Name: WanderBirdCo by Kelly Kardos
Website: www.wanderbirdco.com
Socials: @wanderbirdco
What inspires you?
I’m endlessly inspired by pre-loved fabrics and textiles that carry whispers of the lives they’ve touched. The distress on a loved quilt that somebody’s grandmother made, left for the landfill. To work with these fabrics is to honour what came before while giving them new life, embracing their past and creating a new chapter for them.
What is the story behind your brand?
The story of my brand started long before I ever touched a sewing machine. As a little girl, I spent most weekends treasure hunting with my mother, who was an antique dealer. We’d get up as early as the sun and be on our way, hitting all the local garage sales looking for the next antique before anyone else. I spent countless afternoons doing my homework in her chilly antique shop, surrounded by the smell of old wood and mothballs. Watching her, I felt so inspired by her deep love for history and the beauty she saw in things others overlooked.
That love stayed with me. As an adult, I found my own way of honouring the past… through textiles. One day, I bought an old Singer sewing machine and sat down in front of it, determined to figure it out. I never learned the ‘right’ way to sew, I never followed patterns or looked up how to make a proper seam, I just created. And I still do. Almost six years later, every piece I make is sewn from instinct, feeling, and heart. imperfect, raw, and full of life.
I owe my love for old things to my mom, and my work is a tribute to that shared history, a way of breathing new life into forgotten fabrics and carrying their stories forward.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out?
Focus on finding what truly speaks to you. Build your brand entirely around the looks you love, make them your own and brand the hell out of it. Your people will find you. Never lose yourself trying to create for others; create from your heart, and the right audience will come.
What do you love most about FAT?
The first time I went to FAT was one of the first times I left my little basement sewing studio. Since COVID, I’ve had two children, and with clothing creation as my full-time work, I’ve spent so much of my time alone. It’s been hard to connect with people about the thing I love most… fashion, art and creation. But at FAT, for the first time, I felt like I could relate to everyone, anyone. I felt understood. I sat in the audience, ugly crying while watching the artists showcasing their work, feeling like I’d stepped into a place where we could all just be ourselves and celebrate all of it and everyone for who they are and what they create. It was the first time in a long time I felt surrounded by my people, I felt HOME!
What does 2025 hold for you?
I’ve gifted myself the freedom of no expectations this year. I’m saying yes to what feels right, and no to what doesn’t. I’m following my heart and trusting myself more than ever, knowing that what’s meant for me will find its way.
Interested in seeing more Faces of FAT? Click Here!
