Georgia native, Kelly Nishimoto (born June 18, 1977) is Los Angeles based fashion designer. Kelly created her first garments, (which included corsets, ball-room gowns, double breasted jackets, and handbags,) all made using colored Reynolds Wrap that she used to buy at the local grocery store. The line was a huge hit garnering her such accolades as “Top Ten Designers to Watch” by the Miami Herald in 2001. In 2005, Nishimoto launched her 1st full collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Her clothing has since been described as Easy Glamour, Lush & Comfortable, and full of Must Have Pieces! She has sold her line in over 100 boutiques and believes women should have both comfort & style in every garment!

She often designs dresses for her slightly famous sister, Meiko, who recently played on Jay Leno and confesses that she lives in her sister’s “Cute Booty” pants!

EARLY LIFE:

Kelly Nishimoto was born in the back woods of Macon, Georgia in the tiny town of Roberta (population 804) to a Scottish Irish craftsman/chemist/musician father and a Japanese American jewelry designer mother. She was exposed at a very early age to design and construction using a variety of materials. Her first wedding gown at age 13 was made of trash bags and electrical tape. Her parents divorced when she was 8 and her creativity became her savior! She spent her high school years teaching craft classes in her town and selling her hand-made jewelry to the local ladies so that she could buy “cool” school clothes! Her first job was at the trendy store in her local mall, Merry Go Round. She continued her retail path throughout Atlanta and South Florida before she figured out that she should start her own clothing line….

EDUCATION/APPRENTICESHIPS/INTERNSHIPS/CAREER:

Kelly Nishimoto is completely self-taught. She learned to sew on a sewing machine given to her from "Santa", & purchased by her dad at the local Wal-mart. She jokes that she attended “The School of Hard Knocks!”  Everything she has learned has been through trial and error. After 2 failed partnerships in the harsh fashion world, Nishimoto has decided to remain on her own for now. She prides herself in making everything in the US and for running an honest business. She most recently opened her 2nd Boutique + Creative Space in the heart of Canoga Park!

TELEVISION:

Kelly landed her 1st role after her very 1st audition on Style Network’s, “My Celebrity Home.” She also was a regular on E! Entertainment’s “The Daily 10” as a fashion trends host. She’s most widely known for her show on TLC, “Something Borrowed, Something New” (along side co-host, Sam Saboura) as the wedding dress makeover guru! She has since been a featured entrepreneur on Patrick Bet David’s YouTube channel, “Valutainment”, giving advice on business from the creative female perspective.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES:  

Kelly Nishimoto launched her collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in October 2005. She consecutively showed in March 2006, October 2006, & March 2007. She opened MB Fashion Week in March 2008 featuring Sophie Simmons runway debut on an episode of “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” – Sophie Couture. She has since shown at the posh W Hollywood Hotel and most recently at LA Fashion Week at Sunset Gower where she was featured on E! Entertainment for Bria Murphy (Eddie Murphy’s daughter) opening her show. Her clothing has been featured in major fashion magazines such as Lucky, Cosmo Girl, In Style, and Glamour and has graced the celeb bodies of Camila, Alves, Kimora Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith, Katy Perry, Hillary Duff, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Angela Basset, Marley Shelton, Roselyn Sanchez, Tori Spelling, Jenny McCarthy, Dave Navarro, and many more…