Patrick Kelly

Patrick Kelly was a Paris-based women’s wear designer and founder of fashion house Patrick Kelly Paris.  Kelly was highly successful in the U.S. during the 1980’s and I remember my Grandmother, a master seamstress, simply in awe of his work every time she saw it. 

Image Source Page: http://beautyandthestreet.blogspot.com/2010/02/black-history-spotlight-patrick-kelly.html

Kelly was the first American & the first African American to be admitted as a member of the Chambre syndicale du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode (French Federation of Fashion and of Ready-to-Wear of Couturiers and Fashion Designers)            

           

Image Source Page: http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f116/1954-1990-patrick-kelly-61044.html

Image Source Page: http://www.debbiedecoudreaux.com/images/Debbie%20de%20Coudreaux%20Web%20Gallery/pages/Patrick% 20Kelly%20Flaminco%20dress2.htm

Image Source Page: http://fashion.blogdig.net/archives/articles/August2007/21/Harlem_Renaissance_Fashion_Show.html



Kelly's designs were sold in upscale retailers including Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdale’s.  I don't see or hear of any African American designers bringing forth this optimum level of creativity and shear brilliance these days.  It seems as if most are doing what is expected, and not taking chances.  I'll keep researching till I find them though.

 Image Source Page: http://african-americanfashion.blogspot.com/

Resource:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Kelly_(fashion_designer)

???’s = tweenstylist@live.com or twitter.com/tweenstylist

L



http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/exhibitions/626/Patrick_Kelly%3A_A_Retrospective/image/354/Patrick_Kelly%3A_A_Retrospective._%7C04172004_-_09052004%7C._Installation_view.