Age: 26

Hometown: Osterville, Cape Cod

Currently Residing: Brooklyn!

Currently Listening to: Ennio Morricone

When I first saw Alison Kelly on Bravo's Project Runway I was taken aback by how imaginative and whimsical her clothing presented itself. Her ability to incorporate a story with her design is very rare in American fashion design. Her quiet, softspokeness is a facade for her fierce clothing and makes her one of the few young female fashion designers making the runway interesting again.

Her clothing line, Dahl Clothing, is creating a line of clothing for the woman who wants to be sexy, modern, and with purpose. Although she was "auffed" of Runway, I was shocked and confused, but can say with all certainty that is NOT the last you will be seeing of Miss Kelly. Her collections will continue to progress as her ideas grow bigger and her imagination flows with the times making sure American women are dressed to actually make a fashion statement and not a status statement.

What I love most about Alison is that she is genuine and her ideas are of an "other-worldly" nature. I love that she thinks about what she designs right down to the small details. She isn't afraid to believe in what she creates and has a purpose to her own style. Alison was very kind in taking time from her VERY busy schedule to talk with Anti-Mag and she is as beautiful and sweet as she appeared on TV.

How long has your relationship with fashion been? Have you enjoyed being a part of it's world and do you feel it is a lifelong commitment?

I've been making clothes since I was a little girl with my mother who taught me everything. We'd make clothes for me and matching outfits for my dolls.

I enjoy the impact my clothing has on people, all sorts of personalities comment on my style and are intrigued and inspired by it, most important to me is spreading beauty and peace, to have a positive impact.

You like to tell stories it seems...you do it very well with your clothes, what is the current story your clothes are saying?

My current story is based on a very romantic idea. My inspiration is a dark, mysterious Victorian dollhouse, full of ornate objects de'arte, antiques and tapestries. Imagine discovering this dollhouse and being so inspired by the things you find and you create new costumes from them...using silk from the curtains, beads from doll's dresses, crocheted doilies found under vases...

How did Dahl Clothing start and what initiated this process?

See my bio at www.dahlclothes.com for more info on this, it's quite extensive:) (This is so you will actually go and check out her site...it's quite lovely!)

You studied fashion in Italy with many different culturally background influences...how did this translate into your designs? What was a memorable experience from that time there?

I lived with some amazingly talented female artists in a wonderful rooftop apartment in Florence...two were photographers and we created a darkroom in one of our windowless bathrooms...we would go to cemeteries lined with Cyprus trees and castles with fortresses and I would make costumes for us to be photographed in and we'd create ghost stories and romantic pictures...

Do you feel fashion is boring today, as though the actual art of fashion design has been taken away and become more of a who's wearing who arena?

There are many designers I consider extremely conceptual, Azzedine Alaia, Hussein Chalayan, and Rei Kawakubo for example, they are creating pret-a-porter and high-fashion conceptualized presentations. These ideas are not for the masses (especially American audiences) but can be appreciated by anyone who seeks a deeper meaning in fashion.

Chanel had suits, Moschino had satire, what do you hope your clothes become known for? How do you feel you are making your mark in the fashion world?

I subtly place humor and fantasy into my designs...I find them to be somewhat idiosyncratic at times, in a way that people stop to look and admire and recognize that there is an underlying message, a deeper meaning, rather than an overtly sexual or trendy statement.

What is your favorite textile to use? Why? Least favorite? Why?

I use only natural fibers, mostly silk, cotton & linen. I will not use fur or leather as I've been vegetarian for most of my life and an animal lover and consider myself a Pacifist...When I can afford the luxury I aspire to create an animal sanctuary and help threatened and ill-treated animals. (I told you she was sweet)

Who would you most want to design for and why?

I ponder that question a lot. Currently I am lucky enough to be designing my own line and in that sense, designing for myself as I am sometimes my own muse...I relate to Vivienne Westwood, Pheobe Philo, Stella McCartney, as they are designing with themselves in mind, and are mindful of maturing women's bodies and fits and fall of fabrics.

What has been your greatest challenge as a designer to date?

The greatest challenge for me as a designer is finding a harmonious balance between creativity, business & marketing. Sometimes it can be difficult to remain creative and inspired while running my business...the remedy for this situation is trying to find like minds to work with. It is so important to find others you can trust who have strengths in areas you may lack in and work together.

Tell me about the detailing of your work? How do you go about choosing finishing touches to your designs?

I get inspired by many things that materialize into details in my work. Victorian costumes, armor, Oaxacan textiles, Mexican metalwork. In the past I've designed my own clasps & buttons from sterling silver. Lately I've been using a lot of mixed materials, like a crocheted haltertop mixed with subtle beading. I love combining something very delicate and soft, like silk, and pairing with it a more sculptural and strong piece of tightly woven beaded placket.

What old school designer do you admire most? Who, new to the game are you keeping your eye on?

"Old school" has many connotations these days...however, I really admire Vivienne Westwood's longevity as a designer, she has maintained innovation while staying true to her truly original aesthetic and sihlouette. Azzedine Alaia is another designer I really admire who has remained elusive for many years, his designs are incredibly structured and intriguing, and I am watching his progression.

Influences....you have said music infiltrates your work....how so, and what artists reflect in what you design?

Bosch infiltrates my work...his paintings are full of fantastic creatures, birds wearing pointy shoes and animals living in incredible landscapes...music surrounds me constantly and I often arrive at concepts through music, tones and rhythms create lines and shapes in my mind and I can see silhouettes in sounds.

Is that you in the "Lost" collection? How did that come to be? (amazing concept by the way)

Yes. We did that shoot for a contest for Surface magazine, we thought the concept was great and my friend, photographer helene cornell, wanted me to model my designs and she shot the series...she was surviving a break-up and needed to purge ill feelings and decided to turn these feelings into a romantic concept and be inspired through the process.

If someone were to do a movie on your life, who would play you and who would direct?

Fellini directs, Brigitte Bardot (she's a dead ringer, don't you think?) plays me....and you know she runs an animal sanctuary in Provence?

Alison Kelly designed this jacket for "Puck" at an ASPCA event.

To See More of Alison's Designs Please Check out her site at Dahl Clothing.

 

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