Melissa Odabash
Encyclopedia
Melissa Odabash is an American fashion designer based in London. Melissa began her career modelling in Italy before designing her own swimwear line. A key-piece from her first collection, a zebra-print bikini became the best-selling item in the Victoria's Secret catalogue, while another piece became the most popular swimsuit in America after it appeared on the cover of US Glamour. Her collections have been featured in editorial features in just about every fashion magazine around the world, and her swimsuits were described by Vogue as the 'Ferrari's of the bikini world.' Her designs are also loved by a plethora of celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyonce and good friend Elle Macpherson.
Melissa has also collaborated with a number of high profile brands, who come to her for her vast swimwear knowledge and ability to inject glamour into the simplest of pieces. In 2003, Odabash was chosen by Speedo
to design a collection to celebrate Speedo's 75th Anniversary. For this project, she collaborated with musician and photographer Bryan Adams
. The fashion shoot for the project included artists and celebrities, such as dancer Joaquin Cortes
and models Ines Sastre
and Jerry Hall
. In 2005, Odabash was also chosen among various designers to create the sailing team uniform for the Spanish team Desafio Espanol
competing in 2007's America's Cup
in Valencia, Spain.
Her most notable collaboration to date is that of her Odabash-Macdonald line, in which Melissa teamed up with designer and close friend Julian Macdonald to create a collection of swimwear and ready to wear pieces. They collaborated again at the beginning of 2011, with the collection debuting at Miami Swim Week at the W Hotel to great acclaim.
Melissa creates an affordable diffusion line for department store Debenhams called 'Beach by Melissa Odabash'
Melissa is also a sought after television personality - having set a swimwear task on Britain's Next Top Model, taken a young girl under her wing by becoming a mentor on BBC3 programme 'Working Girls' and reporting live for French television from Buckingham Palace during 2011's Royal Wedding celebrations.
Melissa works out of her Mayfair based atelier and has two London-based boutiques - the flagship Notting Hill store, which opened in 2007, and the other in affluent Chelsea which opened in spring 2011. Both offer a unique experience, designed to be a 'one-stop-shop' for all your holiday needs & with specialist assistants offering advice on finding the perfect bikini. Both stock the full swimwear collections as well as beachwear, ready to wear, accessories and Melissa's signature hats - the Panama, as loved by Cameron Diaz and the cowboy hat, worn by Elle Macpherson, Beyonce Knowles & Cheryl Cole to name but a few.
Melissa has also collaborated with a number of high profile brands, who come to her for her vast swimwear knowledge and ability to inject glamour into the simplest of pieces. In 2003, Odabash was chosen by Speedo
Speedo
Speedo International Ltd. is a manufacturer and distributor of swimwear and swim-related accessories. Founded in Australia in 1914, the industry leading company is now a subsidiary of Pentland Group Plc. Today, the Speedo brand can be found on products ranging from swimsuits and goggles to wrist...
to design a collection to celebrate Speedo's 75th Anniversary. For this project, she collaborated with musician and photographer Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
. The fashion shoot for the project included artists and celebrities, such as dancer Joaquin Cortes
Joaquín Cortés
Joaquín Pedraja Reyes "Joaquín Cortés" is a classically trained ballet and flamenco dancer from Spain of Romani origin.-Biography:...
and models Ines Sastre
Inés Sastre
Inés Sastre is a Spanish model and actress.-Early life:Sastre's career started at the age of 12, when she was selected for a fast-food commercial with McDonald's. Her first movie appearance occurred in 1988 in El Dorado by Carlos Saura. In 1989, she was awarded the look of the year by the Elite...
and Jerry Hall
Jerry Hall
Jerry Faye Hall is an American model and actress, also known for her long-term relationship with Mick Jagger, with whom she had four children.-Early life:...
. In 2005, Odabash was also chosen among various designers to create the sailing team uniform for the Spanish team Desafio Espanol
Desafío Español
Desafío Español 2007 is a yacht racing team that competed for the Louis Vuitton Cup 2007, the challenger series held prior to the America's Cup. They made the Semi Finals before being eliminated by Team New Zealand.*...
competing in 2007's America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
in Valencia, Spain.
Her most notable collaboration to date is that of her Odabash-Macdonald line, in which Melissa teamed up with designer and close friend Julian Macdonald to create a collection of swimwear and ready to wear pieces. They collaborated again at the beginning of 2011, with the collection debuting at Miami Swim Week at the W Hotel to great acclaim.
Melissa creates an affordable diffusion line for department store Debenhams called 'Beach by Melissa Odabash'
Melissa is also a sought after television personality - having set a swimwear task on Britain's Next Top Model, taken a young girl under her wing by becoming a mentor on BBC3 programme 'Working Girls' and reporting live for French television from Buckingham Palace during 2011's Royal Wedding celebrations.
Melissa works out of her Mayfair based atelier and has two London-based boutiques - the flagship Notting Hill store, which opened in 2007, and the other in affluent Chelsea which opened in spring 2011. Both offer a unique experience, designed to be a 'one-stop-shop' for all your holiday needs & with specialist assistants offering advice on finding the perfect bikini. Both stock the full swimwear collections as well as beachwear, ready to wear, accessories and Melissa's signature hats - the Panama, as loved by Cameron Diaz and the cowboy hat, worn by Elle Macpherson, Beyonce Knowles & Cheryl Cole to name but a few.