A celebrity designer is sending one of her clients to the Grammy Awards this year in a custom-fit gown.

“I designed Etana’s red carpet look at the last in-person Grammy ceremony,” said designer Meleissa Dunkley-Hampton.

What You Need To Know

  • A local celebrity designer will be featured at the Grammys this year

  • Meleissa Dunkley-Hampton got her start by studying design in Jamaica

  • She now works out of Polk County

Dunkley-Hampton’s MDIZ’s Fashion house is tucked in South Lakeland, but her roots originated in Jamaica.

“When it was time for me to graduate high school (my aunt) was like, 'What are you going to do?'” she said. “I wanted to be an actress or a lawyer — she said, 'Girl, get real,' and handed me a 'W' magazine.”

Dunkley-Hampton said her aunt became hip to her talents as a kid: she sewed together the seat cushions for chairs in the elder's bakery.

“Then I started following Oscar De Ranta, who I love.” said Dunkley-Hampton. “In Jamaica where we are, we don’t have a lot of options, so when I saw his stuff, I got all his magazines and all his work.”

Dunkley-Hampton pursued an education at Annie Gees College of fashion Designs in Jamaica.

“I graduated in 1999 and opened up my own shop,” she said. “I left Jamaica in 2010 — I wanted more, I wanted to challenge myself.”

She moved to Florida and said she found a fashion gem when she landed her Polk County location.

“A lot of people say there’s no fashion here, but there’s lots of fashion in Polk County,” she said. “I like the bold different look — all my pieces are custom-made.”

The Grammy Awards was originally set to air in January, but was pushed back due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. The Grammys will now air Sunday 8 p.m. ET, at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.