Face of The Week: Merianny Villarroel, founder of Melo Looks Fashion Studio, inspired by her mother.

Born in Venezuela on Margarita Island, Merianny’s journey to fashion greatness took her across continents, driven by her unwavering love for design and her desire to escape the political turmoil in her home country.

In 2014, fueled by her lifelong passion for fashion, Merianny embarked on a journey to pursue her dreams in the United States. Graduating from LA Trade College in 2018 with a specialization in fashion arts, she honed her skills and solidified her commitment to becoming a distinguished fashion designer. Inspired by her mother’s influence, Merianny immersed herself in the art of leather craft and furthered her expertise through additional classes in tailoring and fitting.

As a designer, Merianny’s style is a reflection of her island upbringing, blending comfortable yet sexy clothing with a touch of Caribbean flair. Her designs empower women, making them feel confident, sexy, and inspired.

Merianny’s impressive portfolio includes collaborations with renowned celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, Cristina Aguilera, and Demi Lovato. Her iconic pieces have graced prestigious events like the Super Bowl, where she crafted a jacket for The Weeknd’s memorable Last Meal commercial in 2021. Her expertise extends beyond designing garments; she meticulously tailors and fits each creation, ensuring that her clients look and feel their absolute best.

In 2020, Merianny proudly launched Melo Looks Fashion Studio, a culmination of her dedication, education, and passion for making everyone look their best. The studio is not just a brand—it’s a reflection of Merianny’s commitment to excellence, artistry, and the belief that fashion has the power to transform lives.

At Melo Looks Fashion Studio, every garment is crafted with precision, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of each client’s unique style and personality. From red carpet events to everyday wear, Merianny and her team strive to make every customer feel like a star.

With Melo Looks Fashion Studio, Merianny Villarroel has created more than just a brand—she has created a movement. A movement that celebrates individuality, confidence, and the transformative power of fashion. So whether you’re walking down the runway or strolling down the street, let Melo Looks Fashion Studio help you look and feel your absolute best.

DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS FACE OF THE WEEK

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
My name is Merianny Villarroel. I’m from Venezuela, Margarita Island. I came to the United States in 2004, escaping from the dictatorship and pursuing a better future for me and my family. In 2014, I decided to become a fashion designer, inspired by my mother. I graduated as a fashion designer from LA Trade College in 2017. After that, I got into tailoring and learned the best techniques from the masters. Right now, I’m running a company called Melo Looks, where I do all kinds of custom-made garments. I design and do tailoring too for celebrities in the Los Angeles area. My portfolio includes collaborations with renowned celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, Christina Aguilera, Demi Lovato, and more. Creating iconic pieces, she notably crafted a jacket for The Weeknd’s 2021 Super Bowl commercial. As a designer, her style draws inspiration from her life on the island, embracing comfortable yet sexy garments with a touch of Caribbean flair. Her passion lies in creating designs that empower women, making them feel both sexy and comfortable.

What inspired you to pursue your career or business?
I chose my career path in design, driven by a profound wish to bring pride to my family, securing a brighter future for them. Pursuing my passion in design allows me to envision a lifetime dedicated to what I love most.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career/business and how did you overcome it?
Overcoming cultural shock and building trust as an immigrant in the industry posed my most significant challenge. I addressed it by actively engaging in networking, showcasing my skills, and gradually earning trust through consistent, quality work.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?
Staying motivated and focused on my goals involves daily actions aligned with my vision for personal and professional success. I prioritize tasks that contribute to becoming a well-known designer in the industry, driven by the desire to achieve freedom and recognition.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The most significant lesson I’ve learned is that quality work speaks for itself. Striving to be the best in whatever you do is the key to success in any endeavor.

How do you define success?

Success is when you are truly satisfied with who you authentically are.

What is your biggest dream, and how are you working towards achieving it?
My greatest aspiration is to establish myself as a highly successful and renowned fashion designer, earning a living through my creative passion. I actively pursue this dream by designing a garment per day, strategic networking, and maintaining a consistent and impactful presence on social media. Each day is an opportunity for me to progress and excel in my craft, inching closer to the realization of my ultimate goal.

How has your faith or spirituality played a role in your career/business?
Faith has helped to keep going. I know something better is coming, and I know God is guiding me. It helps to be more in peace and focused on what I want.

