Kelly Jean Killoren was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. Kelly attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and graduated from Columbia University with a BA in English Literature. While attending both Trinity and Columbia, Kelly modeled for magazines such as Elle, Mademoiselle, Cosmopolitan, and Harper`s Bazaar. She was also the face for Clarins.

After graduating from Columbia, Kelly began writing for Hamptons magazine. There she created the column "In the Spirit of the Hamptons" and "Most Wanted". Her column initiated the "In the spirit of..." a series for influential French publisher Assouline. She then helped Niche Media create and launch Gotham magazine in 2001. She remains the editor for both Hamptons and Gotham magazines. She was then named Editor of Elle Accessories in 2005 when she created and launched the magazines first two issues. Author of In The Spirit of the Hamptons (2002)[2] and American Style (year 2004), Kelly also wrote The Bikini Book, (2006), which explores the history of the bikini, and commemorates the swimsuit`s 60th anniversary. The author`s portion of the proceeds of her book, American Style and The Bikini book, are donated to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

As a style expert, Kelly regularly appears on television and has been interviewed on numerous television shows such as The Today Show, CBS, Style, and Oprah. In the spring of 2007, Kelly launched a vintage inspired jewelry line, and is collaborating with IISLI designer Sisi Lee a line of sweaters for Fall 2007. Kelly has two daughters Sea Louise Bensimon (1998) and Thadeus Ann Bensimon (2000). She was married to French photographer, Gilles Bensimon.

In February 2009, Kelly will appear as the "new housewife" in Bravo`s second season of The Real Housewives of New York City.

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