Kelly left Winterton Comprehensive School in 2007 and went on to study Art, Business Studies, English and Textiles A levels at John Leggott Collage. She moved to Sheffield in 2009 to study Fashion Design for four years on a Masters course.
Whilst at university Kelly developed her area of specialism in womenswear and bridal design. During the four years on the MDes Fashion Design course she has established a strong design philosophy of producing skilled pieces using traditional construction techniques mixed with innovative fabrics and contemporary silhouettes.
Alongside her degree work she worked at Tickled Pink Bridal and also took on commissions producing bridesmaid and wedding dresses. In her fourth year Kelly was selected as one of twelve finalists in The Best Student Designer of the Year as part of the 2013 National Bridal Buyer Awards judged by Bridalwear designer Ian Stuart. Her dress was exhibited at the British Bridal Exhibition in Harrogate and was on the catwalk during the award ceremony.
Kelly’s graduate collection ‘Forging Heritage’ aims to highlight the decline of craftsmanship whilst informing a modern young bride to be sustainable and preserve cultural wedding traditions. Studying in Sheffield increased her awareness of craftsmanship and local heritage which became an inherent part of Kelly’s work as a designer.
Upon completion of her degree in May Kelly was awarded a 1st Class Honours and selected to open the university’s fashion show. She was awarded the runner up prize in Brightest Spark 2013 judged by Panache Lingerie. After leaving University in June Kelly went to work for Sheffield based designer, Nabil Nayal for two months helping to design and produce his Spring/ Summer 2014 Collection. Alongside this she began to build her own label and launch her own business. In September 2013 Kelly helped organise a charity fashion show in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma research. She showcased her university work and graduate collection, Forging Heritage and in the process the event raised £872.57.
Since Kelly launched KMR Bespoke Bridal Designer in 2013 she has been featured in British Vogue Magazine, Vogue Italia, Love My Dress, Wedding Chicks, Brides Up North, Rock My Wedding Love Lust List, Save the Date Magazine, Whimsical Wonderland Wedding, Buckinghams Wedding Magazine, Mode Magazine Sheffield, Profile Magazine, Westside Magazine, The Sheffield Star, The Scunthorpe Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post. Kelly has also supported the Sheffield Star’s win a wedding competition which was held in October 2014. In April 2014 Kelly launched her 2015 Bridal Collection named 'The Whiting Collection' named after her late grandmother.
In September 2014 Kelly helped organise a second charity fashion show in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma research raising £1007.59. In 2015 Kelly launched her bridal accessories range and online store. Since early 2015 Kelly has stocked her Whiting Collection and Accessories range in Leeds and Barnsley based bridal boutiques. In March 2015 Kelly was awarded the Duke of York Young Entrepeneur Award. In May 2015 Kelly was a finalist in the I Do Wedding Magazine Awards for Bridalwear. In November 2015 Kelly was a regional finalist in The Wedding Industry Awards for best Designer/ Dressmaker for the North East. In November 2016 Kelly was a regional finalist for the second year and was also awarded a Regional Highly Recommended Award. Kelly was a regional finalist in The Wedding Industry Awards in 2017 and 2018, four years in row.
In July 2017 Kelly married her husband Glynn. Kelly made her own bespoke wedding gown and accessories. You can view photos of her own wedding via this link in our KMR Brides Gallery. Kelly also made her mum's and mother-in-law's outfits aswell as the wedding decor. Kelly and Glynn's wedding was also featured on Love My Dress. You can view the feature via this link Love My Dress Feature.
In April 2018 Kelly opened her Kelham Island studio in Sheffield where KMR Bespoke Bridal Designer is now based.