Melanie Ireland - MEL Antwerp: rock 'n' roll with a bohemian twist
In this episode of Our Designers, we meet Melanie Ireland, fashion designer and founder of MEL Antwerp.
Photography: Sigfrid Eggers
Season 1 - Episode 4: Melanie Ireland
Melanie Ireland does not believe in perfect timing. According to her, it simply does not exist. Anyone who wants to create must dare to trust their instincts, even when the world says it is not a good idea. That conviction is a recurring theme in her life and work, from Simple Kids to MEL Antwerp.
Cut, dye, and start over
Creativity was evident from an early age. As a child, Melanie would thoughtlessly alter the clothes her mother bought for her. She would remove sleeves, shorten hems, and dye everything black, much to the frustration of the washing machine. Later, as a teenager, she would design outfits before going out with friends. Not because she had to, but because she wanted to wear something that did not yet exist.
There was no strict plan. No fashion training at eighteen. First Spain, more by chance than design. Then Antwerp, again without a strategy. What started as a stopover became home. "I bought a washing machine and thought: now I can't move anymore."
Learning in the eye of the storm
Melanie took her first real steps in the fashion world at a large fashion company. She started in the warehouse, but stood out because of her interest in products and design. What followed was an intense learning curve with extremely high pressure. "It was like The Devil Wears Prada, but a hundred times worse."
Creativity had to pay off, every single day. It was tough, sometimes too tough, but she learned everything. How collections are built, how production works, but above all, how she didn't want to do it herself.
Simple d’Anvers and the power of simplicity
That experience led to the creation of Simple d'Anvers. Basics in every color imaginable, long before large chains picked up on the idea. T-shirts, sweaters, dresses—everything revolved around wearability and feel. The brand was a huge success, but the combination of owning a store and a stifling work environment proved unsustainable in the long run.
After the birth of her first child, Melanie made a radical decision. She quit and started over, this time with a children's collection. Without market research, without a grand plan. Simply because she wanted to make clothes for children that she herself liked.
Twenty-seven years later, Simple d'Anvers still exists.
“It has to be wearable. That's the most important thing for me.”
MEL Antwerp: femininity with an edge
MEL Antwerp feels like a logical next step. A collection for women of all ages, built around strong basics with a subtle twist. A T-shirt that fits just a little differently. A shoulder that is narrower, a sleeve that is wider. Dresses with pockets, always pockets.
Her style balances between rock 'n' roll and bohemian femininity. Classic, but never predictable. "It has to be wearable. That's the most important thing for me."
Inspiration comes from everywhere. Colors, fabrics, previous collections, conversations. For Melanie, the process is like cooking. You start with an idea, but you never know exactly how it will turn out. And sometimes it's the mistakes that produce the best results.
Small team, big trust
Melanie consciously chooses to work without a large team. No endless meetings, no detours. Quick decisions, relying on experience and instinct. This way of working is reflected in her relationships with producers in India and China. Collaborations that feel like family, built on mutual respect, quality, and ethics.
She travels frequently and wants to know every link in the process, from refreshers to stitchers. During COVID, her partners continued to pay their employees in full. For her, choices like these are not a marketing ploy, but a matter of course.
Objects with meaning
In the podcast, Melanie also talks about two things that are dear to her. Her golden retriever Boy Boy, who usually hangs out in the showroom. And a ring, made from the melted gold of her late parents' wedding rings. An object she wears every day and that connects her to who she is and where she comes from.
Advice for young designers
Melanie doesn't hesitate for a second when that question comes up. Follow your instincts. Don't wait for approval. Don't listen to people who say it's not the right time. That moment will never come.
If you truly believe in what you create, you have to give it a shot. Work hard, persevere, and trust that the right doors will open. "Passion is everything. You have to be proud of what you create."
Melanie Ireland - Our Designers
