Reference, inheritance and meaning: the creative process of Melina Passaglia

A stylist and fashion producer was born in Goiânia, but it was in São Paulo that she found herself in the fashion world. While still in college, Melina has already completed several projects for brands and magazines - and she says that since she was little, her inspiration came from the stacks of magazines she had at home.

We spoke with Melina about her creative process, her inspirations and references, and above all, about the fashion industry. Check it out below:

1. Can you tell us about some of the most recent projects you have done? Is there any particular project that stands out?

Recently, I have been doing several personal projects with professionals I admire very much. It's great when ideas complement each other and form something special. In a little while, we will see the results of a super special project with my friend and photographer João Almeida.

2. How do you select the brands and designers you collaborate with?

I always look for small national brands that haven’t had much visibility yet; we have countless incredible Brazilian artists who don’t get the recognition they deserve. I also love to look for work by fashion students around me.

3. What was the most challenging project you have faced and how did you overcome it?

I feel that at the beginning, everything was very challenging for me. I entered the market very unprepared, right after starting college, but there were things that I later realized I would only learn through practical work.

4. What is your creative process like when creating looks for editorials or specific clients?

For me, the creative process is something constant; I don’t know when it started and I don’t know when it will end. Everything I see and experience becomes a reference, so I always like to take notes and photos of everything I like. When I have an editorial, I gather the references that make sense and start creating; often, I only have something in my head and I start drawing, writing, making notes until I can consolidate an idea that others will understand. My mind is always racing.

5. What are your main sources of inspiration when putting together a styling?

My family has always been a significant style reference for me, from the looks my grandmother wore in the 70s to what my mother wore in the 90s. I always look around me too; anything can become a source of inspiration.

6. Do you have any fashion icon or stylist you admire that influences your work?

I decided to go to fashion school after watching Alexander McQueen's VOSS show - he will always be my biggest influence for being someone who innovated so much.

7. Has there been any moment or feedback from a client that was especially gratifying for you?

Yes! The best feedback is when the client says that the work wouldn’t have worked without you; in those moments, I think that everything is worth it!

8. Have you ever had to deal with any criticism or negative feedback? How did you handle it?

In the beginning, there were several disappointments that I was not prepared for; it was very difficult regarding direct client relationships, but they are inevitable situations that I learned to handle over time.

9. What are your goals and aspirations for the next few years in your career as a stylist?

My main goal is to be able to convey my creative vision to the world, to show a little of what goes on in my head. Additionally, I have been passionate about magazines since childhood; it’s something that runs in the family, and I want to be increasingly focused on that!

10. Is there any type of project or collaboration that you haven’t done yet but would like to pursue in the future?

I really want to venture into the world of jewelry. Ever since I took jewelry design classes, I can’t stop thinking about it; I have always loved manual work, and it’s something I have fallen in love with.

11. What do you hope to see more in the fashion industry in the coming years?

That young people have opportunities to enter the market! The fashion world is very closed off, leaving out people with great potential; we have brilliant minds with new ideas everywhere in Brazil.

12. Since childhood, have you felt a passion for fashion, or was it something that ignited over time?

The passion for fashion has always been with me; when I was a child, my mother would always have my clothes made as she wanted, but most of the time, I didn’t like them and chose my own outfit. I remember that when it was the June festival, I never wanted to rent the dress for the square dance because I thought it was boring; I always wanted to wear a plaid shirt. When I was about 6 years old, I wore a plaid shirt, a suede skirt, and made several crepe paper flowers to put on it, with my boots, of course.

13. We know that your roots aren’t in São Paulo, but in Goiânia. During this transition, was there any fear of exploring a new horizon?

Moving to São Paulo was a huge dream, and I couldn’t wait to get there. I finished high school early just to speed things up, and everything went better than I had ever imagined. Goiânia became a place for me to rest, to miss home, and to remember how things were before the chaos of the fashion world.

14. When you arrived here, was there any influence or event that reaffirmed that you were on the right path?

I found myself when I started working in fashion production for magazines. My house always had stacks and stacks of magazines, and being part of that was something I never imagined. At home, we had folders with cut-out magazine pages of everything my mother liked; it was our "Pinterest" - whenever we wanted a new outfit, we would go straight to the folder for inspiration.

15. Besides your professional journey, is there any hobby or activity you enjoy doing in your leisure time?

I have always had a passion for manual work, the more complex, the better. Today, I’m lucky enough to combine this with my work, making my own accessories, ceramics, paintings, and arrangements, to give everything my personal touch! But, when I’m tired of all this, just a psychological horror movie to relax, but it has to be one of those that leave you anxious.