a few minutes with designer Melissa Akey of Thread Social

Melissa Akey, owner & designer, of Thread Social has the kind of personality that makes you feel like you have known her your whole life...although you have just met.  She makes you feel completely at ease with her cool, kind, down to earth personality.  Did I mention, beautiful and effortlessly stylish!  I had the chance to meet Melissa a couple of months ago and knew that a Q&A with her would be informative as well as lots of fun!  Check it out below and be sure not to miss Thread's Fall, Holiday & Resort 2011 collection which is amazing!  NEWS FLASH...be on the lookout for their little girls' line that is currently in the works...can you stand it???!!!  Thread Social can be found locally at Beanie + Cecil or online through Thread Social as well as shopbop. Happy Friday!  I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo,
helen

Melissa Akey of Thread Social

HW:  Who is your greatest fashion influence?

Melissa:  Marc Jacobs, Coco Chanel, Alber Elbaz, Consuelo Castiglioni.

HW:  Do you have any fashion muses?

Melissa:  Kate Moss, Diane Kruger, Kate Bosworth come to mind. Their style feels effortless and they always seem to get it right, on and off the red carpet.

HW:  What are your must haves for fall?

Melissa:  Thread Social feather print tea length paneled dress and Lurex Chiffon capelet dress.

HW:  What’s your top tried-and-true beauty product or must?

Melissa:  Ooh… I have so many favorites but I’m very loyal...


I love Tata Harper’s all natural skin care line. Crème de La Mer, Nars orgasm blush, Laguna bronzer and red square matte lip pencil (all of my color is pretty much Nars!), YSL mascara and I’ve recently discovered Clinique’s moisture surge tinted moisturizer which is fantastic. It’s light and creamy but provides excellent coverage.

HW:  Describe your style in 5 words or less.

Melissa:  Eclectic, forward, playful, comfortable, fresh.

HW:  Are you currently reading any good books?

Melissa:  I’m going back and forth between The Savage City and The Happiness Project.

HW:  Where are your favorite places to shop?

Melissa:  Net-a-Porter.com, Barneys New York, Topshop and Zara for great inexpensive finds.

HW:  Sweet or Savory?

Melissa:  Savory hands down (I’ve never met a French fry I didn’t like;). Although now that I’m pregnant I need a little of both!

HW:  If you could travel anywhere in the world – where would you go & why?

Melissa:  This is a tough one to narrow down as there is still so much of the world I’d like to discover. In the near future I’d love to visit South Africa, Egypt and Morocco.

HW:  Favorite era?

Melissa:  1970s.

HW:  What’s your favorite part of your job?

Melissa:  Having a great partner and working with a great group of women. Everyone is very supportive and relaxed yet motivated and proactive.

HW:  What is your greatest extravagance?

Melissa:  Travel, hands down. Luckily I have a husband who also wants to see the world. That’s always helpful;)

HW:  Do you have a favorite motto?

Melissa:  Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.

business partners & friends Melissa Akey & Beth Blake of Thread Social

Melissa's Must Haves for Fall

Thread Social feather print tea length paneled dress

 &

 Lurex Chiffon capelet dress

I HEART

Fall 2011 - color-blocked fitted skirt w/exposed zipper...oh so smart!

Holiday 2011 - full length t-shirt dress in mixed city lights print

Resort 2011 - peekaboo shift dress

Meet the Designer

You MUST plan on stopping by Beanie + Cecil on Thursday for the THREAD Social trunk show.  Meet designer Melissa Akey (she'll be there from 4-7)  I got an early peek at the collection and it is beautiful!  Melissa will have pieces from her fall 2011 collection too!  There is one long, white dress that makes me want to get married all over again as well as many versatile pieces that can be worn all year long.  If you are looking for the perfect cocktail dress...look no further!  Beanie + Cecil is located in Raleigh's Cameron Village - 412 Daniels Street - (919) 821-5455 or www.beanieandcecil.com  Owners Alex Long & Karen Lichtin do an amazing job keeping the store stocked with classics that you will wear long after the season has come and gone.

Beth Blake & Melissa Akey of Thread Social

 Beth Blake and Melissa Akey launched Thread Social in 2006, following the success of their fashion-forward bridal line Thread. A tribute to all things nostalgic and flirty, Thread Social is the New York girl's go-to design label for perfect party dresses and quirky separates.
Prior to launching Thread, Blake worked for Chanel and American Vogue, while Akey was at Barneys New York and Stila Cosmetics.
Both live in New York City.
 

black + white wave stripe - capelet easy dress w/ low back & front pockets

crinkle silk - off the shoulder balloon sleeve shirt dress, color: moss

liquid silk - ponti knit one-shoulder w/ oversize ruffle detail, color: ink

liquid ink slouchy short paired with striped denim tailcoat

gem print crinkle silk dress, color: multi

color blocked crisp cottons easy dress w/shoulder tie detail, colors: khaki, ivory & putty