Celebrating Style, Culture, and Confidence.
What inspired the name FABB?
The name FABB was inspired by a deeply personal and transformative moment in founder Melanie Melendez’s life. Fashion and Brown Beauty began as a passion-driven initiative to design products that celebrate the beauty, genius, heritage, culture, and artistry of the African Diaspora.
FABB was born out of Melanie’s desire to educate and uplift, sparked by a poignant experience with her youngest daughter. At just four years old, her eldest daughter described a Black Barbie doll as "disgusting mud," revealing the profound impact of societal messages on self-perception. Determined to instill a sense of pride and self-love, Melanie transformed her home decor, filling it with positive images of Black history and art. This intentional shift served as a daily reminder that Black is beautiful, shaping the foundation of what would become FABB—a movement dedicated to empowering others through Fashion and Brown Beauty.
Our Mission
At The Blooming Path, we empower individuals and families to transform challenges into strengths through compassionate, peer-led support. We are committed to creating a healing environment grounded in empathy, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practice. By offering tailored guidance, practical life-skills coaching, and seamless access to community resources, we partner with you to set achievable goals and celebrate every step forward. Our aim is to foster resilience, amplify your voice, and build a sustainable foundation for long-term wellness and growth.
MISSION
Fashion and Brown Beauty focuses on the transformative power of creativity through programs that build skills, confidence, and self-expression. We also celebrate representation through curated accessories, home decor.
VISION
Our vision is to create a world where fashion-art empower young minds, celebrate individuality, and inspire self-expression. FABB aims to shape a future where every individual feels confident, seen, and valued.
My story From the heart
I didn’t fully grasp the power of representation until becoming a mother, when I realized that despite my efforts, I was falling short in connecting my children with their culture. That moment sparked a deep determination to use fashion as a tool for inspiration and empowerment through both curriculum and apparel.
Meet The Founder
Get to Know Me
New York-based designer, founder and teacher Melanie operates at the intersection of design and youth outreach. Growing within these fields, she created FABB. Melanie is a multi-hyphenate visionary who draws inspiration from culture and representation. With over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry and more than 5 years supporting children with behavioral health challenges, she seamlessly combines creativity and compassion. As an FIT graduate and the founder of Fashion and Brown Beauty, Melanie develops fashion-art programs for underserved children. Melanie firmly believes in the transformative power of creativity to help children overcome challenges and build essential life skills. Additionally, she operates an e-commerce business featuring pop culture-inspired designs that celebrate and amplify authentic representation.
