1) How did the two of you meet?

We both have an extensive history working in the bridal industry- I was first in retail and Kimberly in wholesale so our paths crossed in 2010 when Kimberly was my Monique Lhuillier sales rep.  Then in 2014 after many years in retail, I was really lucky to have the opportunity to move into wholesale where Kimberly and I worked for one of our favorite people of all time, Lori Weisman.  Then, as they say, the rest is history. 

2) What are your backgrounds before forming the company? 

We both started our careers in bridal in 2007.  Kimberly started her bridal journey at Priscilla of Boston working with brands like Melissa Sweet and Reverie.  She went on to work at JLM at the launch of Hayley Paige and following that she landed at Monique Lhuillier.  I come from the retail world with an extensive past in managing and buying brands like Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and of course then we met when the bridal salon I was managing picked up Monique Lhuillier.  With our diverse backgrounds, we really consider both the retailers and the designers in all of our business decisions in both Melange de Blanc and our sister company, Coterie White.   

3) When did you start Mélange de Blanc and what is the concept? 

We created Melange de Blanc in 2020.  Through our sister company, Coterie White, we were in a unique position where we had relationships with hundreds of stores, some of which were still open during covid and were ready to invest in new stock.  Many designers understandably skipped a season or chose not to show at all in 2020 as NYC was closed down so we thought to create a more regional luxe pop up market to take select brands that wanted to show.  The first season we physically drove the dresses from city to city starting in Palm Springs, California ending in Atlanta, Georgia.  We realized that it was incredible to have a more intimate market where we felt like we were able to make a stronger connection to the buyers and really take the time to get to know their needs to help support them.  As Melange de Blanc has grown exponentially from a small hotel in Palm Springs to over 50,000 square feet on 5th Avenue our priority has never changed: we want to provide an atmosphere that buyers and designers can comfortably operate and make meaningful connections. 

4) How many markets to you show in? 

We currently show seasonally in NYC and Palm Beach.  Over the last few years, we have created pop ups in many other cities from Scottsdale to Atlanta but are currently focusing our efforts on an amazing new location for Melange de Blanc that will take us internationally for 2024.  Can’t wait to share more!

5) How does it work? What services to you provide? 

Melange de Blanc is considered an all inclusive boutique bridal market so we provide everything to the designers at no charge from garment racks to hangers, furniture, signage and steamers.  We even can supply the brands with packing tape, new boxes and a scheduler to book appointments.  Because we serve so many international brands, it has been our goal to create an experience that a designer can show up and have what they need and not need to worry about organizing their own rentals and all the many stressors that come as a designer for market.  

With that being said, we have an advantage as our sister company is a thriving sales agency with hundreds of retailers.  So, we do offer services that the designer can opt in for a short term contract with Coterie White where our sales agency can guide the brand on targeting the right stores, strategizing their pricing, size charts and sales materials to align with the US market, etc.  We have limited availability for these spots but it certainly makes the experience of selling in a new country a bit easier as every global territory is so vastly different in the retailer’s needs and requirements!

6) Tell us about the new expanded space in NYC? 

We are so proud of the new expanded space in NYC.  This will be our first season on our newly finished 7th floor so to celebrate we will have a party (details soon to come!) with a runway installation during one of the evenings of the market.   The 7th floor of our building underwent a massive renovation to knock down walls, raise ceilings and paint them white, add track lighting, redo floors and more.  With those updates, we now have over 250 ft of windows on 5th avenue, 37th street and 38th street for beautiful natural lighting.  We are bringing in a marketing guru this season to offer mid market content creation in one of the really beautifully lit areas so that designers can have up to date content and stores can have access to it immediately as well!  We always try to listen to the needs of both the needs of the designers and buyers and we feel that the feedback we’ve received has been utilized for a beautiful new edition of Melange de Blanc.

7) How many designers can you take on?

In NYC, we have exceeded 50 brands in the past and to maintain the integrity of the boutique feel we never want to surpass 75 brands.  In Palm Beach we will always keep it intimate and only allow 20 brands to show with us. 

8) Is the show curated?

Based on the feedback of buyers, we have always strived to offer a range of brands at all price points and make our space as much of a one stop shop as possible but with a boutique feel.  A lot of my luxury retailers still need dresses in that $3,000 price point while many of my moderate stores are now seeing budgets come up and want to buy something in the $7,000+ range so while our price range is vast ($2,000 - $20,000 SRP), we do our best to bring the absolute best of each category so that buyers can have a great selection of brands to choose from.   Our three categories are New & Niche, Trendy and Couture - we are always looking to keep a balance! 

9) Is there a specific price point to be accepted?  

Our range is not dependent on price point but we make sure to offer buyers the full range of $2,000 - $20,000 SRP - we have a great offering in all categories.  We have many clients from many countries that attend Melange so what might serve our Japanese partners well could perhaps not be what our European buyers are looking for so we keep a broad range and focus on aesthetic and our three categories: New & Niche, Trendy and Couture.

10) How do you see your business growing in the future?

We are thrilled with what has been achieved in such a short time all thanks to the wonderful designers and buyers we are so lucky to work with.   It helps that in our minds, we are first reps and buyers and then second market curators, so we try to think of all perspectives as decisions are made.  We have tested the market in many territories in the United States and feel very confident with NYC as we continue to edit and grow that market and love the Palm Beach market so with that being said the next growth will be internationally!