Elisa Yip is a published designer in the fashion industry. She’s also been blogging for five years under the name, E for Elisa. As of last year, she’s been creating and sharing her passion for sustainable living under the label Sskein — a luxury modern lifestyle collection. 

Hear about her journey in Episode 01 of the new Women to Watch Series —

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPG5j1Al9PT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

From the Episode

FAVE ELEVATED BASICS ::

Chanel quilted handbag named “Audrey” after Audrey Hepburn

WHERE SHE’S FROM ::

From Chinatown, NYC and moved to Seattle with her husband where he was from to start a family

HER CREW ::

Husband Peter and 8 year old daughter Kinsley

WHAT SHE DOES ::

Founder and designer of Sskein — a luxury knitwear label. Focuses on sustainability with her made-to-order model, using natural fibers from baby alpaca. Capsule collections with pieces you can wear for years and integrate into your existing wardrobe. She launched it in under six months during a pandemic and had her first collection out to customers by sweater season – fall/holiday. Runs everything herself – site, backend, advertising, design, supply chain management.

WENT TO SCHOOL FOR ::

Started off as a computer science major, then switched to studying fashion at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and Polìmoda in Florence Italy

ACTUALLY ENDED UP DOING ::

Fashion — specifically knitwear by accident due to first job at Liz Claiborne. Fell in love with the complexity, challenge and always evolving nature. Has been in the industry for 22 years!

SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT THAT LED HER ON THIS PATH ::

Mother was a self-taught seamstress and collected designer items since the 80s. Elisa was influenced — would make gowns, had an appreciation for design. Anna Sui and Vivienne Tam were Asian designers that set an example and gave her the confidence. Father also great influence as he was an entrepreneur and did so as an immigrant with little english.

HOW FEAR PLAYED INTO JOURNEY ::

After getting a corporate fashion designer role at Nordstrom, she lost sight of her initial dream to create her own brand. She started her blog Eforelisa and ran marathons to fuel her need to create and accomplish. Got bored as a creative person so needed that energy. So when she was let go due to COVID in 2020, she got the push she needed.

HOW IMPOSTER SYNDROME PLAYED A ROLE ::

Hell yes to having imposter syndrome. She had never started a company, which was overwhelming. But as she started chipping away little by little, she finally made progress and proved to herself she could do it. Her first sale with a retailer shocked her when she got her first check. Gave her confidence that she was doing the right thing.

FAILURES SHE’S LEARNED FROM ::

Thinks the word failure is a tricky word — she doesn’t see herself having failures, rather many mistakes she’s learned from. Like jumping on board with a platform to help sell her pieces for a monthly fee. Realized she could do it better on her end.

WHAT SHE’D DO DIFFERENTLY ::

Keep it scrappy for year one. Delegate instead of holding onto everything — which is hard to do as you get so excited and want everything to be perfect.

WHAT FUELS HER/ROUTINES ::

Plans top three things she needs to get done the night before. Sydney Cummings workouts and breakfast before she starts her day. She’s a night owl — quiet, no one’s hungry. She’s learned breaks are essential — can work and work without realizing it. Daughter Kinsley comes and gives her kisses every hour to remind her why she’s doing what she’s doing.

WHAT’S NEXT ::

New capsule collection “Bare Essentials ” starting in July! Slow releases, get excited (watch the video for a sneak peek of what’s dropping). Finer gauge, great for layering. New beanies, new colorways to existing capsule collection. Some exciting new textures across chunky and boucle for sweaters. Partnering with a local charity (to be announced soon). Also a pop-up space to showcase product before the holidays!

HER NORTH STAR ::

Get a space she can work out of — office/warehouse/ showroom. To be well known in the Pacific Northwest. And when she’s tired — have someone buy the company ;).

WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND HER ::

insta : @e_for_elisa
blog : eforelisa.com
brand on insta : @sskein.co
brand site : sskein.co (sign up for newsletter to VIP access to drops before anyone else)

ADVICE TO WOMEN WANTING TO PAVE THEIR OWN WAY IN LIFE AND FIND THEIR EDIT ::

Follow your intuition. Shut out outside noise, you don’t need any of it. Listen to what’s within.

If you want to start a business, you can’t just be passionate, you have to be obsessd. Because if you’re not obsessed, it’s not enough. Passion is a hobby. With an obsession, you eat, breathe, live it, love it.

Hardest things a woman can ever do — first, mother, hardest job in the world. Second, being an entrepreneur (it’s just like having a child). Third, being married ;).

If you’re a woman that wants to start a business but isn’t sure if you can, support other women. Whether it’s a mention, telling your friends about another woman-owned business… we are all hustling. We’ve got to keep each other up.

mic drop.

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Thank you SO much Elisa for being my first guest! All that you do is infectious and inspiring and ILYSM!!!

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Tune in Next Week

Women to Watch is a new IG Live series by Cortney Bigelow of The Grey Edit that shares the stories of women who are paving their own way in hopes to inspire others to do the same.

Tune in every Wednesday @ 7pm to hear more stories of women doing life on their own terms and follow the hashtag #WOMENTOWATCHxTGE