Profile: Kelly Wearstler
by allthebest • 7 Nov ’07 • Kelly Wearstler, profile • 20 Comments
It is a true privilege to share with you this profile of Kelly Wearstler. So much has been written about the amazingly beautiful and gifted designer Kelly Wearstler, founder of kwid and the author of Domicilium Decoratus and Modern Glamour, that it is difficult to find new words to describe this incredibly talented icon.
Highly praised for her trendsetting designs and widely celebrated as one of today’s most influential designers, Kelly Wearstler is one extraordinarily busy woman. Design aficionados will of course recognize Kelly as the creative eye and lifestyle muse for the boutique Viceroy resorts in Southern California, Miami, South Beach, Anguilla and Mexico’s Riviera Maya, as well as the imaginative talent behind the transformation of the BG restaurant and lounge at Manhattan’s Bergdorf Goodman.
Kelly, who has described her style “old-world Hollywood with a modern vibe”, has recently teamed again with Bergdorf Goodman to launch a line of exquisite home accessories bearing her name.
What I love about this profile (as well as the many others that I have done) is that Kelly comes across as a well grounded person while managing a huge and fascinating career.
How would you describe your personal style?
Sassy and unexpected.
What were you like as a child?
I was/am basically a shy girl from South Carolina. I am extroverted through my work, my passion. I am drawn to all color, I have no favorites, and, of course, unique and beautiful objects are always singing out to me.
Did you always have an interest in design?
Yes – I was always drawn to interior design. I grew up in a home that was constantly evolving, so I was always surrounded by beautiful and unusual objects, textures and colors. My mother is a closet interior designer. I grew up in an environment where everything was always in a state of flux – I’d come home from school and the dining room would be a totally new color.
Who are you style icons?
Doris Duke
What is your idea of the perfect party?
A casual pool party at my house with my family and close friends is my favorite way to spend a summer afternoon in LA.
What do you love most about your new boutique at Bergdorf Goodman?
It’s so hard to choose just one thing! I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with Bergdorf Goodman a second time (the first was with the BG Restaurant designed 2 years ago) and offer consumers an array of decorative home accessories that were influenced by vintage pieces from my personal repertoire.
Who would you most like to meet?
Dorothy Draper
What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
I worked as a waitress for years!
What is the one thing in life you can’t live without?
My family.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
I’ve accomplished so much in my career so far, but one day, I’d love to be invited to design the White House. That would be the ultimate accomplishment.
Profile by Ronda Carman
Great profile Ronda! She definitely comes across as a warm, down to earth person (albeit a very stylish one!). And of course I have to love the fact that she is a fellow Southerner
i LOVE KW…i droll over her website and “modern glamour” hoping to one day be as talented of a designer as she is.
darling how DO you DO it? It’s nice to learn more about Kelly. What a prolific creative force she is. I’m not surprised to learn that she grew up surrounded by an interest in design. The kind of style she has simply cannot be taught in school. It must be part of who you are. And it certainly is who kelly is. Amazing answers.
Thanks for gaining access to a modern day design celeb!
very nice profile!
thanks
r.
Congrats again Ronda.
I’d love to see sketchces of Kelly’s vision for the White House
I sometimes wonder it is your questions or the celebrity – they come out so down to earth in your profiles!
Absolutely admire her work and you have done a simply beautiful profile!
I’m with franki – How DO you Do it?! Yet another oh-so-fabulous top designer to add to your list. You make it seems so easy, this profile makes me want to sit down and have coffee with KW.
OMG, can you imagine her White House?? That would be amazing.
It’s a comfort to me especially this week, having given up my job and gone back to waiting tables myself to start saving for design school, that Kelly waitressed for years! Maybe I am doing something right?
Nice job? I wish you would have asked her how she finds the time to stay in such great shape!
My post was supposed to be “Nice job!” not “Nice job?” Sorry about that!
Rhonda, well done again. Even though there are a million interviews of her online you still managed to draw out something different. I would totally love to see her White House!
We really must get that girl an invitation to the White House, I am sure that it could use her style to give it a modern vibe!
Perhaps you could work on that, you always make everything look so easy!
Thank you so much for all of your nice comments. I have been really lucky with some of these profiles!
I so agree, a KW White House would be amazing!!
Well I think the country would really rock with a hip & happening President and First Lady that would hire KW.
You are amazing Ronda! Another great read. I can’t get enough, so please keep it coming! It would be great to see a Kelly White House! Ha!
I always love reading about KW and how wonderful Ronda that you have been able to profile this amazing woman!!
XX
Anna
My design icon Kelly…what a fab interview! It would be great if Kelly could put her design touch on the White House
~Kate
She sets a very high bar! I don’t know how she does it all and and still looks great, has kids, and can draw? is that her sketch of the Bergdorf boutique!?
I'm a huge fan of Kelly and am jealous that you were able to score that interview. Did you just ask her PR person over email? Do tell!
It's so interesting to learn that her mother was a closet interior designer. I just wrote a piece on her and featured her fashion sense and a peek into her closets. Come see my blog at http://www.FabGabBlog.com and let me know you stopped by!