This is the fancy version of my biography that my last PR firm wrote in order to gain "buzz" (ugh) and secure bookings on TV, Radio and other "expert" type opportunities. I am lazy and don't like to write about this stuff in particular so I will just copy and paste.
Kelly Ryan O’Brien is one of the country’s most respected style experts, with a broad portfolio of experience in pop culture, fashion, styling and runway events.
In her previous role as Marketing Director for Billion Dollar Babes, Kelly was instrumental in executing events, maintaining brand integrity and overseeing the introduction of several established and up-and-coming designers to the company. She helped seamlessly transition the brand from exclusive sample sale fashion events to a mega online designer sales resource.
Prior to Billion Dollar Babes, Kelly served as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Michigan Avenue Magazine under the Niche Media umbrella of publications. Her primary responsibilities were to increase brand awareness, introduce Niche Media executives into the Chicago marketplace and plan marquee events, social fundraisers and galas.
In 2002, Kelly joined Gen Art and successfully introduced a greater awareness and presence of high fashion to the Chicago area as the company’s National Marketing Director. Kelly spent five years working for the premiere non-profit for emerging artists, and was responsible for implementing the city’s leading arts and entertainment events such as Fresh Faces in Fashion and Styles and Ignite. Through her work with Gen Art, Kelly quickly grew to become one of Chicago’s style mavens, having been called one of the city’s most influential “it” girls by the Chicago Sun-Times in March of 2008, and one of the 40 most influential Chicagoans in 2006. Additionally Kelly has been featured in national magazines such as Lucky Magazine, served as a judge on three seasons of Bravo's emmy nominated hit show, Project Runway, and a casting judge for numerous other fashion projects. Most recently Kelly was part of a presentation for Bravo executives surrounding the life of thirtysomethings in LA fashion.
Kelly has a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Merchandising with a Minor in Business from Indiana University. She also attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and American Intercontinental University in London where she studied international retail, retail merchandising, fashion show production, fashion illustration and fashion design.
This is where I chime back in...
I have been working as a brand consultant and journalist for the past year while recovering from some nasty intestinal/girl parts stuff. This blog was born out of boredom during said sick-time and has become a full time (insert word that means fun job).
So, now what? Good question, thanks for asking. I use what I know, and my painfully (but shamelessly!) outrospective personality to document what I see, hear, taste (even though I don't get to taste that much whatwithmyintestinalissuesandall) and consequently think about. Most often things related to pop culture and fashion. Cause that's what I know, or I think I know, or say I know. You get it.
