Kelly wowed judge Heidi Klum and mentor Tim Gunn on the show, memorably creating a dress with dye built into the seams that turned from white to multi-coloured when "rain" fell from the ceiling. Klum still raves about it, telling Viva earlier this year: "He's very technically gifted, and had some great ideas - I mean, he had some of the best designs I feel like I've seen over the last 12 years of doing Project Runway!"
Kelly grew up on a dairy farm in Taranaki and studied fashion design in Wellington at Massey University, before moving to New York. He has been back in New Zealand for the past three months working on the range, which is based around the idea of artists' muses.
Kelly plans to sell his debut collection online and hopes to find stockists in New York, where he will also base himself for the foreseeable future. He also has an off-site presentation lined up to deliver to key media at New York Fashion Week next month.
Earlier in the week, NZFW managing director Dame Pieter Stewart said she was encouraged by some of the new design talent showing at this year's event. "There's some very special new young designers that I hope manage to get enough behind them to be sustainable," she said, naming Sean Kelly as one to watch.
Today's Fashion Week highlights
12pm Miromoda showcase
5pm Project Runway winner Sean Kelly
6pm Hailwood
8pm Ruby
9pm Zambesi
From the front row, backstage and after-parties, get your ultimate Fashion Week coverage at Viva.
