(Video: Joe Loper of Guerilla Photography)
Interview with Kelly Dempsey of Rack Addik
Project Runway alum Kelly Dempsey recently debuted her FW17 collection at AMCONYC during New York Fashion week. The new collection was the latest from Rack Addik, her fashion-forward streetwear line (with some items already available for purchase online).
Rack Addik’s Fall/Winter 2017 collection was constructed with intent to exist in a “world without labels.” Dempsey says, “I believe that real beauty is present once you are able to look at someone and view them without confinement.”
FWO’s Melanie Sutrathada caught up with Dempsey backstage to ask her about the new collection.
Q: How would you describe the collection in 3 words?
Glitter and grunge.
Q: What inspired this amazing glitter and grunge collection?
What I love about the grunge era is that nobody gives a crap about anything. You know, I don’t believe in labels. I feel like when you put labels on things, it sort of constricts your creativity, and I really want to have a collection where — if I want to wear bright pink with black sparkle, sure — if I want to wear bell bottoms why not? Like who is going to tell me no. I wear what I want.
So I sort of want to put that message out. You can do whatever the hell you want.
When you put labels on things, it sort of constricts your creativity.
Q: I have to say that that is so Kelly on so many levels. I think if you’ve seen her on TV, she’s got such a vivacious personality, and it really shows through in her clothes. I feel like everyone who wears your clothes is just having a ball of a time.
Always fun.
Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a designer?
I consider myself more of an artist than a designer. I love to make things and see it on the runway, it’s amazing.
Q: This is your second collection show with AMCONYC. Can you tell me a little bit about the process of making it all happen?
It was a little bit last-minute this season, which is always … what am I saying, it’s always like that. So running around crazy, but I feel like I do my best work last minute, pulling everything together, so I’m super excited to see how everything comes out.
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Learn More
www.rackaddik.com
www.amconyc.com
With love,
FWO
