NYFW SS25: MELKE

Image: Kiera Simpson

Created by Emma Gage in 2020, MELKE is a brand dedicated to joy-inducing knitwear, dresses, accessories, and separates. Large knit sweaters and skirts are adorned with larger than life imagery of playfully embroidered elements like rainbow trout and garden vegetables. Recent collections take common themes like chequered fabrics to polka dots in colour ways that would reinvigorate even the most muted of closets. Large bows which our childhood selves would surely fight our mothers to adorn our hairstyles with, present extensively across the likes of dresses, skirts and tops. 

MELKE is a brand focused on individuality as a starting point. Embodying a slick approach to slow fashion. At its core, this is a brand dedicated to sustainability at all points in the creative ideation process, ensuring that Emma’s commitment to a healthy and happy planet translates into each individual garment. So much that the wearer can’t escape the brand’s unwavering adoration for mother Earth and her many moving parts. As a result, their ethos ensures that MELKE’s garments are as intentionally cared for as the people who make them. 

The Book Fair took place at Gary’s Loft on September 9th in the Garment District. Designed to emulate a Scholastic book fair, guests were immersed in a feeling that many experienced during elementary school. A nostalgic memory filled with joy, bright colours, an allowance of $10 or so that our parents allotted us - explodes outward into a refined, yet gloriously colourful collection. 

Image: Kiera Simpson

Pieces ranged from obvious statements like top to bottom pencil dress, composed of none other than No. 2 pencils. Statement works translated into ready-to-wear pieces like a black “pencil” skirt, embroidered with shimmery beads which illustrated pencils across the bottom hemline. 

Half and half plaid suit jackets played with colours in a way that didn’t oversaturate the wearer, easy to combine and throw into the mix of more common closet staples. Otherwise plain garments were carefully designed which allowed their structure to shine, complemented by playful embroidery detail.

Structured midi skirts expand the notion of pleating, stiff yet flowing and billowy, these elements presented peek-a-boo red and pink colour inserts. Doc Martens partnered with MELKE to provide footwear which very nicely complemented the collection. These garments suit many individual styles, you just can’t be afraid of a little (or a whole lot) of colour. 

Image: Kiera Simpson

Though the event was packed with fashion editors, photographers to influencers donning their most colourful outfits - we still managed to snag a little of the designer’s time. We chatted a little about the collection and Emma’s hopes for the way onlookers perceive the designs.. 

What’s the main inspiration behind “book fair” as a concept?

“The Scholastic book fair from grade school. When I start to conceptualise a project I like to think about “what elements of joy do I want to bring in?” I was first inspired by Pony Pals which was my favourite book at that time. 

The fair was like another world you got to escape into. It was probably the one day of school that you were actually really excited to go. Everyone remembers and loves the book fair. I wanted to recreate that same energy.” 

If you could go back to the beginning of your career, what’s one sentiment you would share with that younger version of yourself? 

“I would start with telling myself that it’s really hard to be a business owner, to be a creative business owner, and to be in the fashion industry.

But, to not lose sight of the good things that come along with it, it’s okay to have those days that are bad, or when you don’t feel motivated, maybe you even begin comparing. Let these moments soak in but, rely on and focus on what your creativity surpasses, and how many other people it reaches out to. 

Keep going, hold onto the joy of what is being built. It’ll work out.”

Image: Kiera Simpson

How do you want passersby to be impacted by your clothing? Not so much the wearer necessarily - but people who see it in the world? 

“A double take. I want someone to walk past and be like ‘Oh wow that looks really fun’. 

Some elements aren’t everyday items, like the pencil dress of course. But we want to promote the idea that you can bring a colourful piece of clothing into your wardrobe, into your style and have it work on a daily basis with a pair of jeans or a plain white t-shirt. 

I think that’s what we’re really leaning into, the idea of, ‘Oh that’s cool - I could wear that’.”

Image: Kiera Simpson

Emma has previously been invited to join the CFDO in 2022 as an interim member and debuted her quirky, engaging vision via the presentation of MELKE’s Fall/ Winter 2022 collection. Pronounced Mel-K, the brand is steeped in a jubilant whimsy from its very conception. It’s hard not to sit in admiration of any closet that may contain one of these unique and colourful pieces. MELKE is a brand committed to transparent forms of expression - leaning into the whimsical, the silly, the bright. 

Embracing colour to a self defined ‘unhinged’ degree, these designs transport your inner child to their happiest memory. All the while, anyone opposed to stepping outside of the fashionably-drab may find themselves in their ‘unhappy place’ quite quickly. Which I think is the best possible outcome of any creative endeavour. If everyone likes what you’re doing, you’ve not said anything. 

MELKE tells us we can be professional, but we can also have a bit of fun with it - as a treat, dare I say. 

Image: Kiera Simpson