10 Reasons We’re Madly in Love with ‘Ella Grace’…And #youwillbetoo!

Already off to a flying start with her next level branding and marketing skills, Ella is busy launching of her own design company (Ella Grace Couture) by diving deep into a slew of projects that take months of planning, research and dedication – there are so many steps it takes to get something made, she acknowledges! As a newcomer to the fashion industry, she didn’t find this surprising, though. “I knew it was going to be hard work…starting a career like this takes time,” she says. BTW, she’s a recent grad of the F.I.T in New York City where she majored in fashion design and specialized in intimate apparel. 

Ella Grace illustrations are characteristically filled with froufrou femininity, frivolity and colors as delightful and delicious as cotton candy – which frankly are some of our favorite things! Ella says that her fashion journey definitely started with illustration, ” I wanted to create these soft and dreamy illustrations and kept trying different techniques until I got it just right. Art was always a part of my life. I’ve always loved drawing and have been called the self-taught artist of the family. I took my drawing skills and applied them to fashion, and now I’m a fashion illustrator!”

Raised in a small town in New Jersey, she is now a true New Yorker. “The city feels so alive. Everything’s accessible and walkable all the time. If I need fabric, I can simply walk a few blocks and everything I can dream of is available to me immediately.” Well, a true New York with one exception:  “I am 100% a tea drinker, no matter how hard I try, I can’t get myself to like coffee!” Not surprisingly, given Ella’s passion for 18th century style, her favorite restaurant is Ladurée in Soho which features velvet banquettes, marble floors, and a sky-painted ceiling. “It’s Rococo/Marie Antoinette themed and feels like it was made for me!” Ooh la la! We’re making a reservation now!

Ella loves working late in her NYC atelier, faithfully accompanied by her fluffy design assistant, Willow – a magnificent 4-year-old Siberian Forest cat. “She’s funny and adorable- absolutely my most prized possession,” says Ella, who is usually knee deep in a tangle of threads, feathers and Swarovski crystals – all things tempting to a kitty – creating or completing projects such as the collection she just previewed on the runway at the Miami Swim show. “Creating makes me happy. I love the feeling of accomplishment when I’m done, and I also have a new piece to celebrate!”

As an artist and designer, she takes full advantage of technology resources available nowadays. “I have found Instagram to be the most successful place to showcase my work. This platform allows me to show off my designs, as well as show some behind-the-scenes of my work, and a look into my personal life,” A lover of vintage and glamour, she’s also the perfect model for the niche fashion inspo videos she makes for her Instagram account. Check out @ellagrace_official – you’ll see her quick-change outfits from sparkle to shimmer and shine – with a snap of her fingers!

Ella says. ” I wanted to create these soft and dreamy illustrations and kept trying different techniques until I got it just right. My work is all digital. I start off with a sketch on my iPad Pro, color it in, and then blur the lines of the sketch to get that fuzzy kind of ethereal look. I work with Procreate on the iPad Pro and then sometimes edit my work using Photoshop. I try to include as much Rococo in my work as possible, it’s like a fantasy. I get to travel to a dreamy, pastel colored world when I draw. ” Ella is an admirer of other like-minded illustrators on Instagram such as @melsysillustrations and @manonboudoir.

The Rococo Era is my favorite era in history. I love all the beautiful pastel colors and am heavily inspired by them. Marie Antoinette is one of my muses. I’m obsessed with the way she lived. If she was alive today, she would be a fashion influencer! During her reign she created her own personal style and influenced all of fashion in doing so. When drawing, I try to include as much Rococo in my work as possible, it’s like a fantasy. I get to travel to a dreamy, pastel colored world when I draw.” Love her Marie Antoinette inspired illustrations? Copies are for sale on her Ella Grace Couture website.

Her Insta is full of fun reels with Ella modeling her wardrobe. Of course, we had to know where she shops. “I love anything historically inspired. You can find items in my closet ranging from corsets to 1970’s themed fringed shawls. I love getting my clothes from local flea markets and street fairs. It’s so much fun! You never know what you’re going to find.”

“When I was very young, maybe about the 3rd grade, when I went to a fashion-themed summer camp. It was held inside a Lord & Taylor café. We were introduced to draping by pinning fabrics on American Girl Dolls. They showed us what croquis were and how to use them in our fashion drawings. They also let us go into the store and create outfits from the products out on the floor! We were able to go around the store, create a look, and then show it off in a fashion show at the end of the camp!” Soooo jealous. We think this might be our most fave summer camp experience.

Needless to say, this bundle of creative energy has several other projects coming up on the horizon which she sneak-previewed on the runway at the Miami Swim Show last month. “I am starting my own lingerie line S/S 2023.” It’s in the works right now. My brand is Called “Ella Grace Couture LLC.” I am currently at the sample stage of developing products and I’m almost ready to go into production.” Given her philosophy that no one wants a copy of other designers’ work, we are looking forward to seeing something new and exciting from Ella in the near future!