Let them eat cupcakes

 If you like Pina Colada and getting caught At The Drive-In then Miss Melicious has a treat for you

Miss Melicious is as colourful as the cupcakes she earns a living from. Her hair colour changes from blonde to pink to rainbow and her decorative chest tattoos are a constant display of her creative flair.
Her cupcakery, Miss Melicious Cupcakes was launched in November 2011 in the Te Atatu Peninsula out of her do-it-yourself mantra and desire for self-expression.
“With other jobs I’ve had to cover my tattoos, take out piercings or tone down my hair colour… just like in school,” says Miss Melicious, who goes by the name Missy to most. “There is a lot of pressure out there to be something that you’re not.”
The mother of three remembers obediently waiting until she reached the legal age to be adorned with her first tattoo. “You need to wait until you know what you want otherwise you end up with something hideous. My children aren’t getting any tattoos until they’re at least 30.”
Her chest piece, which she says is her life mural took 22 hours in total to complete (eight hours for the outline, eight for the shading and six for the colour). Raised by a single mother and extended family, the cameo in the centre of the artwork represents the strong women in her life. She also has seven stars on her back and two on her front, each representing a niece or nephew. While there are plans to carry symbols for her three daughters, Aza Paree (6), Sierra Cherry (5) and Parker Mischelle (3) Missy reveals she has no plans to etch her husband’s name onto her skin.
“If I was to die tomorrow it wouldn’t be very fun for his next wife,” she quips.
Only those closest to the creative know Missy’s true identity. Because her husband plays bass for New Zealand rock band Blacklist (formally Blindspott) the couple try to keep their children out of the limelight as much as they can.
“My mum was a kindergarten teacher and taught after school care and everyone called her by her first name. I developed this jealousy for the relationship other kids had with my mum. Other people call me Missy but I like that my children know my name. It’s their special thing.”
This September Missy celebrated the launch of her first cookbook, a collection of cute cupcakes with nostalgic names and wacky flavour combos that you can make at home.
“I was pregnant with Parker when we started the business and during the research process I was eating a lot! Many of the basic recipes were inspired by my cravings like feijoa and the watermelon cupcake is my favourite recipe in the book.”
Every cupcake has its own unique character and story behind it inspired by a person, an event in Missy’s life, a movie or song.
“Rainbow Bright was named after the cartoon that I’ve always had a fascination with. Pink Poodle is named after my best friend, Isabelle and the Jaffa cake is named after Sierra who was a little chunky red headed baby.”
The photo style of the book is reminiscent of childhood favourite I SPY books. Each morsel is shot with miniature props relating to the cupcake’s theme.
“I have hundreds of cookbooks and I love that, with mine, you can always find something new. I find cookbooks boring when you look through and there are just cakes on stands. You don’t want to pick it up and look through it again.”
With a background in fashion and sales Missy knows how the right merchandise can add real value to the appeal of a product.
“When I was nine, I started working doing volunteer work and by the time I was 13 I was working part time for the Just Jeans Group. At age 18 when most people were looking at getting into their first job I was already managing a store and getting into the styling side of things. I’ve always had an eye for design.”
That same quirky style can be seen in the store’s interior. Reminiscent of a 1950s milkshake bar edgy artwork from artist and friend of Missy’s, Autumn McGrail have inspired the pink, white and black theme that runs through the space from the quilted headboard on the front counter to the wallpaper and stools. Pink chandeliers, a retro coke fridge, tattoo magazines and a Candyland board game round off the ‘tongue-in-cheek’ decor.
Currently in the works is Missy’s second premises, a kiosk in Karangahape Road and a clothing line under the Miss Melicious brand. With plans to take the business international this colourful soul is one to watch.
Nakita Ardern
www.missmelicious.com

Autumn McGrail
Autumn McGrail is a contemporary figurative artist based in Wellington.
 
She has exhibited in group and solo shows around New Zealand and is a frequent participant of The New Zealand Art show. Her first solo show was an exhibition full of painted Burlesque dancers called 'The Candy Dolls' and the second was an Alice in Wonderland themed show named 'Down the Rabbit Hole'. She is currently showing at Rex Royale in Wellington with a show based on Dia de los Muertos - the Mexican holiday 'Day of the Dead'.
 
Her signature stylized female figures are a mixture of darkness, cuteness and sex appeal. She is inspired by the 50's pin up as well as the doll-like glamour of the 1920s, burlesque, circus, vintage movies and mermaids.
 
Autumn was delighted when asked to provide works for Miss Melicious’ cupcake boutique and hopes to have an Auckland show in the near future.
 
www.phaedra.co.nz/Autumn