Back when I was a student in fashion school, I had the privilege, the honor, the pleasure to do my first internship with Patrick Kelly.
It was just before Patrick showed his first collection. I remember working on his famous dress with a heart-shaped bodice of buttons. It was an amazing first experience. Patrick was the sweetest person I have ever had the opportunity to work with.
In 1986, for a dramatic grand finale, Patrick paid an homage to the most legendary of African American expatriates to live in Paris, Josephine Baker, I remember helping after school!
As Patrick’s collections evolved, he used objects such as: Bows, red plastic lips, billiard balls, nails, teddy bears, and his beloved miniature black baby dolls.
I remember once, a Sunday, he called me at home to join him along with Bjorn Amelan his business associate and partner, his friend Liz Goodrum, Pascale Monduit his publicist, and Rachida and Saadia Abou El Wafaa his pattern makers, to eat his famous southern -fried chicken.
In 1988, Patrick Kelly became the first American designer to be admitted into the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode.
The last time I saw him was in 1989, I was working for Yves Saint Laurent. Patrick had a meeting with Pierre Bergé. We hugged and he said he was very proud of me.
Patrick left us January 1, 1990- I will always remember him.....
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| Bette Davis wearing Patrick kelly's button dress |
Thank you Laila for this super nice article ! It reminded me so much when I was a teenager and wearing those Patrick Kelly T-shirts and brooches, he was very talented.
ReplyDeleteHave great day :)
Hala Salem Achillas