Kelly Baillon : Shoe Designer
Born in France and raised in California, my upbringing exposed me to different cultures, languages, travels, imagery, and most importantly, a "joie de vivre" that has shaped me as a creative. Being able to speak 3 languages
(English, French, and Italian) has further enabled me to ease communication with a network of suppliers and vendors, as well as create lasting relationships. I earned my BFA in Graphic Design from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and after completing internships in both New York City and Paris, hard work and determination brought me to New York
as a footwear designer.
After moving to New York, I went on to design for both boutique and larger companies, for the launches of footwear brands and categories for major retailers, as well as traveled abroad to work with footwear technicians and develop materials with suppliers in Brazil, Portugal, and China.
After 10 years of working in the field, I decided to attend Arsutoria School in Milan, Italy, to hone my skills and gain further knowledge in the industry I love. Attending the 1 Year Shoe Diploma program, I learned shoe-making from the bottom-up (or the top down depending on the construction!), 2D & 3D Design, in-depth Upper & Outsole design for both shoes and sneakers, as well as taking a more defined look at Costing, Material Consumption, Sourcing Management, and the role of Sustainability & Biodegradability in our industry— all of which have made me a better designer.
I believe that learning and knowledge can be infinite, especially as our industry changes and grows to meet the demands of the current climate. If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that I don't know everything, and I truly believe that this is why I am good at what I do.
“Kelly is first and foremost dedicated to her craft.
Her designs are effortlessly chic and emblematic of timeless craftsmanship. Kelly has a natural ability to engage and connect with all of those around her. She exudes a passion for her work that consistently inspires others – she is a joy to work with."
—Chantelle S. White
Emerging Media Executive,
Intrapreneur
"As the Global Sales Manager for our fashion division at Giardini, it’s very important to be able to interact with competent designers at our customers who have a broad vision when evaluating the products that I propose for the season.
Kelly is one of the most talented designers I’ve had the pleasure
to cooperate with. Passionate about design, imaginative, professional and technically knowledgeable, she’s able
to immediately understand among the products offered which are suitable for her styles. To top it, she’s also a pleasant person.
You’ll all need to remember Kelly’s name because you’ll hear it attached to great things to come."
— Serafino A
Giardini, SPA, Italy