Joy Hysteric

Joy Hysteric Joy Hysteric Studio - Vol. 1 is a carefully curated studio, showroom and concept space for creators. A space where [Mel's] dreams come to life.. stayed tuned.

Joy Hysteric was established in 2004, founded by creative director and stylist Mel Tan who opened the first Joy Hysteric boutique on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. After 11 years of bricks n mortar retail, Joy Hysteric moved online exclusively mid-2015.
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Joy Hysteric is synonymous in representing Mel's aesthetic and attitude - a juxtaposition of high end vs bad ass femme. The Joy Hyster

ic name being a juxtaposition in itself, inspired by two major emotions that run through Mel's veins when it comes to fashion; Joy and Hysteria.
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2024 welcomes a highly anticipated relaunch of a brand that is 20 years strong.

Packed a carryon for a few nights in Bangkok. Ended up staying three weeks in Thailand, as you do.Arriving in Phuket aft...
28/08/2026

Packed a carryon for a few nights in Bangkok. Ended up staying three weeks in Thailand, as you do.

Arriving in Phuket after the energy of Bangkok felt like one big exhale. It was the first time I’d actually stopped, breathed and just lived in the moment in a very long time. Long before I even left Sydney.

For months I’ve been living in the future. Working towards everything I’m moving towards. Planning, packing, selling, leaving, arriving, figuring things out. SYD–KL–BKK was exciting, but I was still very much in “moving” mode.

Then I found this little pocket of southern Phuket, Rawai, and for finally, I had nothing I needed to do and nowhere I needed to be.

It was like a holiday within my travels. But in true me form, it also became a little reconnaissance mission for my future life. Asked myself many times, could I live here?

Phuket played a very good hand.

I swam, watched sunsets, went to the gym, wandered local markets, ate my favourite tropical fruits by the sea, had many pinch-me moments and was in bed by 8pm almost every night.

And I had to remind myself, this is my life now.

The life I want. The one I’ve been working towards.

It felt incredible, yet so natural all at the same time.

Phuket is definitely one I’ll be coming back to.

I loved my time here, and Thailand as a whole.

For now, it’s back to KL. 🌴

28/08/2026

SPF 50+ three ways and some lippy, done. 🏝️

23/08/2026

A lifetime of styling outfits. Only a year of lifting weights.

Walking into a gym was intimidating for me. Putting an outfit together has never been.

As my strength has grown, so has my confidence in the gym and in how I show up there.

Getting dressed to work out is now part of the motivation for me. Feeling like myself in what I wear gave me a sense of comfort and familiarity in a space that once felt completely foreign.

I’ve always believed there are no rules when it comes to expressing yourself through clothes. I don’t follow trends. I dress for a feeling. The things I’m drawn to today are largely the same shapes, themes and styles I’ve loved for the past twenty years. Why should the gym be any different?

For the past year I’ve been on a scavenger hunt for workout clothes that feel functional and cool without everything being scrunch bum or spandex suctioned to every unforgiving inch of my body. That’s just not my vibe. I like contrast, I like texture, I like interesting shapes and unexpected details.

And well, when I can’t find something, I source it, design it or make it myself.

So yes, I’m working on something… 🎀

Just two kids who grew up liking the same stuff wandering around Bangkok for my first few days here.Fun fact: in the ear...
13/08/2026

Just two kids who grew up liking the same stuff wandering around Bangkok for my first few days here.

Fun fact: in the early 2000s my brother wanted to quit engineering at uni and follow his sister into a career in fashion. I was scolded by my parents and told I had to tell him no! As a compromise I gave him a rack in my boutique for him to sell the skater brand clothes and shoes he was importing from Steve Aoki who he was often mistaken for 😆 we named it “The Anti Joy” which we thought was a cool name as it was such a contrast to the girly stuff I was stocking for Joy Hysteric. Some people on the Gold Coast thought I had a hater and rumours spread that someone had opened a store in that name to tear me down.. (small town stuff). We will always chuckle about “The Anti Joy” - a concept space within my store JOY HYSTERIC - maybe time to bring it back Brendon Tan 😆

26/07/2026

Turns out 46 is just the beginning.

If you’re new here, buckle up. I’m just getting started. And I feel like things are about to get very interesting. 🚀

Yesterday I was verbally abused and threatened in broad daylight by another aggressive man who I did not know. This time...
19/07/2026

Yesterday I was verbally abused and threatened in broad daylight by another aggressive man who I did not know. This time there were plenty of witnesses. Most chose to look the other way, except for Christine, my 79-year-old neighbour, who came to my defence.

As a survivor of domestic violence, situations like this bring a lot back.

A year ago I would’ve stayed silent and carried it with me for weeks. Instead, I spoke about it. Then I went to the gym.

I’ve realised using my voice and using my body have become the two practices that have changed my life the most. Neither comes naturally.

I still question every vulnerable post I share. And I still feel a pang of self-doubt walking into a busy gym full of men.

A year ago I would’ve avoided both.

Now I push through because every single time I do, I feel better for it.

Just over a year ago I started to share more personally. I also walked into the gym for the first time having no idea what I was doing. Today I train confidently on my own, often as the only woman in the free weights section. And I document it.

The strength is great, but the confidence has been even better.

This winter has been tough. Between seasonal depression, moving countries, work and life, I’ve trained far less than I wanted. But one quieter season doesn’t erase a year of showing up.

I’ve realised progress isn’t always about doing more. Sometimes it’s about integrating the habits that help you heal into everyday life.

I’ll still overthink. I’ll still feel vulnerable.

But I’ll choose that discomfort over staying silent or staying the same.

Because that is where my healing began.

And to the men reading this: if you see another man threatening or abusing a woman, say something. Don’t leave it to women to deal with alone. Your silence only enables abuse.

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