The Fashion Time Magazine

“It’s such a compliment to see celebrities wearing my designs. Stars are so rich they can literally have the pick of anything on the market, so it’s very flattering when they choose mine over everyone else’s.”

Melissa Odabash in the Sunday Mirror

The One. The Only. Melissa Odabash.  She put the “Designer” into Designer Celebrity, as she defied the odds, becoming one of the few to make the successful transition from ten years as a model — including appearing in Sports Illustrated — to becoming a Mega-millionairess-heralded creator of designer swimwear,  that is sought out by the Stars and fashion-conscious women around the globe, including her Zebra-print bikini, which became within two years of its creation,  “the best selling item in the Victoria’s Secret catalogue.”

“I like this swimwear designer, Melissa Odabash. She has a showroom in Malibu — you can get a great bikini. Hot, super hot, sexy. I raid that place every once in a while. You’ve got to have a lot of good bikinis if you live in L.A.”

Pamela Anderson on Melissa Odabash – via Blender

Odabash, 40, who says her secret, is to “laugh and don’t take life too seriously,” lives and works out of London, and is married to visionary, marketer-financier Nicolas De Santis, making them one of the true European Power Couples, and the proud parents of two children.

“I still think London is still the best place for work as everyone is creative, so you get more inspired and people are from all over the world, and so much more open minded.”

Melissa Odabash from the Fashion Time Interview

While there has been trying moments in her designing career, such as the controversy stirred up when Cindy Crawford’s 5-year-old daughter Kaya posed topless and with a tattoo for her swimwear line, Melissa has weathered the storms.  She was asked by Debenhams, a high street store, to “design a range called BEACH by Melissa Odabash for them.” She created the “most sought after swimsuit in America”. She expanded her line of items beyond women’s swimwear into accessories, bags, dresses, and caftans, and teamed up with fellow designer, and one of her closest friends,  Julien McDonald, to form the brand Odabash Mcdonald.

We thank Melissa for taking time out from her busy schedule to participate in our interview, and her official site, Melissa Odabash, can be seen here.

The Fashion Time: Melissa, we like for you to tell us in your own words, why your designs have resonated with the fashion-conscious public?

Melissa Odabash: I think with women it’s all about the fit and what styles make their bodies look better, which is not easy, and for me the same.  If I find a brand that does jeans for examples, that fit great, I will tend to go back year after year.

The Fashion Time: What celebrity from the past or present would you like to see modeling your swimwear and why?

Courtesy of Village Voice

Melissa Odabash: Rachel Welch.  I love her body, she has curves in all the right places, she is a real woman, I love fuller figure women.

The Fashion Time: What factors help to determine tomorrow’s trends in swimwear?

Melissa Odabash: I usually decide my own trends by where I traveled to that year as I always get influenced when I am on vacation or traveling for work. Then of course, you go to shows and see what color trends are for that year, but in swimwear, you can’t always follow color forecasts, as some colors look horrible on bare skin.

Style, elegance, and sexiness – the Odabash swimsuit defined…

The Fashion Time: You’re an American, but you live and work in London. What is about London that is more conducive to your creativity, than say Paris, New York, or LA?

Melissa Odabash: Actually I lived in Paris for 2 years, then Italy for 8 years and just flew back from LA yesterday and I still think London is still the best place for work as everyone is creative, so you get more inspired and people are from all over the world, and so much more open minded. Also as the weather is not great you work more. When I lived in Italy we used to have 4 hour lunches then sit on the terrace for another hour having cafe.

The Fashion Time: In 2006, you created quite a stir and upset some folks, when Cindy Crawford’s 5-year-old daughter Kaya posed topless and with a (fake) tattoo for your swimwear line. What was your reaction to the criticism you received and what lessons did you learn from the situation?

Melissa Odabash: This is funny.  I actually sent the suits over and was not there for the shoot. I used a very famous photographer who does all kids campaigns so I trusted her judgment.  I think it was all quite innocent and I didn’t think much of it until I received e mails and pulled the picture right away.  You forget with the internet how many crazy people are out there. But I made it a point I am now on all photo shoots to supervise.

The Fashion Time: One of the criticisms directed against the fashion industry, is that Third World sweatshops produce most of the designer clothing in the world. Is this really an ethical thing on the part of the industry or is the criticism overblown?

Melissa Odabash: I think its awful that designers do not check out their factories and make sure that they are run correctly with no one under age and treated properly.

Twice the fun – Embroidered Caftans, the Odabash way

The Fashion Time: What are your thoughts on the beauty and fashion magazines, as well as ad campaigns, photoshopping so many of the images we see?

Melissa Odabash: If only Photoshop existed when I modeled. I would love to do a photoshoot and have my entire body, face, etc., photo shopped just for fun.  The problem is for example, I was sent a bunch of composites, so I chose a model from Milan without seeing her. We all flew to the shoot and she looked nothing like her picture, but I was stuck, as I was already on the shoot. It cost me triple to do photoshop to erase all her bruises, scars, etc. Regarding ads, it’s ok, it’s all about getting a product noticed and I think there is some great ads out now.

The Fashion Time: If love is like oxygen, then fashion is like?

Melissa Odabash: Water.

The Fashion Time: Do you have an artistic or designer muse that you draw inspiration from?

Sophia Loren – courtesy of Cinema Viet

Melissa Odabash: I love Sofia Loren. She is the ultimate bombshell for swimwear.

The Fashion Time: Which person from the world of fashion are you closest to, or admire the most?

Melissa Odabash: Julien MacDonald is one of my closest friends. He is so funny, creative, and down to earth, which is hard to find in this line of business, and has the cutest accent.

The Fashion Time: What advice would you give to aspiring designers?

Melissa Odabash: Stick to one thing and one thing only until you become great at it, then branch off.

The Fashion Time: Your best and worst moments in fashion were?

Melissa Odabash: I have had so many great moments I don’t think I could name one. My worst ones would be when Fed Ex lost our boxes with my new collection. The only samples I had the day of my show in NY.

The Fashion Time: Your Favorite Collection that you worked on was/is?

Melissa Odabash: This year doing my new dress line; also doing my collaboration with Julien Macdonald two years ago.

From beachwear to poolwear, Melissa Odabash has a swimsuit that will flatter you.

The Fashion Time: Can you describe your own personal style? What clothes do you like to wear?

Melissa Odabash: For day it’s jeans and cotton tops with blazers and for night it’s dresses. I love metallic fabrics and a great pair of strappy shoes.

The Fashion Time: Everyone has a secret, so tell us yours?

Melissa Odabash: Laugh and don’t take life too seriously.

The Fashion Time: What ONE item from your wardrobe would you take from your house or apartment, if a fire happened… and why?

Melissa Odabash: My mother gave me her vintage Chanel bags probably that.

The Fashion Time: Your fashion tips for the Fall of 2008 are?

Melissa Odabash: Ankle boots. love them with dresses, pants, or leggings.

Credits:

Blender.com
Brand Wars
Cinema Viet
Daily Mirror
Style Finder.com
TLC
Village Voice
Wikipedia