Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Keyona Elkins, and I started my Minneapolis-based online boutique, Ellekin, after struggling to find cute, fashion-forward clothes that met my personal sustainability criteria. At Ellekin, I curate affordable, sustainable women’s clothing in sizes XS-3X. The pieces are colorful, fun, bold, and all priced under $100. Everything is made with ethical labor practices and low-impact fabrics, giving you fun fashion that doesn’t come at the expense of people or planet.
What has been your favorite moment since creating your art/business?
Being selected to participate in Fashion Week Minnesota last spring was a highlight! I showed six looks from Ellekin on the runway, did a short interview about our sustainable practices, and hosted a pop-up shop that allowed attendees to shop the looks straight off the runway. It was amazing to meet so many like-minded sustainable fashion lovers!
What is the latest thing you have been working on?
I launched semi-custom embroidery this year! Using organic cotton T-shirts, I embroider various fun designs that customers can customize with their preferred colors, names, favorite slogans, etc. These pieces are also more sustainable because they’re made to order, which reduces unsold inventory and waste!
What will you be bringing to the Gift & Art Expo for attendees to purchase?
Ellekin has so many cute sustainable winter styles, perfect for gifting or just treating yourself! I’ll have all the best recycled polyester sweaters, organic cotton tees, recycled cotton sweat sets, and organic bamboo basics there to shop!
What valuable experience/knowledge did you have before starting your art/business?
I got my Bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University in Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design in 2017, and interned at a trend forecasting agency in college. I then worked for Target as a Technical Designer on womenswear brands for six years. During my time there, I interned for a local fashion magazine and earned a Certificate in Sustainable Product Design and Supply Chain from Utah State University and the Outdoor Industry Association. Running Ellekin now lets me have a hand in every part of the business, from creative directing photo shoots to selecting specific fabrics, which I love!
What sets you apart from others?
There are lots of cute, cheap clothes out there, but very few of them are sustainably and ethically made like Ellekin’s! The material a garment is made from accounts for most of its environmental impact, so I only offer fabrics that are low impact when it comes to factors like global warming potential, fossil fuel depletion, chemistry impact, and water usage. My brands and factories must also ensure safe working conditions and pay workers a fair or living wage. I also give preference to brands whose factories are third-party certified (WRAP, Fair Trade, Fair Wear) to be ethical.
What do your customers love most about your product(s)?
Ellekin customers love that they have a one-stop-shop for sustainable, ethical clothes that are also cute and trendy! They don’t have to do a ton of research, since all our items meet their sustainability criteria, and they don’t have to spend a fortune on a new outfit, since all our pieces are under $100.
www.shopellekin.com
Social Media: @ShopEllekin on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube
