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.