make you feel like a true Rock Star girl! There will be suedes mixed with croc and studs adorning big bags as well as evening clutches.

BT: What about Resort 2007?
Melissa: For resort there’s the new Buenos Aires bag inspired by my trips to Argentina. Also, the signature BB shape with special plaits which it is made in very soft leather adorned by plaits that are interspersed with metallic thread to give you that glamorous Argentinean style – a polo day must!

BT: Who do you image is the Meli Melo woman?
Melissa: She's confident and elegant and always makes a style statement. She has her own sense of style and is interested in timeless pieces.

BT: What’s next for Meli Melo? Are more accessories on the horizon?
Melissa: Yes definitely. We have developed some cute hoodies for the beach and some sandals and we want to start developing small leather goods like wallets and purses.

BT: What’s always in your bag?
Melissa: Bobbi Brown’s Meli Melo shimmer compact, keys, note pads, a Montblanc pen, Cutler and Gross sunglasses which have that great vintage feel, my Blackberry Pearl and my ipod.

BT: What’s the next big trend for handbags?
Melissa: Environmentally friendly materials and more and more "utility" combined with "glamour and luxury ".

BT: Structured satchels or loose hobos?
Melissa: Soft, not really structured so the bag is light and you can feel the softness of the leather.

BT: Clutches for evening or all-day chic?
Melissa: I love inverting the times of day around, so wearing a small bag and heels during the day and effortless flats and a big bag at night. It’s more of a statement.

BT: Black or colored bags ?
Melissa: Hmmmm... it depends on my mood. But, one of my favorite bags in my collection at the moment is this black patent snakeskin. It has it all – the shimmer of the patent, the elegance of black and the interesting exotic feel of the snakeskin print.

BT: Aside from your own bags, what other brands do you wear or admire?
Melissa: Miu Miu shoes, love them!!! Made in Heaven jeans. Bodyarmour dresses. Gharani Strock. And, Georgina Goodman shoes because they always seem to complement my bags.

BT: If you could put any woman in your bag who would it be and why? 
Melissa: My mother because her elegance and sense of style inspires me. And also Brigitte Bardot who gave me the inspiration for my signature BB bag.