Who is your biggest inspiration, and why?
My greatest inspiration is my mother. Her enduring creativity and strong work ethic have played a pivotal role in shaping my career. I draw motivation from her, as she continues to be a source of inspiration, driving my commitment to hard work and creativity.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance involves taking two days off, practicing meditation, prioritizing nutritious eating, and incorporating daily green juice consumption to ensure my physical well-being stays robust.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
To those embarking on this journey, my advice is to embrace starting from the bottom without fear. Invest time in research and self-education to be well-prepared for opportunities. Learn from those who have already succeeded; their insights will be your guide on this path.

What is something that people often misunderstand about your work/business?
There’s nothing fancy about fashion. It involves a lot of sleepless nights, stress, and running around. It’s fun sometimes, but it’s crazy.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work/business?
The most rewarding aspect of my work is witnessing the culmination of my efforts – observing someone look flawless in the outfit I crafted or tailored for them brings immense satisfaction.

What is something that you’re passionate about outside of your work/business?
Cooking. I love to cook, especially healthy food.

What is the most valuable skill you have learned in your career/business?
The most valuable skill I’ve acquired in my career as a fashion designer is the ability to listen intently to people, understand their unique personalities, and translate their expressions into creative designs. This skill not only enhances my artistic capabilities but also strengthens the connection between my creations and the individual styles and preferences of my clients.

What is something you wish you knew when you were just starting out in your career/business?
I wish I had known from the start that my skills and knowledge hold significant value. Recognizing this early on would have prevented others from taking advantage of my expertise in the initial stages of my career.

How do you deal with failure or setbacks?
Embracing failure as an integral part of the process and accepting it without hesitation is my approach. Recognizing setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth.

What is your philosophy in life?

Always do good.

What is that one life lesson that you learned a little too late?
Gotta take decisions and think about the future from a young age. Life goes too fast.

What is one thing that you have accomplished that you’re most proud of?
The Weeknd jacket that I customized with thousands of crystals for his music video “Save Your Tears,” and he wore it for the Super Bowl too.

How do you see yourself and your business/career evolving in the future?
I envision the evolution of my career with the ownership of multiple clothing stores in Latin America and the United States. Displaying my designs, hosting fashion shows globally, and establishing myself as a well-known designer are key aspirations for the future.

How do you give back to your community or make a positive impact in the world?
Currently, as a Venezuelan, I am demonstrating to my community that transitioning from a dictatorship is possible. I aim to inspire others by showcasing that success is achievable despite being an immigrant. In the future, I plan to make a positive impact by assisting children in my country, imparting valuable skills to help them overcome poverty and secure a brighter future.

What is your biggest regret in life? Do you have a favorite quote? What is it?
Staying too long in something that was not worth it. My favorite quote is

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.”

What is the best advice you have ever received?
In this industry, it was that never say NO or I can’t do it in front of a client. Try a way to fix it or give them other choices.

How do you stay innovative and adapt to changing circumstances in your field?
Adapting to new technologies and trends in this fashion industry, research what is trending, make sure I know what is going on in the fashion field, take classes, and practice new techniques.

Finally, can you share a funny story or experience related to entrepreneurship that you’ve had?
Yes! One time I got booked for a fitting. I didn’t know who the celebrity was. When I got there, it was a lady I was still unaware of who she was. During the fitting, her German Shepherd showed up. She called someone to handle the dog, and voila, Kobe Bryant himself appeared! I’m very professional, but that got me surprised, and I’m his biggest fan! I didn’t realize I was in Kobe Bryant’s house, and she was Vanessa Bryant! So, when I saw Kobe, I froze, and he noticed and smiled because of my face. I was in shock. There was a silent awkward moment for one minute almost – I was totally embarrassed. Not my most professional moment, I’m used to working with celebrities, but I’m his biggest fan, and that got me by surprise, but definitely a wonderful surprise. I’m very grateful for that opportunity to meet that legend!

ABOUT DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS FACES:

“Celebrating Impactful Achievements Across Various Fields”

DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS has launched a new initiative called “Face of the Week,” which aims to showcase the achievements of men and women who are making an impact in various fields, including entrepreneurship, entertainment, education, communication, and more. Each week of the year, from January to December, a new face will be introduced to the public through DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS’s platform.

Many of these faces of the week will also be honored at the Crownys, which are the DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS Awards and where all the faces and people who worked or partnered with DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS will be celebrated. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to give recognition and exposure to individuals who are making a positive difference in their respective fields.

The initiative will culminate with the release of a printed magazine in December for the Face Of The Year.

By highlighting the achievements of these individuals, DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS hopes to inspire and encourage others to pursue their passions and make a positive impact in the world.