Kelly

Patrick Kelly (1952-1990). American designer. His brief career started and ended in Paris. He made his début at the age of 22 when he opened a small shop in Atlanta. He tried New York but, notwithstanding a scholarship to the Parson’s School, he had no success. He arrived in Paris in 1979 and, to earn his living, sold his creations in streets and squares. The magazine Elle discovered him, which was enough to find a place for him on the prêt-à-porter stage in 1985. Two years later, a partnership with the Group Warnaco allowed him to open a space in America. He was talented, and had a taste for fantasy and borrowing elements. He designed for Benetton, but only two years after becoming the first American in history to be admitted to the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode, he died.