Three Storey Design

Claire Mellalieu is the creative force behind Three Storey Design, a brand born in Autumn 2022 on the third floor of her townhouse in Whalley Range, South Manchester.

After 23 years as a clothing designer, Claire decided to embark on a new adventure. She took time away from the fast-paced fashion industry to reconnect with the world of craft, a space where she could again work with her hands and embrace the creative freedom she had missed.

She is also deeply passionate about reducing the environmental impact of her products.

Inspired by nature, she loves to use traditional techniques to create vibrant colours and prints derived from local botanical sources. Her interest extends beyond design, recognising the important role that nature plays in supporting our wellbeing – a value that has always been central to her life.

At Three Storey Design, Claire designs, dyes, and produces handcrafted products using natural botanical extract dyes, flowers, and plants on silk and cotton fabrics. She hand-dyes and sews bespoke accessories between her home studio in Whalley Range and Studio 16 at the Manchester Craft & Design Centre.

Three Storey Design is also proud to host Natural Silk Dyeing Workshops at the Manchester Craft & Design Centre and other recognisable locations across Greater Manchester. These workshops, designed for groups, private parties, and corporate events, offer a unique opportunity for participants of all skill levels to create beautiful hand-dyed silk scarves. 

Attendees learn ancient techniques like Bundle Dyeing and the traditional Japanese art of Tatakizome, or flower pounding. For more details, visit www.threestoreydesign.co.uk.

Looking to the future, Claire plans to expand her brand by developing clothing ranges. With her background in Fashion Design, she enjoys creating bespoke garments for herself and friends (including two custom wedding dresses!).