Liz Hostetter – Founder, Creative Director

Liz still calls Cape Cod home, although she has spent the last 19 years living and working abroad while gaining inspiration from the world around her. After volunteering on a philanthropic mission in Fiji in 1995, her career path took her on a global journey from the US to Paris and London. She is now “settled” in Hong Kong with her husband and three children.

Unable to find pieces in the fit and styles she was looking for, Liz began working with a local tailor creating her own designs based on what she knew worked for her. Sourcing small quantities of fabrics and curating design ideas from her ongoing travels throughout Asia, she created patterns and designs that were made to her own exacting standards.

Returning home in the Summer of 2011 with a suitcase of her favorite items was the first step in realizing there was much more to the idea of custom-made clothing. Friends and family loved the vibrant colors and prints, the modern cuts and the versatility of the pieces. Every woman she told about her experience of “being your own designer” and having access to custom clothing was fascinated by the prospect. The idea for a made-to-order clothing line was clear and the inspiration for Ellie Kai was born.

Once the light bulb was lit, the planning started. Liz started pounding the pavement to find the best sources of fabrics and began to create a Collection of women’s clothing that would inspire customers to build upon her original designs, empowering them to define their own style through their preferences in colors, patterns, fit and hem length. From the beginning, she saw the design process as a true collaboration between Company and Client.

Liz also envisioned that through Ellie Kai she could support girl’s educational initiatives around the world. Following through on this initiative, the Company donates directly to designated organizations and matches employee’s personal contributions to charities that are focused on this cause.