Leah Kelly by Design

Hello world,

http://www.leahkellybydesign.com.au/ 

https://www.facebook.com/leahkellybydesign/ 

I am a designer living completely off the grid in the middle of the rainforest of Far North Qld, Australia.

My grandmother taught me to sew by hand. From construction to fine embroidery to exquisite hand crochet.

I pursued a lifestyle of creating and selling my home made pieces of wearable art, to sustain a livelihood which allowed me to provide for my three daughters as a single mother living remotely.

At times this was not easy, especially in the  monsoonal wet seasons!

No matter the obsticals, I always delivered world wide, a unique custom made organic gown from my off grid studio in the rainforest. 

My sewing machines have only ever been up graded every year from the opp shops, and run completely off my small solar system I have set up.

After years of using cheap fabrics, and having my fine detail of hand embroidery lost due to deterioration, 20 years ago, I discovered Hemp, and the amazing durability this fiber has to offer. My couture designs stood out as a first in this country, and my determination to seek acknowledgement of what and how natural fibres can look, evolved.

Over the years I have incorporated  100% organic Hemp, blends of Hemp/Silk,  blends of Hemp/Wild Nettle, blends of Hemp/Bamboo, 100% Pineapple fibre and recently 100% Banana Bark into my one off hand made gowns.

Much of my conceptual design has been inspired by the heart of this rainforest in which I live, and the indigenous (Djabaguy/Buluwai)  people surrounding me, (having learnt the traditional language of this area),  giving me much inspiration for expression through thread. This creative environment, coupled with living without power sees my delicate creations come to life through natural fibres, colours and sewing techniques that are rapidly vanishing in the modern world.

I was fortunate enough last year to be invited to showcase 8 of my organic natural fibre gowns at Eco Fashion Week Australia, held in Port Douglas, Qld, and then Fremantle, WA, an arena I had been longing for in this country for over 20 years.

https://www.ecofashionweekaustralia.com/leah-kelly-by-design

 My showcase was streamed live internationally and was received with much approbation.  Not only did I get to showcase my gowns, but, the collection was choreographed to the beat of the music of my two bands, one of which, I had written in the local language. Admittedly a most tearful proud moment.

https://secrettuesdays.bandcamp.com/ 

https://myspace.com/gudjugudju/music/songs 

As a result, Oxford Fashion Studio of London, hand picks 6 new designers every season to show case at Paris Fashion Week, which incorporates, London, Paris, New York & Milan.

Having viewed my showcase, Oxford Fashion Studio of London, have sent me a personal invitation to showcase at Paris Fashion Week, September 2020, commenting, "my work was couture & belonged on the catwalk of Paris."

The highest of honours for a fashion designer. After reading 10 times, I broke down in another tearful proud moment.

Living in a world of consumerism, I have diligently stood by my ethics of hoping one day, the fashion world would see that natural fibres can be an elegant,  sustainable option, and that "disposable" , "mass produced" clothing would be a thing of the past..

The time is here.....

 I am honoured for this opportunity to take to the Fashion Capital of the World, my original conceptual dream..

Having come from a humble,  handmade, off the grid,  remote "gunya".

My  hand made, hand embroidered, hand beaded, natural fibre gowns, have the potential to inspire a global audience!

However, like Eco Fashion Week, which I funded myself, each "look", (gown), has a registration fee,  which, being Paris Fashion Week, does not come cheap!

Financially I am unable to attend without your help.

Here is where now, I ask for help, something very unfamiliar to me, in my last step of fulfilling a dream which started over 20 years ago.

 A dream that has the potential to inspire new upcoming designers globally to incorporate natural fibres, to invoke the conscious awareness of consumerism in the fashion world globally, to envigorate the idea of the sustainabuility and demand into the Australian Hemp Industry,  to encourage home cottage industries globally, and the courage to never give up on a dream, no matter what the circumstances.

My aim is to at least showcase 6 of my gowns at Paris Fashion Week September 2020, with the help of your pledges.
This would be the kick start for what could follow, and the showcase that inspires designers throughout the world to utilise the option and availability of natural fibres for a more sustainable future on a global fashion front.

As you can see, I have only set my target for half the money, but without a deposit, I cannot even begin.

Idealy 8 "looks", gowns, would be better.

Please feel free in continuing assistance  if I reach my target, as this will totally kick start my process!!!

From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your support on this project, so I can deliver from my little rainforest dwelling to the fashion Capital of the world runway, a showcase that will be epic and ethical on every level.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-week/g29210259/paris-fashion-week-spring-2020/ 

https://www.eco-business.com/events/circular-fashion-summit/

This would be my smallest budget showcasing 6 gowns

Paris // - min  6 looks - collection showcase @  $650 US                                              $5,787.21 AU

Paris // - min  6 models - allocated @ $255 US                                                                $2,270.37 AU

Paris // - min runway photography @ $160 US                                                               $1,424.54 AU

Paris // - min videography @ $165 US  x 6                                                                       $1,469.06 AU

Paris showcase fees and charges                                                           TOTAL       $10,951.18 AU

Accommodation                                                                                                           $2,100 AU

Flights                                                                                                                            $1,432 AU

                                                                                                                    TOTAL       $14,483.81 AU