Melissa (Moe) Erin Donnelly lives in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. She likes to trail-run with her dog, Dakota, who stays up with her to watch movies while she sews on buttons.

Moe has been designing clothes for herself for more than ten years, and for others for about six years. “Growing up, I was always frustrated with the way my wardrobe fit both my body and my personality.  I taught myself how to tailor the clothes I already had, and how to personalize the clothes I found in thrift stores to reflect my developing aesthetic.  It was always something I did for myself, and really how I taught myself to sew.  After moving to Asheville North Carolina 6 years ago, I found the confidence and motivation to create a line for retail.  Thus, Sew Moe was created!  Asheville has a wonderful support network for artists, and fashion design is no exception.  I feel very lucky to have the local network that I have here.”

She works from a studio in her house. “I'm never far from my work. In my free time, I like to run.  Western North Carolina has beautiful scenery everywhere. I find it very inspiring to be surrounded by nature. I'm not sure how that translates into my physical design aesthetic, but I feel most centered and creative when I imagine myself in outdoor settings.”

Moe has adjusted to working alone. “The solitude is both a blessing and a challenge.  Right now I work by myself, doing all the sewing.  It gives me plenty of time to reflect and daydream about future designs, which is crucial to my line of work.  On the other hand, I have the ability to create a line that is 100% me.  That feels pretty amazing!”

She is very proud of her work. “I produce a beautiful catalog of seasonal collections that I am proud of. I feel very accomplished to be working for myself, doing something that makes me happy.”

Moe believes that “fashion is expression”. “I've always used my personal clothing to express my mood or general outlook.  Fashion should provide confidence and strength.  Your outfit always says something about you, even if you go out of your way to dress ‘simple’.  Fashion is something a lot of us are passionate about, and in that respect it can be one of the most accessible fields to work in.  Competition is fierce for this reason, so keeping true to your own design philosophy is crucial to carving your own niche and not getting lost in the fray.  I work really hard to maintain a strong aesthetic that ties each season's collections together, but still reflects growth and innovation in my designs.”

Moe offers this advice to aspiring designers, “Keep working at it.  I feel like most designers are constantly honing their craft.  That is what artists do.  Don't get discouraged because someone is ‘better’ than you or more established.  Use it as inspiration or a challenge.  If you keep developing your art, and focusing on your passion, good things will come.”

Visit Moe Donnelly’s store, Sew Moe at UsTrendy.com, where you will also find her blogs and portfolio.