About

As an Actor, Designer, DJ, and Curator, Kelly Cole is a lifelong veteran of the Entertainment, Fashion, and Art worlds. A seminal figure on New York’s late 80s/90s art and club scene, Cole was integral in creating many of Manhattan’s most memorable nightspots and events, most notably as co-creator/ operator of the now-legendary SPY lounge, and rock and roll bistro BLACK AND WHITE. A notorious personality in downtown NYC, he appeared regularly on TV, Stage, Film, and in Music Videos including the Junior M.A.F.I.A series.

As a DJ, Cole has played extensively at premier events in the U.S. and abroad, and has held residences at top clubs including Highlight Room, Bungalow, Trousdale, Spider Club, Hyde, and Teddy’s in LA, as well as many clubs in New York. His clientele has included The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Tina Fey, Heidi Klum, Charlize Theron and corporate clients including Hermes, Apple, Gucci, GM, and Cartier. He has crafted the musical landscape for over 150 wedding clients including Johnny Depp, Kate Beckinsale, and Avril Lavigne.

The Kelly Cole brand has long boasted a loyal following of entertainment personalities including Bradley Cooper, Chelsea Handler, Christina Aguilera, Rooney Mara, Kid Cudi, and Charlie Hunnam, among others. The flagship KELLY COLE retail store was located at 175 S. La Brea in Los Angeles and featured the Kelly Cole line of denim, t-shirts and accessories, as well as a select inventory of hand-picked vintage items and curiosities. Cole’s brand collaborations have included a t-shirt collection for TOMMY HILFIGER and a capsule collection of apparel and accessories for GUNS N ROSES.

Cole’s early 2000’s improvisational retail space/gallery LO-FI was a favorite among the young Hollywood elite including Ben Harper, Johnny Knoxville, Aaron Paul, and Winona Ryder. LO-FI was a pioneering force in vintage t-shirts, the first to curate vintage tees as the focus of a store and brand. The The Lo-Fi lifestyle brand was carried by premier retailers globally from 2002 to 2010. The Lo-Fi gallery hosted full scale exhibitions of the work of Mick Rock, Michael Muller, and Jeff Vespa.

In 2017, Cole collaborated with M+B to create the pop-up M+B Photo space on Cahuenga in Hollywood, presenting exhibitions by Hugh Holland, Norm Clasen, Mel Frank, Bob Mizer, and Mike Miller.

In addition to his own businesses, Cole’s unique creative perspective has contributed to the interiors and concepts of many businesses and private residences.