In this edition of Chit Chat Tuesday, we sit down with one of our favorite NYC-based stylists, KellyB. She has been on our radar for some time, having caught our eye with her gorgeous styling for the Buscemi kid’s campaign a few seasons back. KellyB has that quintessential NYC vibe—in a dynamic, authentic, outer-borough kind of way that we love. Enjoy getting to know this super babe, stylist, and creative director and be sure to follow her on the ‘gram—she produces one of our favorite visual grids in the kid’s fashion space. Read on!
JS: Tell us about your recent collab with Flakiki and the NYC pop up. How did it come about?
KellyB: I was introduced to the Flakiki brand via my friend Ebony (@blau4blau ) approximately 2 years ago when I was seeking new and exciting brands for an editorial shoot. I fell in love instantly with her creativity and she felt the same when she saw my creative direction and styling work. It was an instant connection. She started sending me pieces from Seoul for my kids and for photo shoots. At the beginning of 2017 Kiki (owner/designer of Flakiki ) said she wanted to collab on a capsule collection with me and I was thrilled! This was a dream come true for me and I was totally honored and excited. I did a bunch of sketches, sent them to Kiki, she revised and added to my concepts and the Falkiki x Kelly B. collection was created. Kiki wanted to do a Pop Up in NYC to promote the brand and the collaboration, as her brand is not currently sold in the US. The collection will be fully available for sale in the US and UK for SS18.
JS: Kimani Dior. First of all, she is gorgeous and totally your mini me. What a muse. What is it like being her mum? Did she get bit by the fashion bug too?
KellyB: Thank you so much! I am so inspired by her and honored to be her Mom. Surprisingly she is not SUPER into fashion as most people expect she would be, but she is definitely beginning to carve out her own style in her tween years. My younger daughter Indigo Yves has def gotten bit by the fashion bug though!
JS: Give me your desert island playlist. Top five albums or artists.
KellyB: This is sooo hard! I love music and listen to it most of the day. Wu-tang, Radiohead, Rhianna, Diplo, Lolawolf
JS: Are you from NYC originally? I feel like your styling work just screams NYC street style. What are your top spots for kids in the big apple?
KellyB: I grew up in upstate NY and moved to NYC in 1997. When I was 8 years old my Grandfather took me to NYC and I knew right away that I wanted to live here. I am def very inspired by my upbringing and the streets and vibe of NYC. It’s in my blood so I agree that it does come through in my work. There are so many fun things to do with kids in NYC. We go to a lot of museums and explore playgrounds all around the city.
JS: What does the B in Kellyb stand for? Or is it top secret?
KellyB: My last name- Top secret! lol
JS: What magazines do you read on the regular?
I love physical magazines but lately have not really been buying any. I have a collection of TRACE magazines from the 90’s-00’s that I love and always pick up NYLON if I see it around.
JS: What did you want to be when you grew up as a child? How did you first get into styling?
KellyB: As a kid, I wanted to be a veterinarian or a nurse. As a teen, I started getting really into art. I also loved reading Seventeen magazine where they did high school features and I always wanted to go to the Fashion High schools I saw. I also started clipping things I liked and making collages. In 2006 I started a clothing line called Princess of the Posse. It was a women’s streetwear brand and I styled all of our lookbooks. My styling work began there. Prior to that, I did window and in-store styling for Urban Outfitters and some other retailers.
JS: What are you fave Instagram accounts? Who are your fave kid fashion influencers on the ‘gram?
KellyB: Fave style + vibe: @titi_andrea Fave tattoo artist: @themagicrosa Kid Fashion Influencers: @blau4blau @g.von.g
Thank you Kelly!
Keep up with Kelly on her Instagram page @kellybstylist and visit her portfolio here.
Missed Last weeks Chit Chat Tuesday, A Chat With André & Carmen of Maison Mangostan? View it here.
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