ELIE TAHARI: Chairman

"Everything magical happens to me when I am in love." With the transcendent vision of an artist, Elie Tahari is a man seduced by the truth and beauty of life. So it is no surprise that the most elegant fashions have evolved from the house of this passionate designer, who believes clothing should enhance the woman, so that her true beauty can shine through.

"Communicating through design is extremely difficult." He believes, "Great architects create spaces that are very much in tune with the wind, the sun, the light, the air and the seasons. Clothing should be no different." From his passion for architecture, Elie Tahari finds inspiration in clean, straight lines and suggestion. With these basic principles as his foundation, he has built an empire.

Elie Tahari’s unique talent for dressing the sexy, sophisticated woman has evolved into a $500 million enterprise, with a presence in 40 countries, in more than 600 US stores and in 15 free-standing boutiques. Quite a magical story for a man who grew up in an orphanage and immigrated to the US in the 1970s with empty pockets and a heart full of spirit.

After his arrival in New York, Elie Tahari was desperate for work. "I went from showroom to showroom in the Garment District looking for employment," he recalls. "Things started turning around for me when I learned about retail." His position selling clothing from a boutique in Greenwich Village was an introduction to his first love– designing women’s fashion. Elie Tahari’s determination to learn and his auspicious attraction to the electric energy of New York’s famed club scene, inspired the designs that propelled him into the ‘who’s who’ of fashion.

Elie Tahari survived the ‘70s and stayed focused on fashion. Captivated by the female spirit, he began seducing woman with his beautiful clothing. His designs were so well received; he was one of the first fashion designers who opened a boutique on Madison Avenue in 1974.

Parlaying his keen ability to predict what a woman wants from fashion before she even knows it, he turned his attentions in the 80’s to the tailored suit– a design effort that redefined a decade. Today, Elie Tahari continues to empower women with designs inspired by his belief that smart women can look sexy.

Even with these accomplishments, Elie Tahari felt something was missing. Just after he blew out the candles on his 46th birthday, wishing for love, magic walked right through his front door. That was the night he met his wife. In his own words, "Rory is my greatest love, and therefore, my greatest inspiration." In a truly collaborative effort, this unique husband-wife team has tripled the size of the company in the last five years, injecting the brand with new meaning and vigor with the launch of the Elie Tahari Collection.

Women have been drawn to Elie Tahari designs for over three decades, and this devoted following continues to revel in the feminine embellishments, sensual fabrics, and subtle textures that have come to define the Elie Tahari collection.

From such humble beginnings, he became the namesake of a vastly successful business. Elie Tahari transformed his life with passion. It’s no wonder that to wear Elie Tahari is to feel transformed, as if by magic and love.