With Milwaukee Fashion Week right around the corner, I thought this would be the perfect time to do a series on some local designers!

My first designer piece shines the spotlight on Madalyn Joy Designs. She is local designer who specializes in lingerie. You may have seen her work recently in M Magazine or on runways all over Milwaukee. Her collection is the perfect mix of classy and sexy while having the most impeccable details in every piece.

Madalyn Joy Manzeck graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Dean's High Honors in May 2016. She received a Bachelor of Science in Textile and Apparel Design. She interned with Paul Andrew and Donna Karan at New York Fashion Week and spent the summer of 2015 as the Fabric Research and Development intern at Global Brands Group located in the Empire State Building in New York City. Instead of working her way up the corporate ladder upon graduation, Madalyn decided to pursue her own designs and works as a fashion designer, creating items for her own brand, Madalyn Joy Designs.

Madalyn Joy Designs is a bespoke lingerie collection that embraces and celebrates contemporary femininity, body positivity and female empowerment. The modern women who wear Madalyn Joy lingerie feel beautiful and confident while rocking classic silhouettes with delicate lacy details and modern bold lines. Today’s modern woman is complex and multi-faceted, and Madalyn Joy lingerie has been developed with that lifestyle in mind.

OnMilwaukee: How would you describe your personal style?

Madalyn Joy Manzeck: Classic with a twist! I love really classic staple pieces such as a good pair of jeans, blazer, comfy flat, LBD, etc. – but all with a twist in the details! I have a black blazer with fun bell sleeves that I just can’t get enough of right now!

If you could switch closets with any celeb, who would it be and why?

Olivia Palermo without a doubt! I just adore her style because I feel like she is really good at taking classic pieces and putting a really modern twist on them. Maybe she will wear a simple LBD but have a really striking statement shoe or coat to really take the look to the next level.

Your lingerie pieces are stunning! Tell us how you started as a lingerie designer?

I always say it was a happy accident! I ordered this gorgeous black lace fabric from Mood Fabrics to use for an evening gown inspired by Beyonce, but once I received the fabric, I thought it would look better as a robe. In my critique, all of my peers and professors said that lingerie is what I should do! They told me it was my niche because all of the fabrics I liked to use, like satin and lace, lent themselves to the world of lingerie. I created my Senior Thesis around lingerie and haven’t looked back!

Where do you draw inspiration from for your collections?

I really have two sources of inspiration: women and haute couture.

Every garment I make is for a woman, whether that be a model or a client. I have always been inspired by the female body and love creating garments that enhance its natural shape and beauty. I am inspired by all different kinds of women in my life, from family to friends to models to business women to bloggers to CEOs to moms and everyone in between. Women are inspiring because they are so multifaceted and can wear so many hats.

I also am very inspired by haute couture silhouettes and embellishment techniques, whether it be a sleeve style or applique design. I love applying these decadent techniques to my lingerie because it makes the garment feel worthy of being worn on the outside. Some of the most beautiful pieces I own are my lingerie so why not find ways to incorporate them into everyday looks!? Whether it be a bodysuit paired with jeans and a blazer or a black lacy bra under a white button down, I’m all for that subtle peek of lingerie during the day and haute couture techniques can help with that.

You work with clients of all shapes and sizes to help them look and feel sexy, which I love! So tell me what is one item that every woman needs to to feel sexy?

Every single woman is beautiful no matter what shape or size. She really doesn’t need anything besides herself to feel beautiful and sexy, but if I had to pick a lingerie piece, I would have to say a good silky satin robe! I created this robe style that ties like a wrap dress around the waist, and it is so flattering on every shape and size. It is perfect for getting ready in during the morning or lounging in while sipping on a glass of wine after a hot bath.

You are showcasing at MFW this year! What can we expect from your collection?

My new collection that I will be debuting at Milwaukee Fashion Week is called "Flora and Fauna." It has a very magical and enchanting feel to it! My color palette is reflective of the transitional nature of September, and it will start with the summery hues of champagne and blush and work its way into the coveted fall color of bordeaux. This collection is primarily made of heavily appliqued and embellished lace bodysuits and tiered tulle skirts. Very feminine and floral!

You do custom pieces as well! If any of the readers wanted to work with you on custom work or purchase from your collections, where can they find you?

Yes, I specialize in bespoke lingerie but love to work on custom designs as well. I can do anything and everything from coats to evening gowns. Everything you see on my website is for sale. I create a collection and photograph the samples so clients can see it and order a look that will be made just for them in their size. Of course, I always offer the option to customize any of the looks as well. My website is a one stop shop for all of my collections and definitely is the best place to go if you are interested in purchasing or working together!