Melly Happy HemAtelier Dollhouse / Concept B
Melissa Chavez / Fashion designer
Six bodies of work live inside one imagined atelier. Follow the stitched route from research table to textile desk, then enter each room for a closer look.
Enter at station 01Fashion Design Case Study
A fashion-design case study developing an ethereal, architectural eveningwear collection through fashion illustration, textile selection, draping studies, construction planning, technical flats, and development of a pale-blue gown.
shoulder support / test 03
gathered volume
Fashion Design / Womenswear
Born from the need to breathe, relax, and connect with nature. Breezy becomes an olive-green womenswear collection with soft draping, layered transparency, organic textures, and flowing silhouettes.
air / movement / ease
olive crepe + chiffon
Eveningwear Design
An eveningwear project built around a red floor-length dress with a fitted bodice and dramatic asymmetric skirt. Silhouette studies lead into technical development, toile fitting, corrections, and final textile direction.
adjust neckline ease
Valentine red
Academic Research Response
Fantasy Dress: A Charles James Research Response
A research response pairing Charles James's sculptural silhouettes with a dark blue-and-black concept inspired by Corpse Bride. The study moves through sketching, drape, construction experiments, and a completed gown.
sculpt the shoulder line
blue tulle / black crepe
Academic Conceptual Response
Candy Land: An Academic Response to Rei Kawakubo
An academic response to Rei Kawakubo through surreal confectionery and organic imagery, material exploration, technical development, and an original illustrated collection by Melissa.
volume as confection
original response / study
Academic response only. This is not a collaboration with Rei Kawakubo.
View the Candy Land projectIllustration / Concept Development
Dramatic botanical forms, flowing drapery, sharp silhouettes, and contrasting proportions develop from visual research into a six-look illustrated lineup, technical flats, textiles, and colorways.
botanical tension
coral chiffon / yellow satin
Exit / About the designer
Melissa's interest in fashion began in childhood, making clothing for dolls from recycled fabric. Her work draws on geometric forms and nature, balancing considered silhouettes with tactile detail. She studied fashion design at Miami Fashion Institute and works across illustration, pattern making, draping, construction, textiles, and digital design.