Mélisse Martineau, the young founder and designer of a recently launched NYC based handbag label, the world starts and ends with the essence of femininity. But, beyond the simple bounds of pink and glitter. It’s about movement, craftsmanship, and maximalism in a world entrenched in minimalism. It’s about rejecting the confines of passive city trends and consumer culture in favor of developing a point of view that is distinctly your own.

All in a day’s run around New York, we sat down with Mélisse to talk sustainable brand-building, Chloé fangirling, C&K fall favorites, the stolen eBay package that inadvertently inspired her signature bag, and why, when it comes to overdressing, mother really does know best.

Read Giuliana Brida's full interview with Mélisse on Substack, and shop Mélisse's favorite C&K fall pieces below.