Patrick Kelly: The American in Paris

“There were no opportunities for him, but he made it anyway.” —Pat Cleveland Filmed in New York City, Paris, and the de Young museum, this short documentary—named an Honoree by The Webby Awards in the 2022 'Video - Documentary: Longform' category—celebrates the life, career, and legacy of Black fashion designer Patrick Kelly (1954–1990). Kelly’s evolution from “little young American from Mississippi to a grand master of fashion in Paris” is captured in vintage footage, as well as accounts of his friends and close collaborators, including business and life partner Bjorn Amelan, supermodel and friend Pat Cleveland, Kelly's right hand Elizabeth "Ms. Liz" Goodrum, “Paris Match” photographer Gilles Decamps, runway show coordinator Audrey Smaltz, and cofounder of the Kelly Initiative Kibwe Chase-Marshall. The film also features an interview with Laura L. Camerlengo, associate curator of costume and textile arts at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and offers a look into the “Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love" exhibition at the de Young museum. “Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love" is on view at the de Young museum October 23, 2021 through April 24, 2022. Learn more at https://deyoung.famsf.org/exhibitions/patrick-kelly Statement from the director Rashidi Natara Harper: Growing up with my mom, I used to pour over all of her fashion magazines, marveling at the beautiful women, clean photography, and unique fashion styles within their pages. From “Essence” to “Vogue” to “Elle,” the