Patrick Kelly was a renowned American fashion designer who left an indelible mark on the industry through his vibrant, playful, and inclusive designs. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1954, Kelly’s journey towards success was not without its challenges. Despite facing racial discrimination and financial constraints throughout his childhood, he persevered and earned scholarships to prestigious fashion schools in Atlanta and New York City.
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In 1985, he launched his eponymous label “Patrick Kelly Paris” which quickly gained international recognition for its bold use of color, exaggerated silhouettes, and humorous references to African-American culture.
With his signature button motif becoming emblematic of his brand, Patrick Kelly challenged societal norms by celebrating diversity on the runway while simultaneously fighting racism within the fashion industry. His life was tragically cut short at the age of 35 due to complications from AIDS but his artistic legacy lives on as an inspiration to future generations of designers striving for inclusivity and social activism.
Legacy he left behind
Patrick Kelly: A Retrospective, a collection of 60 Kelly outfits, fashion photos, and items from his collections of Black artifacts, was displayed at the Brooklyn Museum in 2004. All of the items were taken on loan from the Kelly estate. The Philadelphia Museum of Art presented Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love in 2014 to commemorate the estate’s pledged donation of 80 ensembles.
The majority of Kelly’s clothing is kept in two locations in the US. Kelly temporarily attended Jackson State University, which has a collection of about 250 pieces in addition to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In 2016, Patrick Kelly: From Mississippi to New York to Paris and Back featured some of Jackson State’s collections. Kelly’s writings are kept at the Schomburg Center of the New York Public Library.