How Melissa Transformed Her Mother’s Legacy

In a budding city of Cotabato in Mindanao stands a humble yet iconic dress shop—Fely’s House of Fashion—a name that has clothed generations with grace, elegance, and love. Behind its legacy is a story of devotion, heritage, and transformation. At the heart of it now is Melissa Ajaddi Chin, a licensed Physical Therapist who chose not the path of hospitals and clinics, but the calling stitched deep into her roots: fashion.

As the daughter of the town’s pioneering dressmaker, Melissa grew up surrounded by fabric, thread, and the tender artistry of making women feel beautiful. Her journey from healthcare to haute couture may seem unconventional, but it’s a testament to a daughter’s love and a woman’s passion for preserving a legacy. In this interview, she shares how she embraced her mother’s dream, infused it with her own vision, and continues to uphold modest fashion with meaning, sincerity, and soul.

1. How would you tell the world about you?

I am a daughter of a dressmaker whose passion is to beautify my clients by making lovely dresses for them.

2 .We read that you are a Physical Therapy graduate, how did you shift to fashion designing? When did you realise you wanted to pursue your family’s business in fashion?

I was about to go abroad as a Physical Therapist. My Mom chose these profession but later she realised that she doesnt want me to go abroad.

3. What do you think is the number one factor to keep clients patronizing your products and services?

It’s the dedication, my Love of the art and the way I make them feel special everytime they allow me to create their Dress, their gowns, my special Pieces .. It’s that big great feeling of satisfaction that they experienced whenever they wear my creations… The warmth, My sincerity in dealings with them makes them come back over and over again..

4. How do you see your dress shop in the next 10 years?

I see my dress shop as One that is standing still amidst all the trials that we encounter… It’s my Mothers name and all her hardwork as she put up this one.. She is an Institution already, Our Felys House of Fashion. And that I will still continue up to 70 years and beyond…

5. What advice can you give future designers?

Work with your heart and mind in creating your designs. Always choose to be kind in. dealings with your clients, staff and other people..Know what you want at the same time do an advocacy in helping others too. Work with passion and outmost care..

6. Lastly, why do you think promoting modest fashion is still relevant and important?

It’s relevant because we want others to know that we still promote the decency for every piece of clothes that we create… That fir every design, this represents the designers concepts and that they are sharing a piece of themselves to the vast crowd.