Inspiration // Patrick Kelly Fashion Designer
Video via Fashion Channel.
Patrick Kelly was a lot of pretty phenomenal things.
Noted as the first Black designer inducted into the esteemed French Federation of Fashion and of Ready-to-Wear of Couturiers and Fashion Designers in 1988.
He was also fearless and courageous; this was prevalent not only in his garments (that palette, the joyful embellishment and irreverent use of buttons) but also in his personal life. The Mississippi native had moved from New York (where he had studied at Parsons) to Paris on a one way ticket. Once in Paris Kelly went from selling his garments on the streets to becoming a member of Chambre Syndicale of Ready-to-Wear and Couture, dressing the cream of the crop (Grace Jones and Bette Davis etc) and being stocked in Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel and Bloomingdale’s.
The man who had gone to Paris on a one way ticket as funded by the legendary Pat Cleveland, soon rose to $7.2 million per year business. He turned Paris on her head.
Kelly was wonderful in the sense that while drawing you in with his joyful, unassuming and witty aesthetic he also addressed issues of that time including race.
Look past the bows, buttons and the upbeat tempo his designs (and shows!) exuded and you see incredibly well cut clothes. His fall 1989 interpretation of the cape is testament to that.
Be inspired.
Dialogue