Melissa Odabash
United Kingdom
Melissa Odabash is a London-based luxury swimwear label founded by the American designer and former model of the same name. It sells through its own boutiques and through department stores internationally.
| Founder | Melissa Odabash |
|---|---|
| Based in | London |
| First store | Notting Hill, London, 2007 |
| Reach | Over 48 countries, 250+ department stores |
| Segment | Lingerie, swimwear and hosiery |
| Website | odabash.com |
What is Melissa Odabash?
Melissa Odabash is a luxury swimwear and resortwear brand named after its designer, an American former model who is based in London. According to Wikipedia she began by making swimwear by hand and selling it to independent boutiques in Milan.
History
Wikipedia gives a 2004 collaboration with Speedo as an early milestone and 2007 as the year the first store opened in Notting Hill, London. A second store followed in Chelsea. In 2012 the designer developed a line of unisex hats. The founding year of the label itself is not stated in the source used.
Products and positioning
The label is known for swimwear, with beach and ready-to-wear collections alongside. Vogue described the designs as the Ferraris of swimwear, according to the Wikipedia article, which also lists well-known wearers of the brand.
Business model and distribution
- Own retail: boutiques in Notting Hill and Chelsea, London
- Wholesale: sold in more than 250 department stores in over 48 countries, as stated by the source
- Category extensions: beach, ready-to-wear and hats
Recognition
Wikipedia reports that the designer received an honorary MBE in June 2021 for services to international swimwear fashion, won Designer of the Year at the Salon International de la Lingerie in 2014 and Retailer of the Year in 2015, and received the Designer Icon Award at Miami Swim Week in 2026.
Why it matters
Melissa Odabash is a leading British name in luxury swimwear, and an example of a founder-led label that combines its own boutiques with international department store distribution. Ownership details are not stated in the source, so no group is named here.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Melissa Odabash?
The sources used do not describe the ownership structure. The brand is named after and founded by the designer Melissa Odabash.
Is Melissa Odabash a luxury brand?
Yes. It is positioned as a luxury swimwear label, and Vogue is quoted as calling its designs the Ferraris of swimwear.