Peppermint Magazine
Multi award-winning designer Leah Kelly is also a passionate musician and strong supporter of Indigenous Australian culture. Regularly commissioned by theatre and performance groups, Leah creates sustainable formal and wedding dresses by hand, sans electricity, from the remote Queensland rainforest in which she lives. We tracked down Leah to find out about her designs and inspirations…
Each piece is made by myself to ensure a quality standard of craft. Every seed, every shell, every precious stone I choose and hand drill myself, and every stitch of embroidery I hand stitch myself, something which, in this day, is somewhat of a dying art. I spent many years designing and making clothes out of cheap and nasty fabric but, with the amount of detail I put into my designs, I wanted something alot more enduring as I see each piece as an heirloom. After much research, I found hemp to be the most durable, eco-friendly and classically elegant. Therefore my brand, Leah Kelly by design, stands behind exactly that.
What inspires you?
Life inspires me! From mother earth, to art, to music, to my children. Living without electricity for such a long period of time really does allow one to know one is alive! But unfortunately we need to have money to survive as well, and I like to live by mother Theresa’s quote: ” To work without love is slavery”. I am fortunate enough to love my work and every aspect of my life gives me enough inspiration to continue being creative.
How does the Aboriginal community influence and inspire you and your work?
I was most honoured and fortunate enough to have learnt the Aboriginal language (Djabugay) from this rainforest in which I live. As a child I also learnt the piano and later learnt the guitar, so with music in my veins we formed a band (Gudju Gudju) to keep this ancient tongue a love through song. This language and music has taken me to some amazing ancient sites and allowed me to see some incredible art and meet some beautiful people. All of which inspires me more to create earthy, almost tribal, designs and pieces./
What’s next for Leah Kelly?
My biggest aspiration is to be recognised as an organic designer. I spent five years studying a degree in environmental science and know the importance of leaving the minimal of carbon footprints. I think we as consumers need to be made more aware of this, and most importantly, we as business people should provide a product that is kind to our earth. I think Leah Kelly will be up in lights some day, I just hope it is solar powered!
