Melanie Kyles is a contemporary embroidery artist based in Newcastle, UK. Creating fresh yet timeless hand embroidered pieces from her own original designs, her values embrace sustainable fashion and contemporary craftsmanship, using her platform to challenge outdated perceptions of needlework and to raise awareness and solutions to issues within the fashion industry through exhibitions, events and tuition.

Having exhibited her artwork internationally with Vane gallery and Ampersand Inventions, she has also featured on Made in Tyne & Wear, BBC Newcastle and La Di Da magazine for her work on craftsmanship and sustainable fashion. She works with a range of clients and also independently from her studio The Fashion Lab, hosting talks and workshops on sewing, embroidery and mending.

ETHOS by Melanie Kyles

The idea for the business

Since then Melanie’s work, of both a wearable and conceptual nature, has been featured in fashion shows within the north east and has reached an global audience through international exhibition, publication and sale. In 2017 Melanie decided to focus on her business full time and, since then, has developed a portfolio of both wearable and static artwork that rings true to the core values of both her person and brand.

Melanie Kyles organic, low carbon and fair trade t-shirts

Ethics

Melanie’s sense of social and environmental responsibility stemmed from her extensive research into sustainability within the fashion industry. As the sole owner of the Melanie Kyles brand, she selects materials and garments with quality, ethics and minimised environmental impact at the forefront of her decisions.

Work in progress on a bespoke bridal commission

Contemporary Craftsmanship

A unique skill mix in the areas of art, craft and fashion have meant that Melanie has developed a strong respect for the act of handcrafting items. Heritage plays an important role in the nature of embroidery, something which Melanie pays homage to by using contemporary art background to safeguard the craft.

Studio

The Fashion Lab has been curated to a fresh, graphic and vibrant taste, building on cork wall foundations and spacious desks to including a 6ft resin sewing bench and colourful wall graphics. Melanie’s playfulness, love of learning and appreciation for luxury is interlaced with each experience and ensures every client feels refreshed and inspired.

Community

Melanie is passionate about creating a culture around the relationship between art and craftsmanship in a contemporary context, as well as exploring creative industries in a wider societal and environmental context. She wants to use her platform and brand to create a two-way conversation about these topics.