CHAPTER II
with flying colors
Photos by Chris Granger
Kelly's couture experience continued at noted
costume and dress designer Kathleen Van Horn's
atelier. Known for her love of color and passion
for fashion history, Kathleen was the perfect choice to
create party dresses and ball gowns for both Kelly and
Andrée. Walking into Kathleen's studio is like walking
into a candy shop. Bolts of dreamy fabrics line the walls
and her treasure trove of vintage buttons, ribbons, and
embellishments reflects her endless creativity. I could
spend hours studying her vast collection of Barbie dolls
sporting detailed custom dresses from every fashion era
and poring over her drawers and drawers of rhinestones,
baubles, and bugle beads.
Kelly's "big soirée" was planned with three other debutantes
and they each envisioned attire that would follow the
chosen theme of The Four Seasons. "We all gathered at a
coffee shop to draw from a hat," Kelly explains. "I picked
Autumn and wanted to try my best to incorporate the
season into my dress. I love color so I immediately ruled
out the browns of Fall. At Promenade, Kathleen found
a beautiful double faced silk taffeta in persimmon and
melon that captures all things Fall to me."
24 ADORE • MARCH 2020