Disarming

Philly fashion designer Melanie Brandon turns guns into things of beauty.

by Makia Harper

Michael T. Regan DUMP THE GUN: As per Operation MWVA (Melting Weapons of Violence into Accessories), the city delivers its confiscated firearms to Melanie Brandon to melt down and repurpose as fine jewelry. (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Melanie Brandon remembers the news article in May 2007 that changed her life. It was the story of a 3-year-old girl senselessly shot dead on the streets of Philadelphia. At the time, the city was in the midst of one of the worst violent crime sprees in its history. Killadelphia, they were calling it. That little girl stayed on Brandon's mind. She wondered what she could do about such a large and formidable problem as citywide gun violence. She was just a fashion designer, after all.

Then it struck her: Take the guns out of circulation. Melt them down. Turn them into jewelry.

By the early summer, Brandon's vision had been circulated to and accepted by then Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson. The effort was passed on to the offices of Sheriff John Green and Deputy Sheriff Paris Washington, who created the city initiative Operation MWVA — Melting Weapons of Violence into Accessories.

The department arranged for melted-down confiscated weapons to be dropped off with Brandon. "For each piece made another gun is taken off the street," says Brandon.

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"Art encourages people," says Brandon, who was born and raised in Mount Airy. "It is another way to enhance our economic structure and to give to the community."

Brandon previewed her spring 2009 clothing and jewelry line in September at Fashion Week in New York City. A few weeks later, she unveiled her "Superwoman 2009" spring fashions and gun metal collection to Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center. The line is dedicated to and inspired by women who are leaders in education, violence reduction and the overall improvement in the quality of life of Philadelphians and Americans. The honorees included Philly first lady Lisa Nutter, Dorothy Johnson-Speight of Mothers In Charge, Cheryl Ann Wadlington of Evoluer and Michelle Obama.

Brandon has also recently teamed up with the Philadelphia Diamond Company to create elegant high-end accessories that will be sold in Macy's department stores next year.

(editorial@citypaper.net)

More info at melanivonalexandria.com.