Affordable Luxury. That’s the simple philosophy behind the Melie Bianco line. Founded in 2003 by Melissa and William, a husband and wife team, this wildly successful family-owned accessories company has always kept one thing in mind: bringing runway-inspired handbags to the everyday woman.
“I design bags to reflect the season’s trends, but within a budget of women like my sisters,” says Melissa who lives in Los Angeles, where her Melie Bianco line is headquartered. “Women—especially working women—want high-end handbags but at an affordable price.”
When she was a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Melissa became a master at pulling together chic ensembles on a shoestring budget. One thing she learned: a great accessory could carry nearly any outfit. It was the “A-ha!” moment that would later become her company’s mantra.
The small label began by garnering fans at local boutiques in LA. Word-of-mouth (and purse) grew to find devotees going crazy over stylish designs, top-notch construction and (the best part) prices that were a fraction of other handbags on the market. For handbag lovers shying away from animal-based products, Melie Bianco’s high-quality faux-leather materials were the perfect answer.
Today, Melie Bianco commands a large share of the market for vegan, budget-friendly fashion handbags. Melie Bianco’s designs have been spotted in major fashion magazines like Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, Lucky, Instyle, Oprah, Cosmo Girl, Seventeen, Self, People, and Life & Style among others.