Spotlight on Accessory Designer Melody Eshani

Often times talented designers slip under the radar in the fashion and entertainment industry. LA native, Melody Ehsani, is surely one of them.

Melody Ehsani is an accessory designer who was born and raised in the sunny streets of Los Angeles. Ehsani’s journey to “sought-after accessory designer” is a peculiar one that hits home for me. Melody was born in one of the nation’s most popular cities and raised in a traditional Persian family where a woman’s ranking was defined by the man she married. The traditions that Eshani experienced growing up a 2nd generation-American in LA are traditions all too familiar to my very own NYC up bringing as a Muslim, West African female. Bottom line, the odds were against us. Adhering to her parent’s expectations, Ehsani graduated college and attempted to pursue law at a post-graduate institution in a greater pursuit to be a lawyer: Her parent’s dream. This comes as no surprise as I was expected to be a doctor: a career path most African parents wish their children would cohere to. After recognizing her parent’s career wishes were a misfit to her true calling, Melody decided to ditch the ~~‘lawyer gig’~~ to pursue her true passion, designing.

Fast forward a few years, we’re grateful that Melody did just that. Melody’s accessories have become an industry favorite and a fashion staple to some of our favorite celebrity personalities. The first time I recognized Melody’s work was in Keri Hilson‘s ‘Turnin Me On’ video where she sported opposing “ON” and “OFF” convo bubble rings.

Over the years, Melody’s work has snuck under the fashion radar and slowly dominated the accessory circuit: a silent killer, indeed. One of world’s greatest fashion muses, Rihanna, often rocks the designer’s distinct & vibrant pieces. In the two past weeks alone, Bad Gal Riri sported her favorite “Queen of The Jungle” necklace five times (yes-Instagram stalking to the full effect). Along with Rihanna, Melody’s work has been featured on industry heavy-hitters such as Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Keri Hilson, Amber Rose, Selita E Banks, Nicki Minaj, Lauryn Hill – catches breath- Jennifer Lopez, Cassie, and Chaka Khan (for god sakes!!). Designers like Melody inspire young and audacious entrepreneurs like myself. By honing in on her calling, Melody is able to single-handedly challenge the traditional expectations of the Persian woman that she once set out to be. In fact, “A portion from each pair of Ehsani shoes purchased will go towards the advancement and education of women in our society”. Civil service and fashion maverick at the same damn time- now that’s an equilibrium we all can appreciate.

Melody Ehsani:

By following my calling and making shoes and products, I am helping women resolve these kinds of paradoxes. I want to become my true self and be a vibrant member of a family and a community. I want the women who wear my shoes to have the same opportunity for equality, wholeness, and self expression. My style is inspired by paradox, controversy, justice and pushing the envelope in showing that you truly cant judge a book by its cover.