The Mela Handbag Story
Design. Innovation. Made in the USA.
Opening a store is no small feat — especially when it comes on the heels of creating your own textile, launching a handbag factory in the U.S., and crafting a brand identity that stands out in a saturated fashion market. Yet that’s exactly what Neel Elsherif, founder of Mela, has achieved.
Born and raised in the U.S. to Egyptian parents, Elsherif’s creative journey began in couture. After studying fashion design and business at Moore College of Art & Design and completing a program at Harvard Business School, she joined the atelier of celebrated designer Frank Agostino. “I worked in couture for almost eight years learning how to design collections, hand-cut expensive materials, and oversee the entire production process,” she recalled.