It’s a big deal for any fashionista to be in New York during Fashion Week, but to debut as a fashion designer without any formal training?
Andover native Kelly Dempsey, 26, did just that when she was one of nine designers chosen to showcase a collection at the Rhythms of Fashion show held on March 13, 2009, at the House of D’Marsh in Manhattan. And she’s never been to fashion school.
“Everyone, all the designers, would ask me where I went to school,” Dempsey says. “But I never went to school.”
The only self-taught designer at the show, she proved that it’s not all about time spent in the classroom that makes you a talented fashion designer. Hard work and creativity count.
“The hardest part actually was when I walked in to meet with the other designers and models, they all had really nice bags with rollers and stuff,” Dempsey says. “Then I came in with a plastic dress bag and everyone was looking at me like, ‘who is this?’ After that, I knew I needed to get a new dress bag.”
Dempsey’s collection was well received largely because of her unique and fun designs, which typically include a mix of unusual fabrics, such as sweater knits and tulle, and lots of bright colors.
“Kelly Dempsey’s eclectic full-color funky ’80s off the shoulder mini dress with a knitted one-sided glove and can-can Vee neck showed great talent,” wrote Tangerine Clarke in the newspaper Caribbean Life.
“I like finding vintage fabrics and putting [together] material that most people wouldn’t think of,” Dempsey says. “And I love tulle; it’s really fun, and you can do all sorts of things with it.”
And, Dempsey adds, “They have all the bright colors in tulle!”
The young designer considers color to be her biggest inspiration, and she believes it’s what leads people to say her style has an ’80s flair.
Photos by Tim Renzi.
“I love colors,” she says, “I love the bright colors.”
Growing up, Dempsey was always interested in making her own clothes, so it’s no surprise that she has turned a hobby into a career she’s passionate about.
“I didn’t have a lot of money growing up, so my mom would have us shop at thrift stores, and I would cut things up and make my own things like, ‘nobody would have this,’” Dempsey says. “I’ve always worn the craziest things; I just wanted to stand out.”
Dempsey has injected that philosophy into her designs and the message behind her clothing. “I just think people should have fun when they get dressed and shouldn’t worry about what anybody else thinks,” she says. “Going out should be fun. I think everyone should just have fun, that’s my motto.”
Following her successful March show, Dempsey was selected to participate in the Brooklyn Fashion Festival held at the Knitting Factory, Sept. 18-19, 2009. There, she was able to showcase a larger collection of dresses as she tries to continue making waves in the industry.
“It’s just good to get my stuff out there,” she says.
Dempsey’s long-term goals include opening a large-city boutique that can also feature her prom dresses and bathing suits. In the meantime, Dempsey will continue to focus on getting her name out and developing her signature style — bright, youthful clothing and cocktail dresses.
“As long as they remember it, that’s what I’m going for,” Dempsey says.
Artist Profile – Keeping Up With Kelly
Photo by Angela Perez.
It’s a big deal for any fashionista to be in New York during Fashion Week, but to debut as a fashion designer without any formal training?
Andover native Kelly Dempsey, 26, did just that when she was one of nine designers chosen to showcase a collection at the Rhythms of Fashion show held on March 13, 2009, at the House of D’Marsh in Manhattan. And she’s never been to fashion school.
“Everyone, all the designers, would ask me where I went to school,” Dempsey says. “But I never went to school.”
The only self-taught designer at the show, she proved that it’s not all about time spent in the classroom that makes you a talented fashion designer. Hard work and creativity count.
“The hardest part actually was when I walked in to meet with the other designers and models, they all had really nice bags with rollers and stuff,” Dempsey says. “Then I came in with a plastic dress bag and everyone was looking at me like, ‘who is this?’ After that, I knew I needed to get a new dress bag.”
Dempsey’s collection was well received largely because of her unique and fun designs, which typically include a mix of unusual fabrics, such as sweater knits and tulle, and lots of bright colors.
“Kelly Dempsey’s eclectic full-color funky ’80s off the shoulder mini dress with a knitted one-sided glove and can-can Vee neck showed great talent,” wrote Tangerine Clarke in the newspaper Caribbean Life.
“I like finding vintage fabrics and putting [together] material that most people wouldn’t think of,” Dempsey says. “And I love tulle; it’s really fun, and you can do all sorts of things with it.”
And, Dempsey adds, “They have all the bright colors in tulle!”
The young designer considers color to be her biggest inspiration, and she believes it’s what leads people to say her style has an ’80s flair.
Photos by Tim Renzi.
“I love colors,” she says, “I love the bright colors.”
Growing up, Dempsey was always interested in making her own clothes, so it’s no surprise that she has turned a hobby into a career she’s passionate about.
“I didn’t have a lot of money growing up, so my mom would have us shop at thrift stores, and I would cut things up and make my own things like, ‘nobody would have this,’” Dempsey says. “I’ve always worn the craziest things; I just wanted to stand out.”
Dempsey has injected that philosophy into her designs and the message behind her clothing. “I just think people should have fun when they get dressed and shouldn’t worry about what anybody else thinks,” she says. “Going out should be fun. I think everyone should just have fun, that’s my motto.”
Following her successful March show, Dempsey was selected to participate in the Brooklyn Fashion Festival held at the Knitting Factory, Sept. 18-19, 2009. There, she was able to showcase a larger collection of dresses as she tries to continue making waves in the industry.
“It’s just good to get my stuff out there,” she says.
Dempsey’s long-term goals include opening a large-city boutique that can also feature her prom dresses and bathing suits. In the meantime, Dempsey will continue to focus on getting her name out and developing her signature style — bright, youthful clothing and cocktail dresses.
“As long as they remember it, that’s what I’m going for,” Dempsey says.
Keep up with Kelly by visiting www.splashcoutureonline.com