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 1952) is a famous Iranian fashion designer. He creates stylish ready-to-wear clothing and fashion accessories. His company is based in New York City, with stores around the world.

Elie Tahari's Early Life Journey

Elie Tahari was born in Iran in 1952. His family later moved to Israel. He lived in different places, including a transit camp and boarding schools.

In 1971, Elie moved to the United States with very little money. He started working as an electrician in a clothing shop in New York City. While working there, he began to design his own clothes.

In 1973, he helped make the tube top very popular. This is a simple, strapless top. The next year, in 1974, he launched his own fashion brand called Tahari. He opened his first store on Madison Avenue in New York City.

Elie Tahari's Fashion Career

Designing for the Disco Era

In the 1970s, Elie Tahari was inspired by the disco culture. This was a time when people loved to dance to disco music. He designed special dance dresses and blouses. His first fashion show was in 1977 at a famous New York City nightclub called Studio 54.

Creating Office Styles

In the 1980s, more women started working in offices. Elie Tahari began to focus on designing tailored suits. These were professional clothes perfect for the workplace.

In 1989, he started selling his clothes in big luxury stores. One of the first was Bloomingdale’s. In 1994, he joined the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This is a group for top fashion designers.

Expanding the Brand

In 1997, Elie Tahari worked with Andrew Rosen to start a new clothing brand called Theory. In the 2000s, his own brand grew even more. He started making clothes for men, as well as jewelry, shoes, and home items.

In 2012, Elie Tahari was a guest judge on the TV show Project Runway All Stars. This show features designers competing to create new fashion. He also worked with Kohl's DesigNation in 2014. In 2015, he launched a new line called ET Sport.

Changes in Business

By 2019, Elie Tahari's brand had sold over $1 billion worth of products. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many department stores to close. This made Elie Tahari change how he sold his clothes. He decided to focus on selling directly to customers. This means through his own stores and online shop.

Awards and Special Honors

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

• In 2013, the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, declared September 4 as "Elie Tahari Day." This celebrated his forty years in the fashion world.
• In 2014, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This award recognizes immigrants who have made important contributions to America.
• Also in 2014, he won the Brand Vision Award from the Fashion Group International.
• 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 won many awards at different film festivals.