Designer Kelsey Randall Discusses Working With A-List Celebrities, Viral Fashion Moments

Designer Kelsey Randall has opened up about the realities of creating custom garments for high-profile clients, including Taylor Swift, Lizzo, and Hilary Duff. Randall, known for her distinctive, often bedazzled creations, described the profession as requiring flexibility and a readiness for unexpected challenges.

"You have to be flexible, don't be precious and be prepared for things to go wrong!" Randall told the Daily Mail. She recounted a recent incident where a client's pieces were delayed in customs, making them miss a fitting. "It's a bummer, but you can't ever get too excited about the prospect of any one placement because it can totally fall through the cracks," she explained, emphasizing the need to manage expectations in a fast-paced industry. Randall also noted that custom pieces commissioned for urgent celebrity needs are sometimes never worn, illustrating the unpredictable nature of her work.

One of Randall's recent creations, a star dress worn by Hilary Duff on tour, has become a significant talking point on social media, with fans attempting to recreate the look. The designer revealed that this particular dress was conceptualized seven years prior to its viral moment, highlighting her belief in the right timing for success. "You have to believe things are going to happen the way they're supposed to and at the right moment," she stated.

Randall described her collaboration with Duff for the world tour as a "wonderful collaborative process." She explained that Duff's stylist discovered the star dress on Pinterest and reached out, seeking similar nostalgic yet glamorous designs. "It's just been such a wonderful collaborative process with them. It's been really fun because she and Hilary are both very supportive of my crazy ideas!" Randall said.

Beyond her work with individual artists, Randall has launched a new creative partnership with the shoe and accessory brand Kurt Geiger. This collaboration marks the beginning of a series of capsule collections aimed at merging the styles of London and New York.

"The first collection, we wanted to do something that was really my vibe and honoring my hometown, which I consider Brooklyn, so it's this idea of Brooklyn meets London," Randall explained. She expressed admiration for Kurt Geiger's values, particularly their Kindness Foundation, which supports young people entering the fashion industry, and the brand's inclusive stance and support for the LGBTQ+ community. "It's definitely a pinch me kind of moment, because there's actually not a lot of, you know, larger brands that have such a strong social impact," she added.

The Kelsey Randall x Kurt Geiger collection is set to launch on September 16, available online and in select stores, with prices starting at £29.