Melissa Odabash MBE
As a former model, Melissa Odabash has an innate sense of what women want from their swimwear & beachwear. From the inception of the brand, the collections have been developed to sculpt and enhance the female silhouette. Timeless pieces designed with clean lines and innovative textiles aim to adapt to diverse body types, making them a must- have for the distinguished global traveller.
Melissa’s debut collection launched in 1999, which British Vogue was quick to name as ‘The Ferraris of the bikini world.’ She has been credited with ‘re-introducing high fashion into the swimwear world’ with complementary ranges expanding across beachwear, RTW, apres, Lounge, accessories and childrenswear.
Having been established for almost three decades, her unwavering dedication to design and mastery of superior fabrics have solidified her position as an industry trailblazer and have garnered esteemed recognition throughout her career. Some highlights include, 'Designer of the Year' in Paris, the prestigious Founder's Award from the WIE and the Humanitarian Award from the Future Dreams charity. Additionally, Melissa's significant contributions to the Swimwear Industry and her philanthropic endeavours were acknowledged with the MBE bestowed upon her by Her Majesty the Queen.
Melissa's collections enjoy international distribution, spanning hundreds of luxury department stores, boutiques and resorts, alongside her own global e-commerce platform. In addition, the brand has established two flagship stores in London, strategically located in Notting Hill and Chelsea, providing clients with a comprehensive experience. Moreover, Melissa Odabash continues to operate seasonal store locations across various international destinations, further enhancing accessibility to her brand.
With her continuing global success, Melissa has teamed with many high-profile personalities and brands creating new outlets for her ever-growing following. Highlights include a collaboration with retail titan Victoria’s Secret, designing their ‘best-selling bikini’, creating an exclusive collection shot by Bryan Adams for Speedo’s 75th Anniversary and developed “the perfect swimwear” with Gwyneth Paltrow for her lifestyle website GOOP. Turning to the silver screen, she has often worked to support costume departments such as re-developing the iconic swimsuits for the film ‘Diana’ starring Naomi Watts and providing her best-selling Sports Luxe style to Jennifer Lawrence in the film Passengers.
Throughout her success as a designer, Melissa continues to devote time to her numerous philanthropic ventures. To name but a few, she has worked with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, Prince’s Trust, CHIVA and has partnered with Elton John to create an exclusive hat for his Aids Foundation. Notably in 2015 Melissa launched her debut mastectomy line with the Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity and has continued to release collections in partnership with Future Dreams every year since.
Extending beyond design Melissa has also contributed to educational establishments such as speaking to Harvard Alumni in New York and inspiring young undergraduates at London’s Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design.
Melissa Odabash’s illustrious clientele includes an array of A-list celebrities, including Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, and Beyoncé, who favour her designs while vacationing. Her collections consistently grace the pages of prestigious fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, attesting to her enduring influence and relevance in the fashion industry.