Kelly is now back in New Zealand for the first time in two years. He has a temporary studio in Auckland and will launch his first standalone collection at New Zealand Fashion Week in August.
"To be doing my own collection on home soil is crazy," he told the Herald on Sunday.
"Three years ago I came up to Auckland and sneaked into the shows and after-parties. Now I will be hosting my own."
After winning Project Runway, Kelly took off to Europe for four months in search of creative inspiration. He returned to New York with enough ideas for New Zealand Fashion Week and for his first winter collection, to be unveiled in the United States later in the year.
"The TV show was a really good launching pad and has taught me that anything is possible," he said.
"I am creating my collection for Fashion Week from scratch and don't mind getting behind a sewing machine to help make it happen."
He was aware of rumours this could be the last New Zealand Fashion Week but hoped the event would continue. "It would be really sad if it stopped because it puts an international spotlight on New Zealand," he said.
Back in the Big Apple, Kelly has been designing bespoke clothes for famous clients from the worlds of music, modelling and television.
Because of confidentiality deals he cannot reveal his clients. He has also had orders from Russia, Iran and Dubai.
He stays in touch with Klum and was invited to her Halloween Party last year.
"I went as a geisha girl," Kelly said. "But it was hard to compete with other people who had amazing prosthetic outfits and some were dressed up as trees from Lord of the Rings."
His next step was to establish himself as a name designer. "It is now time to take things a step further."
