Elie Tahari – the master crafter

By Diane Feen
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

Elie Tahari could very well be described as the Zen master of cloth.

He works methodically with color, form and construct and understands that beauty is more ethereal and architectural than fancy and frivolous.

That’s why he has been able to take what has been given to him – nothing – and make it into something spectacularly sensational.

If the name Elie Tahari sounds vaguely familiar, it is because his name has been associated with elegant wearable couture-inspired clothing. His apparel – which often seems more a work of art than mere cloth – is hanging in over 600 stores worldwide.

As with most creative geniuses, Tahari wanted to showcase his wares in a singular setting so he began opening freestanding retail stores. The sixth one, opening this week in Town Center mall, promises to link the Tahari sense of style with that of women and men who feel empowered by the sensual designs and superior fabric of the Tahari brand.

Brighter Future

But life wasn’t always first rate for this Israeli-born fellow. He lived in an orphanage - and on the streets - in Israel, and eventually made his way to New York City. When he arrived in New York, Tahari had many dreams, but none of the comforts that one associates with the glittery persona of Manhattan.

So he did what most people would do in his position – he looked for work. But it wasn’t so easy. After being turned down for showroom jobs in the garment center (where he holds court today with over 750 employees), he eventually found work as an electrician. At night he worked in a retail store selling women’s clothing in a boutique in Greenwich Village.

It was his foray into the women’s retail business that set the stage for Tahari’s love of clothing and its stunning effect on the wearer.
In 1974 he made tube tops (it was all he knew how to make, he said) and from there he progressed into creating comfortable, yet sexy clothing for women.

“When I started out I couldn’t afford to make a collection, but I could afford to make one piece at a time. I realized it had to be an item that people wanted and it had to be perfect - the fit, the quality, the need, the demand and the price had to be right,” said the 55-year-old self-made clothier.

Retail Bullseye

You could say that Tahari has 20-20 vision. His clothing has been flying off the racks in stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales and points beyond for the past 30 years, and his name is synomous with expert tailoring and a sensuality that defies description.

That’s why he had the inkling to pull out his star within the usual retail orbit. “Opening more free-standing boutiques, while maintaining our strong relationship with wholesale accounts, can only enhance our brand presence and help introduce our brand to new customers. This elevated awareness helps business at the retail and wholesale levels,” said Tahari.

If you want to know his secret for creating clothing that is often described as beautiful, luxurious, sexy and artful, he will tell you. “I put every item on the line as if it’s the only item I am making. I believe clothing should be ‘quieter than the woman,’ so that her true beauty can shine through.”

And it seems to be working. Just this year Angelina Jolie picked up one of his outfits to wear to the Cannes Film Festival (she paid retail) and women across the continent continue to scoop up his fashion creations to the tune of $500 million.

And he’s not stopping on the retail front either. “We have plans for 24 more freestanding US Elie Tahari boutiques in the next 5 years,” said the yoga enthusiast and father of six-year-old Jeremy and three-year-old Zoe.

Tahari salutes Boca Raton and pays homage to his customer, who he is sure will love his fashion sense and sensibility. “I design clothes for women who want to feel sexy, sophisticated and confident. If you are one of these women - and you live near
Boca - you will find something you like in our new store.”

Elie Tahari is scheduled to make a personal appearance on March 6th in partnership with the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Tahari will host an in-store cocktail event celebrating the store opening for museum members and the Boca community.

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