Editorial & Advertising

Fashion Fridays ~ Kelly Thompson

Fashion Fridays ~ Kelly Thompson

Kelly Thompson is an illustrator, photographer and art director currently living in Melbourne, Australia. Having gained a reputation as a public speaker and fashion enthusiast she has worked for many well-known brands. Her work, beautiful and ephemeral, exhibits women that have been described as “nonchalantly sexy.”

Thompson completed a Bachelor of Design with honours in Photography at Massey University in New Zealand. Working as a manager in a sunglass store, she tirelessly sent out emails to magazines, hoping someone would give her a break. Work opportunities slowly came in, and by 2006, she built up enough work to allow her to leave the shop and become a freelancer full-time.

Moving steadily past her early days, “living the existence of a starving artist,” Thompson’s clients include Gary Pepper Girl, Penguin Books, Nike, Mimco, The Sunday Times, Escada Paris, Maybelline NYC, and Covergirl. In 2013, Kelly released her first book, a collaboration with photographer Derek Henderson, Darkness of Noon. In 2014, she co-curated the inspiring book, CURVY, that featured the most exciting female creatives in illustration, fashion and photography.

Thompson has carved out an influential platform for herself. She is a regularly invited guest speaker at events and universities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and New Zealand. She has hosted Masterclasses for Nintendo and Maybelline NY. In 2014 Kelly spoke on the Curvy Creative Panel as part of the Semi Permanent Sydney Conference.

Last year, Thompson and Andrew Archer founded a new creative studio UNA. Combining their very individual approaches, UNA Specialises in illustration and art direction.

You can see more of Kelly Thompson’s work on her website, Instagram, follow her on twitter and buy her prints on the UNA shop. Thompson also has a wonderful collection of her elegant nudes on Pinterest.

Fashion Fridays ~ Kelly Thompson
Fashion Fridays ~ Kelly Thompson
Fashion Fridays ~ Kelly Thompson
Fashion Fridays ~ Kelly Thompson
Fashion Fridays ~ Kelly Thompson

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