“Plus-size people aren’t always able to express themselves through fashion because the options can be so limited,” says Leila Kelleher, a pattern designer and assistant professor at Parsons School of Design. Luckily, Leila learned to sew in high school. She now makes 75% of her own clothes; and for the other 25%, “I like to support companies that support my body.” Here, Leila shares five outfits she wore in a week…
Shirt: Lobethal, “made by me from my pattern company Muna and Broad.” Skirt: Pyrmont, “made by me from my pattern company Muna and Broad.” Shoes: Hark Weber. Socks: Bombas. Glasses: Platoy. Lip color: Glossier lipstick in Zip.
“I grew up in Sydney and learned to sew in high school. In class, we made tailored jackets, swimwear, formal prom looks, everything!”
“People always told me that sewing your own underwear was life-changing. Even though I knew I could buy completely fine underwear, I figured, Okay, fine, I’ll make a pattern and sew it up. I was completely blown away. Now 100% of my underwear is made by me.”
Denim outfit: Street & Saddle shirt, pants, and ribbon tie. Sneakers: SAS X Body of Work (no longer available). Belt: Etsy, similar. Sunglasses: “vintage seventies glasses from Fabulous Fanny’s.” Lip color: Merit Flush Balm in “Persimmon.”
“This outfit is from Street & Saddle, which has an equestrian, slightly Western vibe. They’re amazing in terms of inclusion. Everything is made to order, so you just put in your measurements, and they’ll customize any garment.”
“At Parsons, I love looking at my students’ outfits. Every day feels like a fashion show. And when a colleague says, ‘Oh my god, your outfit is so great,’ it feels good because, well, they know.”
Dress: Irregular Sleep Pattern. Necklace: Barrow PDX. Shoes: Torrid, similar. Glasses: Platoy.
“This dress is technically sleepwear, but you can wear it outside. I love bright, saturated colors.”
“My hair changes a lot. Right now, I’ve got an Edna Mode thing happening. For glasses, I’m obsessed with Fabulous Fanny’s and Opticianado.”
Jacket: a Space, in between. Shirt: similar. Jeans: “Cooper jeans from my pattern company Muna and Broad.” Sneakers: SAS X Body of Work (no longer available). Necklaces: Hesta.
“I got my Ph.D. in biomechanics, which is basically the study of how the human body works and moves. Looking at bodies in that way helped me get away from the ‘good’/‘bad’ body paradigm that fashion is so invested in. I started thinking about how to make patterns to fit this shape or that shape. Nothing looks better than clothes that fit beautifully.”
“Inspired, I co-founded a plus-size sewing pattern brand, Muna and Broad, and a plus-size luxury fashion brand, a space, in between. This bomber jacket is from my company.”
“I took one of my kids to do a jewelry making workshop at Hesta. When we walked in, I saw a necklace made of carabiners. It was so cool. Then I made one, which is not nearly as cool!”
T-shirt: Arq. Skirt: “Pyrmont skirt made by me from my pattern company Muna and Broad.” Belts: Etsy and Street & Saddle. Boots: Tracey Neuls. Bag: Lindquist. Glasses: Fabulous Fanny’s.
“You can wear a simple outfit, but if you have a hero piece, it brings it all together. This red bag is a hero piece for me. It anchors an outfit.”
“I recently met someone wearing multiple skirts, many garments, and three belts. I was super inspired by him and his three-belt situation. I immediately thought, How many belts do I have? Fashion sometimes feels serious, but it has to be fun, too.”
Thank you, Leila and congratulations on your new book!
P.S. More weeks of outfits, including a therapist with a flower garden and cardiologist who loves color.
(Photos by Yumi Matsuo for Cup of Jo.)
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