Melanie Wendy DiSalvo

Melanie DiSalvo began her fashion career in product development after graduating cum laude from the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Textile Development and Marketing program.

DiSalvo has spent much of her career in fabric mills and clothing factories overseas in China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, India, and the Dominican Republic, managing supply chains and developing performance and price based products for customers, including Eileen Fisher, Rag & Bone, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, AG Jeans, Abercrombie & Fitch, LandsEnd, Tommy Hilfiger, Club Monaco, Walmart, Target, KMart, Macy's, Hunter Boot, Alex Mills by Alex Drexler, Nili Lotan, and others.

DiSalvo focuses specifically on the intersection of fashion and manufacturing in developing countries, which she uses to foster partnerships with American brands and overseas suppliers. After being exposed to the harsh realities of overseas manufacturing, DiSalvo became dedicated to helping brands create more environmentally friendly supply chains.

This year she has was asked to speak at SXSW on the panel Sustainability and Ethics in Fashion Technology as well as lead the SXSW meet-up Manufacturing for a Better tomorrow, and has been featured in WWD, Forbes, LiveStrong, Parents Magazine and is a contributing writer for Eluxe Magazine and Fashion Revolution.