Melony Huber: Living Beautifully Through Design

In the final instalment of our four-part interview series with Melony Huber, founder and design director of La Peony, we explore how she balances entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal joy. Huber reflects candidly on the challenges of running a luxury ethical brand while nurturing her wellbeing, creative energy, and personal life. From grounding rituals to the inspiration she draws from travel, art, and nature, she reveals the philosophy that informs every decision at La Peony: a commitment to authenticity, intentionality, and living beautifully.

Running a brand, designing collections, and living a full personal life — what does balance really look like for you? 

Balance, for me, isn’t about perfection.  It’s about awareness.  I’ll be honest:  I do get exhausted, and there are times I have to step back and take a time-out to realign with myself and my “why.”  I have very human tendencies and veer off course often.  There are family issues to manage, moments of overwhelm, and times when the weight of running a brand - financially, creatively, and emotionally – feels immense.  This endeavor has challenged me to the max.  LPC demands both heart and endurance, and there are days when I have to consciously bring myself back to center just to keep going.  But that’s where the balance lives - in those pauses.  In remembering that I built LPC not just to create beautiful things, but to live a meaningful, grounded life in the process.

How do you protect your creative energy when business demands pull you in every direction? 

Protecting my creative energy is a daily practice.  I’ve learned that creativity, for me, can’t exist in constant motion and requires a balance of stillness and self-care.  When the business side becomes overwhelming, I step away.  Sometimes that means meditation or exercise, sometimes it’s a call with a friend, and other times it’s simply giving myself permission to stop pushing.  I also surround myself with people who understand and respect the creative process.  I ask for help when and where I need it.  My life now feels like a balance between collaboration and solitude, leaning on others for support while also valuing silence and space.  Creativity flows best when I’m grounded, not when I’m rushing or forced.

What daily rituals or habits keep you grounded amid the chaos of entrepreneurship? 

My grounding rituals are simple but deeply important.  I thrive on connection, whether to myself or my partner.  So I begin the day with a morning meditation.  On some days, I journal.  I begin every day, if not on the road, with morning coffee and conversation with my partner.  These early moments give me space to breathe and connect before the noise starts.  Movement, either with a walk or lagree pilates, resets my energy and prioritizes my physical wellbeing.  Owning a brand can feel all-consuming, so these small acts of presence, gratitude, and movement are what keep me steady and grounded.  They remind me that success isn’t just about what I build, but about who I am while I’m building it.

You often talk about “living beautifully.” What does that phrase mean to you in practice? 

To me, “living beautifully” means slowing down enough to notice and appreciate the moments that make life meaningful.  It’s about presence and intention, not perfection.  It also means aligning my choices with my values, in how I design, how I treat others, and how I care for myself.  Admittedly, it’s not always graceful; sometimes it means pausing when everything feels chaotic or choosing rest over productivity.  At its heart, “living beautifully” is about integrity and gratitude.  I hate to overuse those two words, but they are in my daily intention and reflection.  “Living beautifully” is about creating a life and a brand that reflect love, purpose, and authenticity, even when things aren’t perfect.

How do travel, art, or nature feed your sense of design and wellbeing? 

Travel, art, and nature wake up my senses.  They reveal beauty and design I may not have noticed or imagined, and they remind me how much more there is in the world than my own finite sense of creativity.  Sometimes I get trapped in a particular way of thinking or designing, and these experiences open my mind to bigger possibilities.  They expand how I see texture, color, form, and feeling; helping me to reconnect with wonder.  Whether it’s the people or the architecture of a new place, the craftsmanship of another culture, or the serenity of nature, these moments bring me back to curiosity and remind me that inspiration is everywhere if I stay open to it.

What lessons has entrepreneurship taught you about resilience and self-belief?

Entrepreneurship has taught me that growth doesn’t come without discomfort.  There are many moments when I’ve questioned everything from the direction, the effort, even my own ability to keep going.  But every time I move through those challenges, I uncover a deeper strength and trust in myself.  Resilience, for me, isn’t about being unshakable.  It’s all about showing up even when things feel uncertain and scary.  LPC has tested me on many levels, especially emotionally.  It’s also taught me that purpose has power.  When I stay connected to my “why,” I can face uncertainty with courage and navigate the ups and downs with more grace and faith.  I didn’t start LPC with unwavering self-belief.  I built it piece by piece through persistence, courage and the quiet decision to keep showing up.  At times, it’s fragile, but it’s always there and grows stronger every time I choose to continue.

How do you want women to feel when they wear La Peony? 

I want women to feel genuinely good about their purchase and to know they are investing in something made with intention, integrity and care.  I want them to love their LPC pieces so much that they naturally share them with others because they feel the difference in the fit, the quality, and the heart behind the brand.  My dream is for women to want every color of their favorite styles, to gift LPC to friends and family, and to feel proud supporting an ethical brand that stands for something real.  Ultimately, I want to shake the fashion industry and prove that a slow-fashion brand built on purpose and authenticity can still inspire desire and be profitable.  I want women to feel seen and radiant every day wearing garments that make them look and truly feel good.

Finally, what do you hope the next chapter of La Peony — and your life — looks like? 

In the next chapter, I want to see LPC step fully into its power and to grow into a global name that proves slow fashion can be both purposeful and profitable.  I want to show that an American-made brand with integrity, exceptional fit, and timeless design will always outlast trends.  My vision is for LPC to become a brand that women around the world trust and love - one that feels luxurious and ethical.  I see us collaborating with more global artisans, expanding thoughtfully, and maybe even introducing a men’s line, while protecting the quality that defines us.  For me personally, it’s about continuing to grow the brand, enjoying the fruits of this labor of love and leading LPC into a legacy of beauty, impact and purpose.

For Melony, the pursuit of balance is as much an art as her designs. Through conscious pauses, daily rituals, and a steadfast connection to her purpose, she has built La Peony into a brand that merges luxury with integrity. Huber’s vision extends beyond fashion; it is a blueprint for creating a life and a business that honours creativity, resilience, and joy. As she looks to the future, she aims to expand La Peony globally while maintaining the authenticity, quality, and ethical values that define every piece, proving that slow fashion with heart can indeed inspire desire, empowerment, and lasting impact.