Last week, we stopped by the Sunken Living Room and caught up with Melke designer, Emma Gage, who discussed the inspirations behind her vivid collection. It’s always a treat when we have the opportunity to stop by Spring Studios’ sunken living room during NYFW. The plush red velvet carpeted den complete with a stylish ’70s conversation pit is the perfect reprieve from the busy streets outside. Melke’s SS23 NYFW collection fit perfectly in the space with a playful and nostalgic vibe that draws the eye with its flowers and a sprightly color palette. With a splash of mod ’60s style here and a dash of grungy ’90s style there, the collection is rich with styling opportunities that blend with every aesthetic.
The collection was titled “How to Act Like a Man?” – the garments an antithesis of its title. Growing tired of hearing the age-old trope that women must dress like men to get ahead in the workplace, designer and founder, Emma Gage crafted a collection that encourages wearers to dress as they please. Not for the male gaze. Emma gave us a look into the collection’s inspirations:
It is that combination of the whimsical, the colorful for me. I titled the collection “How to Act Like a Man?” because I knew people would have a kind of assumption of what that looks like.
And this was inspired by a film called Daisies, which directly contributes to that question. They’re these two young women who are really tired, of only being seen as young and pretty. So they’ve tried to like, act out and try and get attention in a way that they think a man would act. So they’re eating out a lot, they go out, they start getting drunk at bars, they’re stealing things. There’s a scene where they’re sitting on their bed, and they’re cutting sausages and eggs, and they’re in a bathtub of milk, and they’re trying to drown like, a big bodybuilder in it.
So there are these really strong motifs of a very surreal-style film that really comes through in the collection and then there’s a lot of joy and fun in it even though the collection title prompts a very interesting and thought-provoking question – “How to Act Like a Man?”. What it’s really about, is there’s not a way for me.
With such wisdom in navigating male-dominated industries, we asked Emma what her advice is for young women entering the fashion world.
I think it’s important to really keep an eye out for the good people in your life, and supporters, no matter what background they come from. Find those people who will support you and who are there for you.
I think sometimes it can be difficult to ask for help. But it’s okay to accept that. And I mean, especially if you’re starting out, there’s a lot of stuff that you’re going to have to do on your own in terms of thought process and figuring out how to get A to B to C. But you have to have a really strong group of people around you.
Don’t question yourself. I think some of the advice that I have heard is, ‘oh, well, when you’re writing an email, what would a man say?’ And I started doing that sometimes, but then you’ve got to backpedal a bit and say, ‘No, like how would I say it?’ No matter feminine, masculine, nonbinary, transgender – harness that voice inside you. It can be hard, but it’s really part of it.
And stand up for yourself and practice it consistently. Practice with your friends. Like ‘hey, I know you love me like Do you mind if I practice saying this and that?’
Melke’s SS23 NYFW collection How to Act Like a Man? is not only a collection but a statement maker and a conversation starter. The question posed prompts viewers to think. “Should we act like men, dress like men, and talk like men in order to be happy and successful?” Absolutely not!
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