With her wanderlust inducing aesthetic and inspiring art direction Mel Moranelli is the gorgeous Canadian creative behind everyone's favourite instagram to follow, @___m__e__l. She is also one of our own brand muses. We chat with Mel about what keeps her inspired, her scent memories, rituals, music, and poetry ...

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

Everyone knows me by Mel. I am a Canadian woman sharing her positive mind over Instagram. I see life through my daydreams and then attempt to convey them through photography and poetry for everyone to watch and inspire. Although, my creativity goes beyond my Instagram. I live and breathe photography and content creation. It is my career, it is part of my mornings and my evenings. I am fully enveloped in the entire process and therefore consider myself an Artist.

FAVOURITE THING ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE

My favorite thing about Montreal is its diversity. I live in a city that is diverse in people, culture and talent. Your circle of friends can consist of people from all walks of life. There is a genuine connection between each other and I feel like I would not find that anywhere else.

 

DESCRIBE YOUR AESTHETIC IN YOUR OWN WORDS

My aesthetic is part of my artistry. It is the minimalism that I put in my photographs and paintings. It is the romance I sing in my poetry. I keep my aesthetic minimal because I want my story and art to speak for itself. Whereas my style does speak louder than my aesthetic at times. I love dressing in adornments and finely curated garments. I love dressing up and at times, more feels better.

 Each layer was fragrant.
Every note hung onto the last.
Creating a story about
How two people met,
Lead complicated lives
and still found one another.
She wanted her perfume to read like romance.
Like she has been loved,
and been loved right.
- mel

LOVE YOUR POETRY, HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INSPIRED TO WRITE? PLANS FOR IT?

I have always loved music and poetry. From a very young age, I would write and enter contests to have my poems published. My english teacher was a big advocate for this. I even got one of my poems published in a book and a newspaper. As I grew up, I came to a crossroads and I had to make a decision. Follow the study of Literature or Business. Truth is, I felt litterature would always be part of me and so I chose the latter. Now, well into my career, I hope the next step is exploring more opportunities for writing. Hopefully a book one day, it is on my bucket list.

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST SOURCES OF INSPIRATION?

My biggest source of inspiration are women. I feel so empowered and privileged to be a woman and therefore find that other women to be most intriguing. Most inspiring. I write about them in my poetry, I consider them in my dress and aspire to be like some of them in my life.

 

HOW DO YOU FIND WAYS TO ESCAPE?

My husband and I work so hard and are always on the go, therefore my escape, is my home. I am able to look around and in real time see the hard work I put into ensuring I have a roof over my head. I can never take that for granted. Although, if I want a real escape from my walls, it is through watching the sun rise and set each day. That time is for me and me alone.

 

FAVOURITE SELF-CARE RITUALS?

Wearing perfume is a self-care ritual for me. Especially, in a time where we never leave our home. A simple spray or dab of oil can completely convert your mood. It's the reason why we light candles and burn incense, except with perfume you get to take it wherever you go.

 

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO LATELY?

Every single morning, I play Lord Huron - Lost in Time and Space on my record player. Beachy Girl by Jye in the evenings.

FAVOURITE ST. ROSE FRAGRANCE?

Juliet in White & Desert Nomad

 

BEST SCENT MEMORY?

My husband. When we are apart and the memory his scent sings to me, I completely melt.