Meet Melissa
LA based designer and illustrator, Melissa, takes us into the studio of Samuel Zelig, a contemporary RTW brand, that references nostalgia, whimsy, and untold stories.
Developed with her partner Jonathan, Samuel Zelig, is a grassroots brand with a mission to create clothes that’s both a conversation starter and a timeless keepsake.
Sit down, grab a cozy drink of your choosing, and go on airplane mode while I talk design process, nostalgic inspiration, and studio life with Melissa.
During the pandemic, we met on Instagram through a shared creative support group. We’ve met up a few times IRL and discovered that we have a lot in common from our experiences working in fashion.
Illustrator. RTW Designer. Nostalgia lover.
“We’re drawn to the narrative of vintage clothing—how garments soften, wear, and evolve over time. We love the idea of clothes passed down through generations, each fade, repair, and personalization adding to their story.”
— Melissa
Who are you?
Hi! I’m Melissa. I’m originally from Germany, spent my early years in Italy, and then moved to the U.S. with my family when I was in middle school—so that “where are you from?” question is always a bit tricky for me to answer succinctly!
I’ve been based in Los Angeles for almost 15 years now, aside from a year in New York working for Ralph Lauren. Before that, I was in design school, which is where I met my good friend Jonathan. We started teaming up on group projects because I could tell he was one of the few people who would actually share the workload—unlike the classic one-person-does-everything dynamic. We quickly realized we had similar tastes and worked really well together, so we kept collaborating throughout college.
After graduation, I moved to New York while Jonathan stayed in LA, and we each went our own way professionally. After the Covid lockdown, I moved back to LA and worked for a skincare company for a while. Around that time, Jonathan had started Samuel Zelig, and asked if I wanted to join him. We’ve now been building the brand together for a little over two years, and it’s been an incredible partnership.
2 . How old are you?
I am 31 :)
3. What is the inspiration behind the brand? We take inspiration from American workwear traditions, blending in French and Japanese elements through fabrication and detailing. Jonathan and I tweak classic designs so they fit and move better, while still honoring the intention and style that make them timeless in the first place. Our pieces follow a narrative of versatility, simplicity, and functionality—they're meant to last, in both form and feeling.
We pay special attention to finishing garments with experimental dye and wash techniques that elevate the clothing while making them feel like longtime favorites from day one. From the sewing and construction to the carefully chosen fabrics and hardware, every detail is considered. All the artwork we use is original, created by the two of us and applied across a range of mediums.
4. Can you share a little bit of the design process with us? Our design process starts with an evolving list of themes and ideas we’re curious to explore. We revisit this list often, discussing what feels rich or specific enough to build a capsule around. Once we land on a direction, we dive into research—gathering imagery, references, and visual language that helps us define exactly what kind of drawings, embroideries, and treatments will bring the story to life. For example, when we recently developed a Western-inspired group, we were intentional about avoiding the usual tropes—horseshoes, cowboy boots, men riding bulls. Instead, we focused on the quieter, more textural elements of a westward journey: saloon doors, grain sack graphics, vintage postcard motifs. We applied fabric treatments to give the statement pieces a naturally aged look, as if the wearer had passed through dust and sun.
A lot of our work carries that sun-faded quality. We’re drawn to the narrative of vintage clothing—how garments soften, wear, and evolve over time. We love the idea of clothes passed down through generations, each fade, repair, and personalization adding to their story.
5. Your collections are all about storytelling and detail. How do you hope people feel while wearing your clothes? Above all, we want our pieces to feel comfortable—and make you feel confident. The fit and feel of a garment is everything to us. We spend a lot of time fitting and re-fitting our silhouettes, and we custom-develop our fabrics to get the hand just right.
Beyond that, we hope our pieces evoke a sense of wonder—like the feeling you had flipping through a storybook as a kid. Every illustration that becomes an embroidery is hand-drawn by either me or Jonathan. We pour so much time and energy into those drawings, not just as decoration, but as part of a larger story. Some customers tell us they’ve owned a piece for years and still notice new details in the artwork. That means a lot to us, because we’re intentional about how each element interacts—where they’re placed, how they speak to each other, and what they might mean.
Sometimes we sneak in personal references, like the number “502,” which was the address of our first studio. But what’s really special is when those symbols take on new meaning for someone else. We’ve had people share their own interpretations of the artwork—what it reminds them of, why it resonates—and those stories always surprise us in the best way.
6. Where do you go to find things to get inspired? For me, inspiration comes from staying in motion—by working, experimenting, remaining open. It’s easy to say that anything can inspire, but it’s true. I find it through trying new things: drawing, writing, music, movies, books, collaging. Fashion shows always recharge something in me. So do my friends and community—I love noticing what people are wearing, what they’re talking about, what’s on their minds.
It really comes down to staying actively curious and engaged with the world. We’re lucky to be surrounded by culture, and incredible bookstores, museums, flea markets, shops—each one its own little universe to wander through. And when I’m feeling stuck, a walk in nature or a run almost always helps reset my head and shift my perspective.
7. What is your favorite original embroidered element in your previous collections? One of my favorite pieces is a hoodie we designed for FW24, which features a ton of original folk art-inspired embroidery. When we first landed on the theme, I honestly wasn’t sure I’d be able to come up with anything to draw—it felt a bit out of my wheelhouse. But once I started diving into folk art references, I realized how wildly creative and expansive the world was. The possibilities were endless. The drawings we ended up creating have this incredibly whimsical, almost storybook quality that I love. Each one felt special in its own way—I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite.
8. What is your favorite piece from your collection? The Yearbook Reunion Jacket is my favorite piece we’ve ever designed. We pored over yearbooks from the 1920s to the 1950s, studying the style of graphics and personal touches that showed up in those decades. Then we reimagined our own versions—drawing from the sports teams, clubs, and inside jokes that might’ve defined a graduating class.
The final jacket feels authentic, like something you’d actually find at a 1950s high school reunion. It’s covered in layered embroidery—signatures, doodles, stitched messages—like an entire senior class had taken turns personalizing it for the wearer. As a finishing touch, we applied a subtle pigment spray that gives the fabric a timeworn feel. It looks like it was worn, forgotten in an attic, and rediscovered decades later, covered in the kind of beautiful wear that only time can create. I love the story it tells—and how real it feels.
9. If you could buy anything, what’s your dream piece of fashion you’d love to own one day?I neeeeeeeeeed a red pair of Guidi boots, but haven’t allowed myself to pull the trigger yet.
10. What are some accounts on IG you follow for inspiration? @ursamajor.workwear, @becchi_ayumi, @merchmotel, @afterhoods, @rakel.h.s.w
11. What words of wisdom would you say to any aspiring designers/fashion entrepreneurs? The path is rarely straightforward. More often than not, it takes a series of unexpected turns to get where you’re meant to go. There’s no single formula for becoming a designer or entrepreneur—you have to engage with the full landscape of what’s out there, and pay close attention to what resonates with you—and what doesn’t.
It’s helpful to have a vision, to set goals, but it’s just as important to leave room for detours. Those off-course moments often hold something essential—some overlooked detail or surprising lesson you’ll end up needing later. Even the frustrating or seemingly irrelevant chapters can shape your perspective in valuable ways, if you stay open to them. The most important thing is to keep showing up. Work hard, stay curious, and make the most of what’s in front of you.
Oh! And don’t hesitate to reach out to people who inspire you. They might not respond right away—but over time, the right conversations will find their way to you. Eventually, you’ll land somewhere that feels like yours.
