My love for fashion began in my teenage years, during a time when finding clothing that truly expressed my individuality felt nearly impossible. With my mother and father always reminding me of my beauty and encouraging my determined spirit, they would say, “If you can’t find it, make it.” Inspired by their words, I tied-dyed, played dress-up, and found creative ways to express myself through those challenging growing years.

At 17, I made a life-changing move from Rochester, NY to Los Angeles, CA, determined to pursue my dream of designing clothing for full-figured women.

I enrolled at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, where I learned how to draft my own patterns, design, and sew garments. This hands-on education confirmed that my dreams were achievable. After graduating, I gained valuable experience working in production for several small Los Angeles fashion brands, learning how every piece of clothing comes together from concept to creation.

As blogging and fashion began to merge, I had the opportunity to attend Fashion Week and Full Figured Fashion Week in New York City. At Full Figured Fashion Week, I met young women who looked like me and shared my passion for fashion. Many of us turned to thrifting and DIY to create unique styles because plus-size clothing options were primarily geared toward women in their 40s to 60s. That experience sparked the desire to create my own brand.

During this time, many well-known clothing companies sought my opinions about the plus-size market and what was missing. Despite sharing my insights for years, I saw little change. It was then, with encouragement from my friends and family, that I realized I needed to stop waiting and start my own company. If you can’t find it, make it.

Zelie For She was born from one design—the Firecracker Set, a high-waisted pencil skirt paired with a matching bandeau. At that time, styles like this weren’t available for full-figured women. Once the set launched online, I couldn’t stop selling it.

Over the years, I designed collections that told stories of love, friendship, freedom, beauty, and self-expression. I envisioned plus-size women moving effortlessly in flowing dresses, bathed in sunlight and desert winds, embodying the spirit of goddesses. These collections became more than clothing—they were celebrations of strength, grace, and the beauty within every woman.

They expressed true individuality, woven with friendship, travels, and memories that shaped the heart of the brand. Zelie For She became more than a lifestyle; it became a celebration of who we are and who we strive to be.

With this company, I was able to create and design in Los Angeles, California with women-owned companies, never seeking to outsource or move production out of the country. I loved working on-site with women who loved this craft, and together we experienced laughter, tears, frustrations — every emotion imaginable. But in the end, the vision always became a reality.

Within these 13+ years of running Zelie For She, I’ve had the joy of meeting so many beautiful souls — from the models who brought my visions to life, to the incredible people who worked right beside me, the influencers, the friends I first met at New York Fashion Week all those years ago, and most of all, my customers — my beloved “Lovers.”

This company is not only my baby, but my family.

Over the years in Zelie For She, I made many achievements. Having collection after collection and being showcased in Nordstrom on a large scale for the world to see was definitely a goal of mine — and that goal was achieved.

It was a proud moment for my mother and father—the greatest inspirations behind my company. My name, Zelie, along with my style and individuality, all come from them. They were two very unique people: beautiful, original, and full of their own distinctive style. But most of all, it was their unconditional love for me and my dreams, believing in me every step of the way, that made all the difference.

Over the last three years, it hasn’t always been easy. Being a woman in business and a Black woman navigating the world of capital has brought its share of challenges. But I’m tough—just like my parents—and with all three of us being Virgos, we don’t give up. We keep going. Even when it’s hard to restock inventory, create new collections, or keep everything moving forward, I keep pushing. And in the midst of these challenges, my father suddenly passed away.

My father’s passing was a profound moment in my life. He was the most stylish man I knew—always pairing pieces in unique and fresh ways. After he passed, I found myself, two years later, relaunching old collections because I couldn’t find my creativity. I felt blocked. I knew I didn’t want to keep doing the same thing—I needed a change. But I was still searching, wondering: What is that change? What do I do next?

Over the past six months, my mother—whom I love so dearly—has been a tremendous source of support. She kept encouraging me, saying, “You can figure this out. You’ve got it. You have ideas. Keep going. You’re creative.” Slowly, ideas began to flow again. I started developing new concepts—not just for my work, but for my life. I realized I didn’t want to be a “girl boss” anymore; I wanted to live differently. For all of my 20s and half of my 30s, I was focused on working hard, climbing my own ladder. But in recent months, I’ve begun a journey of rediscovery.

Then, just a few weeks ago, my dear friend Kelly encouraged me to send her some dresses to shoot.
And within those few weeks, my mother suddenly peacefully transitioned into the stars to join my father. This moment was another life-changing experience. My mother—the one who guided me here to the city of angels 20 years ago to follow a dream—has now left this beautiful earth. She was my support, my cheerleader, my best friend, my style icon, my mother.

Two days after my mother’s passing, I received those photos—and they stirred a deep feeling of home and hope within me. In that moment, I felt my mother’s voice urging me to keep going, and my father’s gentle reminder to hold my chin up. And so, with love and strength, I say: to be continued.

Now, life is at a crossroads. But more than ever, I now have the map. The map holds the seeds. I have the answers. These answers aren’t always easy—they can be rewarding, sad, confusing, exciting—but most of all, they are the seeds for the beginning of something so truly beautiful, and that’s called the next chapter.

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Epilogue coming this September — a new chapter is on the horizon.

With love and gratitude

Elann Zelie