meli melo is one of those bags that has a rep for being the go-to brand for the style industry insiders – think Sienna Miller, Poppy Delevingne, Olivia Palermo, and Lily Aldridge. Now, it’s making its way onto the arms of influencers, with the likes of Lornaluxe’s Lorna Andrews, Lion In The Wild’s Kiara King, Erin Holland, From Luxe With Love’s Natalie Lucas, Anna Heinrich, Jessica Alizzi, and Ashleigh D’mello all spotted sporting bags from the brand.
Breaking onto the scene in London in 2005, meli melo is the brainchild of founder and creative director Melissa Del Bono. Having grown up ensconced in an entrepreneurial family, Melissa decided that a small fact like having never attended design school was not going to stand in her way from developing a luxury handbag line.
With a desire to create beautifully-designed, timeless and modern accessories for every woman, Melissa began crafting the collection. Inspired by a childhood spent on the small island of Lipari, Sicily, where she would watch the women in the villages carry around charming wicker baskets, Melissa decided to interpret the inverted handles of these baskets to create the first ever meli melo handbag – the B.B. Bag.
Fast-forward 11 years, and meli melo continues to be influenced by coastal Italian sanctuaries, while including elements of the urban buzz of London – where she currently lives. Each meli melo bag is crafted by Italian artisans in Florence using the finest leather and materials – with Melissa continuing to have a very much hands-on role with the designs.
It’s these details that have seen the brand go on to become favoured by celebrities and influencers alike – with Anna Heinrich explaining why meli melo is seen as an essential accessory: “Chic yet practical, my meli melo bag is a year-round luxury basic (and the perfect hand candy to travel with). Not only does it carry everything but the kitchen sink, it’s completely versatile and easy to tote from beach to bar.”
Click here to check out the meli melo handbag range.
Main image: @ashleighdmello
