Mellany Sanchez has the keys to Drake’s ensemble
Instagram posts put her on the radar of rapper’s management team
Mellany Sanchez Hometown: Bushwick, Brooklyn
Now lives: In a sneaker-and-magazine-filled apartment on the same block where her father grew up in Bushwick.
Claim to fame: Sanchez first made a name for herself on Instagram, where she showcased fashion images from the 1990s and early 2000s alongside selfies and mirror pics where her own style is on display. Her personal esthetic is influenced by sportswear and sneaker culture, and it piqued the interest of Oliver El Khatib, who happened to work for Drake’s creative management. He connected Sanchez with Drake, and the two “clicked,” she said; she’s been his image director since August.
Big break: In 2013, while Sanchez was still a junior at New York University studying visual communication, she approached Ronnie Fieg, the owner of Kith, to become the creative director for the label, which at that time only had three employees (it now has about 180). Sanchez had known Fieg previously — as a teenager, she was a sneaker salesperson at David Z, which is owned by his uncle.
“We were able to build a community of kids who cared about what we cared about,” she said. “We made a language for the brand.”
Latest project: As Drake’s image director, Sanchez curates his wardrobe. She was also part of the team that directed the visuals on his new album, Scorpion: the music video outfits, the album cover and tour wardrobe.
She draws inspiration from his emotions.
“If Drake says he wants to feel strong, I recall the emotion I felt in certain clothing and think, ‘How do we recreate the emotionality of what people are wearing?’ ” she said.
Next thing: Sanchez is busy conceiving Drake’s outfits for his Aubrey & the Three Migos tour coming up. In the future, she wants to apply her knowledge of fashion to philanthropy. Her dream collaboration is a Nike product that benefits Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Learning from the past: Sanchez cares a lot about heritage, whether it’s classic brands such as Champion and Nike, or her Puerto Rican roots.
Creating looks can be costly and time-consuming. Here are tricks Sanchez learned along the way.
Start with research
Like a journalist, she always carries around a notebook and pen to jot down references that come up in conversations. She also looks for obscure images in early 2000s online forums and scouts for new artists on Instagram.
Function is style
“Safety plays a huge role in my dressing,” Sanchez said. “As a New Yorker, your savviness plays into your outfits.”
Her work uniform is a pair of Supreme Nike cargo pants with mesh pockets, which she packs with styling tools; a white Hanes T-shirt; a Gore-Tex jacket; and black running sneakers.
Add a sneaker
For as long as she can remember, Sanchez’s parents dressed her in classic Nike Air Max and Air Force One sneakers. She now has more than 75 pairs in her closet.