COMM: An hour glass figure is a dream for
most women, but Kelly Lee Dekay has taken it to the next level.
Kelly Lee Dekay: I love the fact that fabric
and thread can be manipulated in order to create such a drastic silhouette.
COMM: Growing up fashion designer Kelly was
obsessed with comic book heroes, and inspired by their look.
Kelly Lee Dekay: I didn't set out to have
a small waist, it wasn't something that I thought about, the thing that I did think
about is becoming a super villain to be honest, to become like a comic book character.
In terms of style, my favourite comic book hero, it would have to be Storm for sure, she was the
one that really did it for me. But it was like, oh my god and I feel so silly saying this, but it really
was Jessica Rabbit also.
COMM: So at 20 years old, Kelly began wearing
a tight steel-bonded corset to sculpt her waist. After 7 years of dedicated corseting, Kelly's
waist now measures a minuscule 16 inches.
Kelly Lee Dekay: I teeter between 16 and 18,
it just depends, I have no interest in doing anything smaller than 16 only because I
really love the ratio of 16 and I'm more than satisfied with 16.
COMM: And it's not just the corset that helps
Kelly achieve her unique figure.
Kelly Lee Dekay: A lot of the food stuff as
far as my diet is a trade secret, so I cant really divulge on it but I will say, don't
have anything that makes you bloated and no carbonated drinks outside of tight lacing.
I was always really like healthy with my eating habits although I do indulge in the burger
and the macaroon.
COMM: To Kelly wearing a corset isn't about
shocking the crowds or being super slim, but when she takes to the streets of New York,
she receives a mixed response.
MAN IN THE STREET: I think its, its extreme
to go to that length to re-shape your body in such a way, I feel sorry for her 10 years
from now, somebody is going to pay the consequence and it'll be her.
LADY IN THE STREET: I think Kelly looks great.
ANOTHER LADY IN THE STREET: I would not want
to achieve this look it looks very off, it doesn't look normal and it doesn't look good.
THIRD LADY: She is looking so gorgeous like
beyond like super model pageant like perfect. She is like the living body-ment of Jessica
Rabbit but so much better.
COMM: When faced with questions about her
corseting, Kelly is keen to stress that she takes the greatest of care when it comes to
her health.
FASHION STUDENT: I'm a fashion student. So
just out of curiosity like because I have seen what happens to women's organs and bones
inside from prolonged corset wear, have you seen a doctor?
Kelly Lee Dekay: So whenever I do go to the
doctor I'm not wearing my corset but you can feel my rib cage is a little bit different, so
yes I've done my check ups and everything is all healthy and good, there's like this
misconception that your organs like really change, like they totally shift down but its
like half an inch or less than half an inch that it shifts a little.
COMM: Kelly's love of corsets and haute couture
have influenced her unique look, and she will continue to follow her dreams making a career
in designing and modelling.
Kelly Lee Dekay: I was always really in love
with the idea of bringing fantasy into my everyday life. Whenever someone
says to me "that looks so unnatural" - I have big bright blue hair, what part of me screams
I want to look like everybody else?!