While working as a fashion designer out of her Marin boutique in the 1970s, Melody Sabatasso found herself with nothing to wear to a wedding. Sabatasso, who notoriously lived only in blue jeans, took apart a pair and turned it into a patchwork dress. It was a hit, eventually catching the attention of Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall.
Since then, the Greenbrae resident, known in design circles as Love, Melody, has designed for Marin icon Narada Michael Walden, former Mill Valley resident Grace Slick, of the Jefferson Airplane, and Sonny and Cher as well showcased her denim and leather works around the world, including the de young Museum.
In what she believes is a full circle moment, Sabatasso recently created pieces for Riley Keough — the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, whom she designed jumpsuits for — for her role as the title character on Amazon Prime Video’s new ’70s-era miniseries “Daisy Jones & the Six.”
Sabatasso, who works mainly with Levi’s jeans, will be showing some of her pieces at the company’s 150th anniversary event later this month.
Q How did “Daisy Jones & the Six” come together?
A I do believe they found me through Levi’s. They called me and asked me if I would design some clothes, and this is without them knowing I did Elvis Presley’s jumpsuits. They said, “The girl who’s starring in it is Elvis Presley’s granddaughter. I said, “You’re kidding. Did you know I made a couple of suits for her grandpa?” They flipped out and ordered a couple of pieces from me, which I made. In episode nine, when she’s in Pittsburgh and she comes out the plane, she’s wearing a denim and leather coat I made. I made another piece that’s shown briefly in another scene. It’s a great series. I am still in awe.
Q What got you into fashion?
A My mother, Alma Petti, was a fashion designer, doing work with the poodle skirt. I was brought up around fashion and my mom was an incredible designer, my hero. I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and then came to California early in the ’70s.
Q Does it blow your mind how everything changed after that dress?
A My whole entire life story blows my mind. What blows my mind more than anything is that people kept all these pieces for so long, some bring them back after 50 years. I had one kid who comes to me and brings me one of the first things I ever made. He says my mom just died and when they were cleaning things out, he found this piece and there was a letter in there that said, “After I go, if you can find Love, Melody, please return this piece to her. When I wore this, it was the greatest time in my life.” He was crying, I was crying. It was special.
Q How did things come together with Bacall?
A My girlfriend was working the Cannery in the city and she had nothing to wear. I said wear this outfit and that’s when Bacall saw it. She came to my little studio in San Anselmo in a limousine, I was 22 or 23 years old, and the rest is history. She left and said to me, “When do you think I’ll have my outfit?” I said, “Well, I only work when I feel it,” and she said, “If you don’t mind, could you possibly feel it because I have a play to do in San Francisco.” I didn’t have a dime, so I hitchhiked to the city to her room at the Huntington Hotel. Later, she walked me to her elevator and all I can remember is my mother saying, “Don’t forget to charge her. She won’t appreciate and respect you unless you charge her.” I charged her maybe around $120 for the jacket and $150 for the skirt. She asked, “That’s just the deposit?” and I said, “No, that’s for the whole thing.” She sent me a check for a little under $1,000. It was a beautiful moment. It was very sweet.
Q Are fashion and music entwined for you?
A Yes. I am from New York City, I had never listened to country western music. I did pieces for like Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson’s wife and Emmylou Harris. All these country western people were buying my stuff so I had to switch on the radio. I have to support them, they’re supporting me. And now, my son introduces me as “This is my mother from New York City, a wannabe cowgirl.”
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