the timeline
Spring
2011
Founder, and then
expat, Liz now settled in Hong Kong with her husband and three children. She is unable to find clothing in the fit and styles she desired, so she began working with a local tailor to create her own designs based on what she knew worked for her.
Summer
2011
A VISIT STATESIDE
Returning home for a visit to Cape Cod, MA, family and friends comment on the vibrant colors, prints, and the modern cuts and versatility of Liz’s new pieces. The idea for a 'made-to-order' clothing line was clear and the inspiration for Ellie Kai was born.
Fall
2012
LIZ BEGINS
to scale the business with the support of her local tailor, Kathleen, and her family, sometimes packing orders in their apartment.
spring
2013
OUTGROWING
the space she and Kathleen are working in, close to the local market, Liz sets up shop in her tight-knit community. This will ultimately transition into Ellie Kai’s global manufacturing headquarters.
Spring
2013
LIZ’S BASEMENT OFFICE
and creative homebase, affectionately called “The Dugout”, quickly became the first showroom with customers stopping by to try on pieces from the collection.
Spring
2013
ELLIEKAI.COM
is launched, and two full seasonal collections are debuted.
Summer
2016
BACK STATESIDE
Liz (and family!) move back Stateside to oversee the Domestic operation, while the original Hong Kong team remains a trusted partner, holding down the fort on the other side of the world.