Born and raised in Montreal, Kelly Ryan studied painting at Écoles des Beaux Art in Paris and is a graduate of Parsons School of Design, New York.

Her love of luxury design started at Barry Kieselstein-Cord, where she initiated his iconic handbag collection, which was sold at Bergdorf Goodman. Two styles are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art permanent collection.

She combined handbag, jewelry and accessory design under one roof when she launched her own company in 1992,opening a boutique in SoHo, NY and two boutiques in Japan. Her private label clients included Valentino, Donna Karan and Tommy Hilfiger.

Ryan has also designed handbags for Isabella Fiore, J. Mendel and Tahari. Currently, she is Director of Design, Karl Lagerfeld handbags, G-III Apparel Group.