Some of Thompson’s designs for Mobile royals are also included in the art center’s exhibit.
The designer’s legacy in the world of fashion is one that is well-earned. His stories about his studies sound like a romantic novel set with where else but Paris as its backdrop.
After a four-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Thompson said, he and his wife, Mamie, took a trip to New York, where he was convinced he would study at the Parsons School of Design. However, that plan was derailed after he saw an article in the Mobile Press-Register about fashions from the house of Christian Dior.
"I actually wrote that designer a letter and asked about where I should study. I was shocked when he responded and suggested a school in Paris, the same school where Yves St. Laurent studied."
Thompson said he applied to Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and was denied.
"But I wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. I built a portfolio and sent it back to the school with my application again."
Thompson later became a part of an elite international class of students consisting of 24 people from 12 nationalities.
"It was a unique experience. And it was hard being away from my wife, but she visited me at Christmas," Thompson said.
Taking fashion design classes while studying to master the French language was rigorous, but Thompson said he has no regrets.
In 1964 he set up shop on Dauphin Street in Mobile and the rest is an alluring history of exquisite and one-of-a-kind designs.
"I have been very blessed. God gave me a gift of having a flair for color and an eye for design. I’ve never gotten up and went to work," Thompson said. "I went to my hobby."
Thompson was once told by a client that there is one problem with his clothing — it never goes out of style.
"But that’s what haute couture is really all about. I was taught in an era when designers made clothes to last forever."
Thompson said he is still creating haute couture fashion the way he learned it decades ago.
"We still design from scratch, beginning with sketches and making patterns for each individual."
When asked if he will ever retire, Kelly said, "I hope not. I love what I do, and when I die I hope I’m on the dance floor dancing."
The designer’s legacy in the world of fashion is one that is well-earned. His stories about his studies sound like a romantic novel set with where else but Paris as its backdrop.
After a four-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Thompson said, he and his wife, Mamie, took a trip to New York, where he was convinced he would study at the Parsons School of Design. However, that plan was derailed after he saw an article in the Mobile Press-Register about fashions from the house of Christian Dior.
"I actually wrote that designer a letter and asked about where I should study. I was shocked when he responded and suggested a school in Paris, the same school where Yves St. Laurent studied."
Thompson said he applied to Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and was denied.
"But I wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. I built a portfolio and sent it back to the school with my application again."
Thompson later became a part of an elite international class of students consisting of 24 people from 12 nationalities.
"It was a unique experience. And it was hard being away from my wife, but she visited me at Christmas," Thompson said.
Taking fashion design classes while studying to master the French language was rigorous, but Thompson said he has no regrets.
In 1964 he set up shop on Dauphin Street in Mobile and the rest is an alluring history of exquisite and one-of-a-kind designs.
"I have been very blessed. God gave me a gift of having a flair for color and an eye for design. I’ve never gotten up and went to work," Thompson said. "I went to my hobby."
Thompson was once told by a client that there is one problem with his clothing — it never goes out of style.
"But that’s what haute couture is really all about. I was taught in an era when designers made clothes to last forever."
Thompson said he is still creating haute couture fashion the way he learned it decades ago.
"We still design from scratch, beginning with sketches and making patterns for each individual."
When asked if he will ever retire, Kelly said, "I hope not. I love what I do, and when I die I hope I’m on the dance floor dancing."
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