Meeting the girl from Brazil in New York

Weve been in New York for a couple of days now and our schedule has been packed with meetings: lunch with international designers, drinks with new contacts and brainstorming sessions with branding experts. But today were having a day off! Were going to have a stroll through Central Park, have lunch at Dean & Deluca and maybe head to MoMA in the afternoon. No! says Anouk as we finish breakfast, lets go and see my friend Melissa first, shes really great, youll like her.

Ok, I say as I finish my caffe latte. Ive never heard you mention her before. What does she do? I met her several times in So Paulo, says Anouk. Shes amazing youll see, very trendy and creative I guess shes in her early thirties. She works with creators from all over the world: Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Campana Brothers, even with the architect Zaha Hadid. Wow, thats a pretty impressive list... Yeah, and on top of that shes just launched her own design academy. And so what does she design? Youll see, youll see, Anouk says with a mysterious little smile as we head out of the hotel. Last time I saw her, she told me to come and visit her if we ever came to New York, as she was about to move here. Anouk pulls out a small map. Shes down on Greene Street in SoHo I love that neighbourhood and I think it really suits Melissas style as well. Ok, lets go! I say as we head down 7th Avenue. Im curious to hear her story! I have the feeling she wants to conquer the world, says Anouk. First her own gallery on

Oscar Freire, the trendiest street in So Paulo; now shes in New York... I wonder what shes planning next! Well, I guess were about to find out, I say as we stroll past SoHos trendy boutiques and art galleries into Greene Street. So does she know were coming by the way? Yes she does! Anouk turns to me with a big smile and points at a colourful shop window. Here we are: Galeria Melissa! Hang on... now Im confused: is Melissa your friend or is it a brand? Anouk, are you making friends with brands now?

Anouk laughs. Shes both: an amazing shoe brand that creates more than just shoes theyre fashion accessories. Shes a global fashion icon.
2012 CoolBrands - Around the World in 80 Brands Read more stories on: www.coolbrandshouse.com www.aroundtheworldin80brands.com Order a book on: www.coolbrands.org Tags: Global Storytelling Campaign, Anouk Pappers, Maarten Schfer, Around the World in 80 Brands, Around the World, 80 Brands, Around the World in 80 days, CoolBrands Storytelling, Storytelling, CoolBrands, cool storytelling, third party storytelling, creating talk value, storytelling, Melissa, brazilian fashion, shoe brand, Paulo Antonio pedo filho, paulinho filho, Luciana ceccon, Luciana, ceccon, paulinho, filho, marcius, dal bo, marcius dal bo, Melissa shoes, plastic dreams, galeria Melissa soho, galeria Melissa sao Paulo, sao Paulo fashion week, Jason wu, jean paul gaultier, zaha hadid, Melissa academy, melflex, edson matsuo, edson, matsuo, Geneva university of art and design, more than a shoe, design, fashion accessory, oscar freire, new york