Multi-disciplined designer, Anita Kealey is recognized for her innovative use of natural textiles in fashion and interior design. She is a master tailor and couture designer of multiple apparel lines. Her sustainable collections have been shown on many runways, as well as Green Fashion Week. These wearable art forms and accessories are constructed of repurposed materials; including woven obsolete media tape, buttons cut from deer antlers and fiber works of prairie grown sheep and alpaca are among the created textiles.


She first learned to crochet in Girl Scouts. As a teenager, she learned the importance of handiwork while working in her mother’s workroom. As a young student, she developed her tailoring skills while competing in the National Make it Yourself with Wool contest sponsored by wool producers and woolen mills. After winning trips to compete with awards of fine wool, sewing equipment as well as the top prize; a Bernina Sewing machine which she still uses 40+ years later. She studied Fashion Design at Parson’s School of Design and continues fine tuning her education in textile design and master tailoring in New York.


Ms. Kealey is the retired director of design studies at the Institute of Design & Technology. Her vision of creative mentorship & apprenticeship programs was awarded with a Governor’s Giant Vision Award from the South Dakota Department of Economic Development in 2010. And a finalist in 2015 Governor’s Giant Vision Award with the development Dakota by Design apparel.


She is also founder of The Design Studio, Inc., an award winning and innovative design firm in contract design and product branding. She has received recognition over the past forty years for her achievements in creative design solutions. Her work has been highlighted in the media including House Beautiful magazine, HG-TV and as featured guest on Martha Stewart Show. In 2023 Ms. Kealey’s fiber weaving collections were honored at the Artist of Plains Show Center of Western Studies, Artist of Plains Show in Sioux Falls.