Despite finding her first inspiration in her mother’s fantastical theatre costumes, Montreal-based Mélissa Nepton crafts wearable garments that highlight careful tailoring and luxurious fabrics. 

It's no surprise Mélissa designs with working urbanites in mind. Before the launch of her collection, she worked as a buyer and got her break on a reality television show called La Collection, much like Project Runway. 

Mélissa’s Spring 2014 collection first showed last month at Montreal Fashion Week, and it’s certainly been a busier season than usual for the designer – having won the Target Emerging Designer Award in Quebec, she presented a second collection that will appear in Target stores.

Having studied in Paris and with an eye on the international stage, Mélissa often looks to foreign countries for inspiration, and the latest collection for her eponymous line is no exception. Japanese culture plays into the playful pieces, as does an undercurrent of “pixelation” inspired by video games. 

We asked Mélissa the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY of her Spring 2014 collection. See her answers below!

WHAT was your inspiration for the spring/summer 2014 collection?
I am inspired by both the culture and fashion currents stemming from Japan.  I am revisiting traditional and contemporary Nippon garments. A concept I explore through the urban prism of video game pixelation forms and colors.

WHY do you love showing in Toronto and the energy at MasterCard Fashion Week?
The audience is completely different from Montreal and it gives us a great perspective on the strengths of our new collections. The team at IMG are always professional and they run a well organized quality event. 

We also love meeting the various media and buyers from Toronto that we don’t typically get to interact with as regularly in person.


WHEN people see the collection what do you hope they’ll take away from it?
That the collection is wearable.  We strive to provide comfortable pieces that bring out the beauty in all women no matter what their age or physique. 

WHO is the “Melissa Nepton” woman, and what is she doing on a Saturday afternoon in Toronto?
She is a working woman that has a lot of things on the go!  Whether it's spending time with friends and family, shopping, or just relaxing weekends are for more than just lying in the sun (although that is always nice too). 


WHERE do you see yourself and your brand in five years?
Growing, growing, growing. Whether it’s expanding our product line or entering into new markets there is always room to grow and push yourself.