Our guest today is Kelly Dempsey – a sustainable fashion designer and Project Runway Season 14 runner-up. She has become a leading voice for sustainability and equitability in the fashion industry and has been featured on Good Morning American and in Marie Claire.

Born and raised in Munsen, MA, Kelly taught herself to upcycle when she was 9 years old. Bullied in school, she used these experiences to eventually launch a terrifically successful career.

Her passion for upcycling has led her to numerous opportunities - several of which are her courses on sewing and upcycling.

When not teaching or creating, Kelly loves to be in nature. She currently lives in Boston with her boyfriend of 10 years.

(1:34) How did Kelly learn to sew? As a 9-year-old she started to experiment! As a kid she would shop at the secondhand store two doors down and since she was in a small town…she inevitably ended up buying her school mate’s clothes. This led to some pretty intense bullying. So…she experimented and learned to make her own clothing.

(3:45) In the bullying she experienced, Kelly said it ignited her to be strong. Listen as she gives advice to those who are being bullied today.

(5:17) And then there’s “Kelly from the Deli” who stared on Project Runway. Here’s her story about this adventure. And…she got a surprise email to be on the show.

(7:10) While on Project Runway, Kelly took Tim Gunn to the Deli where she had worked. She had often dreamed of this…and 10 years to the day she first thought of it…he was there!

(8:00) How did she finally get to be on the show. Well after sleeping in her car many times…she never gave up. She takes us on the journey.

(9:30) She was he only self-taught designer on the show…she explains how this felt and how it motivated her!

(10:28) Kelly takes us behind the scenes of Project runway and shares with us the different requirements. And how she had to put her life on hold for the duration of filming the show.

(13:30) Kelly talks about fast fashion and how it adds to pollution worldwide. 1 in four people in the world are garment workers…and most are women. She describes the conditions they work in. 

(18:20) What can we as consumers do with the clothing we no longer need? Kelly explains the theory of shopping our closets. She also talks about her “Mittens for Good” initiative sponsored by BERNINA.

(20:58) Kelly explains upcycling and how to get started.

(22:44) Mettler Thread https://www.amann-mettler.com/en/ and Kelly just completed one of her very favorite upcycling projects. She talks about this and some of her other favorite projects.

(25:06) She takes us through the process she follows to create her courses.

(26:11) Kelly’s heard “NO” many times…she tells us abut how she worked her way through a few of these times. Starting with sending 50 emails a day! What you’re seeking is seeking you!

(28:14) So, what’s next? How about being an ambassador for the New York Fashion Act?! https://www.thefashionact.org/ But wait...there’s more!

(30:00) What’s her dream?!

(30:28) And what didn’t I ask? Well, how about her being on a billboard in Time Square during New York Fashion Week?! There was definitely Karma involved!

(31:55) To reach out to Kelly go to her Face Book and Instagram. Lots of links on Instagram! Also www.Kelleydempsey.com.

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website www.sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our guests. 

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.