The Emerging Designer is a network that provides resources, news, tips and exposure to up-and-coming fashion talent. Based in New York, we seek to promote local and international designers to build a fashion community. Whether your line is in development, just launching, or thriving at a few years out, all designers, retailers and industry professionals are welcome to be a part of The Emerging Designer network.
Shot by Quan Mai, Makeup by Maria Ortega and Instagramed by me.
Melissa Hall is the founder of The Emerging Designer. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A native of Chicago, she worked at Draftfcb and Leo Burnett in account management for over six years working on brands such as Kraft, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s and KFC before moving to NYC to start her career in fashion.
Earning her second degree at Parsons The New School of Design, studying Fashion Design, she has been able to fuse her fashion and marketing background to take on every opportunity that New York has to offer.
From event production, sales, writing, styling and consulting, Melissa’s skills are diverse. Her experience allows her to provide clients and brand partners with a 360 view of the fashion industry.
RETAIL
With over 8 years of retail experience, she has touched both the consumer and wholesale side of the business. She worked at Pottery Barn in Chicago for 5 years and managed various sample sale and pop-up shops throughout New York. Contracted by various independent companies, she has worked over 10 different trade shows over multiple seasons including ENK’s The Coterie, Accessories Circuit, The New York International Gift Fair and The Stationary Show doing everything from sales, merchandising and modeling.
EVENT MANAGEMENT
She has produced major events like the Independent Handbag Designer Awards hosted by InStyle and Handbag Designer 101 and Social Media Week New York for the past three years. Now, Melissa hosts Meetups for The Emerging Designer.
Melissa has also worked with various brands and marketing companies to manage and help execute over 100 guerrilla marketing activations and special events for brands such as Blackberry, Samsung, Nintendo, Virgin Mobile, Bloomingdales, Pop Chips, Gatorade, Jamba Juice, Heineken, Amstel Light, Citibank, Duane Reade, Dunkin Donuts and Women’s Wear Daily.
STYLING
After Parsons, she began styling and as has worked on projects and brands such as Smirnoff’s Global Nightlife Exchange featuring Madonna, Macy’s, Kellogg’s, Nutella, Tampax, Always, E-Trade, Lunesta, Downy, Smart Money magazine and TRESemmé.
TEACHING & CONSULTING
Melissa has been a marketing instructor at FIT teaching in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies for over two years. She has also been a part of several university initiatives such as Design Entrepreneurs NYC, a mini-MBA program for New York designers and has taught in the ESL Summer Intensive program.
She consults fashion designers, small businesses and companies looking to get a greater understanding of the fashion business.
In 2013, Melissa Hall was named a New York Fashion Fellow, a fellowship program given to rising talent in fashion business.
Outside of fashion, Melissa can be found roaming the streets of the East Village finding good eats and street art. Connect with her at MelissaHallNY.com and on Twitter Follow @melissahallny
Feel free to connect at hello@theemergingdesigner.com.
