Raw Materials by Melissa Rajsky - Fashion

“We already have everything we need, we just need to make it into what we want.”

This is the philosophy for the new clothing line aptly named Raw Materials by Melissa Rajsky. Where others see an obsolete pair of men’s pants, Melissa sees the perfect shape for a cocktail dress. A work shirt is given new life as a bustier top. The salvaged pieces of clothing undergo a process of ripping, stripping, twisting and turning to make the transformation into their new lives as couture. Melissa sees the potential in each unwanted garment and treats it like the rare treasure that it is.

This self-taught designer has her background in advertising design. After enjoying several years of family life, she was ready to redefine her sense of style. She was searching for something fun and youthful that represented her former daredevil style while remaining age-appropriate and friendly for her everyday life. She did not find a label that could compliment the varying lifestyles of her peers, so she began to design her own.

At the encouragement of a friend, she entered the first casting of Bravo's Project Runway. With only five days to design her first collection and with no real design experience behind her, she made it to the semi-finals and edged out hundreds of qualified designers. The praise of editors at Elle acted as a boost of courage to take this idea to the level of a full-blown business.

Her original designs quickly spread to appeal to women of all ages from their twenties to their fifties, from California stylists and Winter Park socialites to business professionals and mothers. Anyone who has a hip, young attitude and a love of high fashion will love this look. Raw Materials capitalizes on the individual and the uniqueness of every woman. It has a sense of strength and femininity that is becoming for all of us. Being the woman you are has never been so fashionable.