Kelly Killoren Bensimon

Kelly Jean Killoren Bensimon is an author, model, jewelry designer, and former editor of Elle Accessories. In 2009, she appeared in the Bravo TV series The Real Housewives of New York City.

Personal Life

Kelly Jean Killoren was born in 1968, and raised in Rockford, Illinois. She began working as a model at the age of 15. Killoren was the third wife of French fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon, who was formerly International Creative Director of ELLE magazine; the couple have two daughters, born in 1999 and 2001. The couple divorced in January 2006. The former Mrs. Bensimon now resides in New York City and East Hampton.

Arrest

Killoren Bensimon was arrested on March 5, 2009 and charged with a misdemeanor assault after allegedly punching her boyfriend Nick Stefanov; the criminal complaint stated that Killoren Bensimon hit him "with a closed fist, thereby causing informant to suffer a laceration below informant's left eye and substantial pain". Stefanov failed to appear at court for a March 31, 2009 hearing; the case has been continued until 9 June 2009. If Stefanov does not appear at the June court date, the case will be dismissed. If convicted, Killoren Bensimon could serve one year in prison.

Education

Killoren Bensimon studied first at Trinity College, then transferred to the general studies program of Columbia University, where she graduated with a BA in English Literature. There is some debate whether or not this is a accurate information.

Career

Kelly began writing for Hamptons magazine, a free publication which has a circulation of approximately 40,000. While there, she was a contributor for two fashion columns “In the Spirit of the Hamptons” and “Most Wanted.” Her column initiated the "In the spirit of..." series for vanity press publisher Assouline although the publisher does not releases sales figures. She then helped Niche Media create and launch Gotham Magazine in 2001. She remains an editor at large for Hamptons and Gotham magazines. She was named Editor of Elle Accessories in 2005 when she created and launched the magazine with the Fall issue; her employment with Elle was terminated in 2006. She is the author of "In The Spirit of the Hamptons" (2002) and "American Style" (2004;) Kelly also wrote "The Bikini Book" (2006), a 400 page tome which explores the history of the bikini and the swimsuit’s 60th anniversary.

During Fall 2006 fashion shows held in New York, Kelly was the host of the IMG fashion week, where she interviewed designers, celebrities, and models. During the summer of 2006, Kelly hosted the IMG swim shows in Miami and opened the LYCRA show. In the Fall, Kelly was the spokesperson for WOOL and traveled across America with Conde Nast and Dillards to host menswear events. She was also the ambassador for spring 2007 Mercedes Benz Fashion week in New York City.

Kelly has been a “friend” of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art since 2004. A portion of the proceeds of her book, American Style and The Bikini book, were directed to the Costume Institute.

On March 7, 2009 Kelly joined the cast as the "new housewife" on Bravo's second season of The Real Housewives of New York City.