Kelsey Randall '05: Designing for Taylor Swift and Living a Creative's Dream

For Kelsey Randall '05, designing custom garments for some of the world’s biggest stars has become part of her everyday life. The New York–based designer and stylist has dressed names like Lizzo, Margot Robbie and Carrie Underwood. But her latest milestone is a career-defining dream come true: designing for a global icon, and her personal favorite artist, Taylor Swift.

Swift’s newest album, "The Life of a Showgirl" (released Oct. 3, 2025), features not one but two custom Kelsey Randall creations. Swift dons her design in the already-viral video for "The Fate of Ophelia," which has 23 million views on YouTube (and counting). The same look will also appear on the cover of the limited-release acoustic version of the record. A second Kelsey Randall piece is showcased in promotional photography for the album, as well as the official album art. 

"When I launched my brand 10 years ago, the first name on the top of my list of people I wanted to dress was ALWAYS Taylor Swift," Ms. Randall shared on Instagram. "It has truly been the honor of my career to design for my favorite artist!"

For Ms. Randall, the dream became real when Swift’s styling team reached out earlier this year, asking for one of her signature chainmail dresses.

"I knew it was for Taylor, but they had to keep the theme a complete secret," she recalled, speaking to Page Six Style. She describes these recent days as "truly a fashion girl's dream!" 

Ms. Randall’s love for design started early. As a student, she pored over bridal magazines and runway shows, dreaming of creating clothes that would capture a sense of drama and beauty. She remains close friends with Rachel Shunnarah '05, associate director of college counseling at HIES, whom she met in her early days as a Golden Bear.

"It's extremely gratifying to see my dear friend's hard work pay off after two decades in the business," Ms. Shunnarah said. "She's been talented since the minute I met her...she created and sold duct tape purses and custom mini skirts to our classmates in Middle School! She always had big dreams, and through hard work and determination, she's realized them."

After graduating from HIES, Ms. Randall attended the prominent Parsons School of Design, where she won the Parsons Critic’s Choice Award. She launched her own label in 2015, building a reputation for bold, made-to-measure pieces beloved by musicians, brides and fashion insiders. She also teaches a sewing class at Parsons, giving back to the fashion program that helped launch her career.

Despite her global success, Ms. Randall still points back to HIES as the place where her creative journey first found solid ground. During a 2018 visit where she held an on-campus editorial photo shoot, she reflected on her formative years in the Fine Arts program:

"What I always loved about Holy Innocents’ is that everyone supported that I wanted to have a career in the arts. A lot of times, kids that want to work in creative fields are encouraged not to study that, or to go to college for something else. My teachers always told me that this was something I could do if I worked hard for it." 

Ms. Randall credits her HIES teachers for preparing her with both the confidence and the technical skills to succeed at Parsons. Among others, she particularly remembers the guidance and support of her former Upper School art teachers Alice Thompson and Judie Jacobs, as well as her close relationship with Dorothy Sullivan, who was Ms. Randall's Lower School Principal. 

Now, as Kelsey Randall '05 continues to bring her bold vision to life and enjoys her own center-stage moment, she carries with her the encouragement and foundation she first found at The 805.