Elie Tahari facts for kids

Elie Tahari's boutique in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City

Elie Tahari's boutique at The Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas, Nevada

Elie Tahari (born in 1952) is a famous Iranian fashion designer. He creates stylish ready-to-wear clothes and fashion accessories. His main office is in New York City, and his stores are all over the world.

Early Life and Beginnings

Elie Tahari was born in 1952 in Iran. His family moved to Israel when he was young. They lived in a temporary camp called a ma'abara for a while. Later, his parents divorced, and Elie went to different boarding schools in Israel.

In 1971, Elie Tahari moved to the United States with very little money. He started working as an electrician at a clothing store in New York City. While working there, he began to design his own clothes. In 1973, he became well-known for making the tube top popular. This is a simple, strapless top.

Starting His Own Fashion Brand

Because of his success, Elie Tahari launched his own fashion brand, called Tahari, in 1974. He opened his first store on Madison Avenue in New York City. This was the start of his amazing career in fashion.

Elie Tahari's Fashion Journey

Elie Tahari found inspiration in the 1970s disco music and dance scene. He designed fun dance dresses and blouses. His very first fashion show was in 1977 at the famous New York City nightclub, Studio 54.

Designing for the Modern Woman

In the 1980s, more women started working in offices and business roles. Elie Tahari noticed this change. He began to focus on designing smart, tailored suits. These designs were perfect for women in the workplace.

By 1989, his clothes were so popular that luxury department stores like Bloomingdale’s started selling them. In 1994, he joined the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This is a special group for top fashion designers. In 1997, he also helped start another popular clothing brand called Theory.

Expanding the Brand and New Ventures

In the 2000s, Elie Tahari's brand grew even bigger. He started making clothes for men, as well as accessories, jewelry, shoes, and even home items. In 2012, he was a guest judge on the TV show Project Runway All Stars. This show helps new designers. He also worked with Kohl's DesigNation in 2014 and launched a sports clothing line called ET Sport in 2015.

By 2019, his brand had made over $1 billion in sales! However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many department stores to close. This changed how Elie Tahari sold his clothes. He decided to sell directly to customers through his own stores and online. This way, people could still buy his designs easily.

Awards and Special Recognition

Elie Tahari has received many honors for his work in fashion.

Celebrating His Contributions

On September 4, 2013, the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, declared it "Elie Tahari Day." This was to celebrate his forty years in the fashion world. For this event, Elie Tahari released a special collection called Edition 1974. It featured updated versions of his classic designs.

In 2014, Elie Tahari received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This award celebrates immigrants and their children who have made important contributions to America. He also won the Brand Vision Award from the Fashion Group International in 2014.

In 2021, a documentary film was made about Elie Tahari's life. It is called "The United States of fashion designer Elie Tahari." The film has been shown at over 100 film festivals and has won many awards. These include Best Documentary and Best Director.