IN only her second year in business, a wedding stationery designer has been acclaimed the best in the West Midlands.

Former Worcester King’s School student, 28-year-old Melanie Thorn, who runs Melanie’s Studio Designs from her home in the village of Charlton, near Evesham, won the best stationery category in the regional round of the Wedding Industry Awards 2014.

She will now go forward to the national finals in London in January.

“I am absolutely thrilled,” said Miss Thorn.

“ I aim to translate couples’ visions into reality by designing and creating special and meaningful wedding stationery, while providing a creative and personalised approach for each customer.

“Not one wedding is the same. I tailor my services to each bride and groom to ensure they are left with beautiful stationery designs that are representative of their characters and are treasured as ever-lasting memories.”

After leaving King’s, she graduating with an honours degree in fine art from the University of Gloucester-shire and a master’s degree in urban design from Birmingham City University.

Having taken an experimental approach throughout her training and gained experience in many different forms of art, craft and design, Miss Thorn fine-tuned her creativity and decided on a stationery de-sign business within the wedding industry.

Alongside designing and creating bespoke wedding and event stationery, she continues to practise in fine art, making trips within the UK and abroad in search of inspiration for paintings, drawings and designs.

The Wedding Industry Awards identifies excellence in the wedding industry.

Melanie’s Studio Designs is shortlisted along with only nine other stationers for the national accolade.