Melina Hollway, a self-taught designer, shows her feminine style and goddess-like features in all of her eye-catching dresses. From the ruffles, to floral décor, to amazing hues, all of her designs are truly like a fairy tale.

What is your inspiration for this collection?

Approaching Spring Carnival and Race season here in Australia i decided to start with my collection to cater to women that are looking for something different to wear so they can stand out from the crowd. My inspiriation for all of my garments stems from the "WOW" factor i always create something i know will get alot of attention for its wearer, or in some cases i have heard from customers being chased down the street by fashionista's just to ask "where did you get that dress and who's the designer".

Describe your style:

My style reflects on my love of embellishing and intricate detailing, i try to incorperate this into most of my high end garments and have found that my customers have embraced my styles and love my ever evolving designs. i love to use lots of fabrics in my gowns and always want to do something different that stands out.

Favorite Fashion Decade?

The 80's, i love the shoulder pads, heaps of sequins and plastic beads and the crazy over accessorising!!

You'd never be caught dead wearing?

I would never be caught dead wearing tights as just pants alone, not many people are aware the fabric majority of tights are made from is not a thick lycra so when worn with nothing over the top they are see through and are not flattering on the female form as just being worn as pants. I also would not wear the short denim cut off shorts, not a good look.

One thing you couldn't live without?

I couldnt live with out my fabric collection, it is massive and it brings me great joy to dig through it all and design garments in my head, i often sit there for hours untill i come across the perfect piece and then thats when i run with my idea.

Education/Experience:

I am a self taught Fashion Designer and have been designing since i was 12, for 17 years i have trained my self to better my technique and have never been trained or educated. I would watch my Mother sew and would often fall asleep to the sound of the sewing machine going at all hours of the night, from i her i learnt the basics to sewing and from there i taught myself the rest. I dont use patterns for any of my designs and what i do make simply comes out of my head and is cut and sown free hand.