By Bella Stryker
Meet Mel+More: your newest shopping obsession. It’s an online boutique that has everything from cool edgy pieces to unique classics, and all for a reasonable price point.
A quick scroll on the site (click here!) tells you a lot about the brand. From the funky red logo to the edgy outfits, it’s clear this online boutique celebrates more than clothes; it’s the lovechild of two Dallas-based friends who transformed late-night laughs and fashion dreams into a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
One of the founders, Olivia Melville, has had a passion for fashion her entire life. She first waded into the industry at just 15 years old, working in retail sales in her hometown, New Orleans. From there, her love for it all spiraled, and she quickly found herself attempting to experience the entire industry.
After a few years— and working every fashion industry job under the sun— Melville moved to Dallas to work for Neiman Marcus corporate. However this time she was working on the buying side, which leaned far more analytical than creative. She found herself missing the moments where she could say, “this outfit is so fun, let’s buy this” rather than focusing on the item’s previous sales or current market trends. This realization ultimately led her to move jobs in order to satisfy her creative side.
Just as Melville was settling into her new path, one of her childhood friends, Gigi Morel, relocated to Dallas. Morel, also from New Orleans, is equally passionate about fashion.“I’ve always been very interested in it,” Morel shares, laughing as she adds, “but I have always just worked with kids, so you know, it’s not exactly relevant.”
Even with their full-time careers, Melville and Morel had often joked about starting a boutique together. One night after a dinner filled with laughter and brainstorms, Morel finally convinced Melville to pull the trigger. With a laugh and smile, Melville says she conceded by saying, “Whatever, let’s just do it.”
From there the boutique was born almost spontaneously, and the puzzle pieces fell perfectly into the place. The name, “Mel+More,” came from a blend of their last names: Melville and Morel. They also knew that they wanted a brand that captured their personalities and allowed them to do things their own way.
Morel said, “I felt there was a lot missing from the market, especially in New Orleans where we are both from. The boutiques there have all of the same stuff.”Together, the duo’s diverse tastes created a dynamic, ever-evolving collection of pieces.
Morel and Melville have different styles, with Melville saying, “She’s [Morel] a little bit edgier than I am and I’m a little more feminine, like I prefer things styled a certain way.”
However their juxtaposition in their personal styles is what makes their brand so unique in its items. Melville admits, “I think that’s where Gigi [Morel] and I work best. It’s really cool when we get to collaborate, because she styles things a certain way I would never think to, but I always love the result.”
One example of their unique pieces is their “Demi Denim Jacket.” While its a classic denim jacket, it also has an edgy twist due to the unique structural design. You can shop it here.
Another thing that sets Mel+More apart from other online boutiques is the founders’ shared commitment to careful curation. Melville and Morel don’t follow trends— they aim to curate a collection of unique pieces that reflect both of their tastes.
“We don’t go to Dallas Market. Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” Melville paused. “I feel like everyone goes there, and we are trying to curate a style that your not going to see everywhere else.”
The design process is a collaborative effort between the two, often involving discussions and compromises over the final selection of pieces.
“Basically its a lot of compromise,” says Morel. “We go through the cart together, and try to choose what will sell. Because we know what we like and what we will wear, but we have to figure out what will appeal to the masses.”
“It’s definitely the most challenging part for me,” Melville admits. “Learning how to be a team even when I really love a piece.”
But this collaboration is what makes their boutique special. Each piece reflects both of their personalities, and they even wear their own selections, serving as walking advertisements for their store. Morel says one of her favorite parts of the boutique is getting to be the walking advertisement.
“When people come up to me and ask where something is from, and I get to tell them its from my store— I love that. It’s the most rewarding part.”
For now, Melville and Morel are content to keep Mel+More as a side hustle, but they have big dreams for the future.
“The end goal is to have a warehouse or store front in New Orleans and just make that our full time gigs,” said Melville. “We’re 50/50 on whether we want a physical store or to stay online.”
