By: Mary Chris de Leon
The idea for Ellie Arbee began quietly. That day, I had stepped onto the course in my work clothes. They weren’t designed for sport, yet they kept me warm and got me through the round. One cold round of golf left me questioning why women’s clothing seemed to work in one setting but not another. That moment sparked a realization: if clothes could adapt without trying, imagine what would be possible if they were designed with intention.
That realization became the foundation of Ellie Arbee. I launched the brand in 2022 with a clear vision: to create timeless silhouettes built on quality, versatility, and simplicity. My goal has always been to design apparel that moves with women through all the places life takes them, without compromise.
Where Purpose Becomes Poise
When I founded Ellie Arbee in Denver in 2022, I was focused on solving a tension I felt daily: the disconnect between clothes that performed and clothes that felt polished and comfortable. As an active woman and designer, I was constantly choosing between comfort and confidence.
My answer was clothing that felt elevated, incorporating tailoring techniques onto knit fabrics, but built to move with you. Pieces that carry quiet sophistication and keep up with your pace, whether it’s an early tee time, a work meeting, or dinner with friends. We don’t live in one mode all day, and our clothes shouldn’t either.
That belief has guided every design. Clean lines, timeless details, and thoughtful fabrics make the clothes versatile, while subtle structure keeps them polished. The result is simple: clothing that feels refined but never restrictive, confident and comfortable at the same time.
This approach has always felt natural to me. With a background in fabrication, carpentry, and industrial design, fields that demand perseverance and curiosity, I’ve learned to navigate complex projects with focus and grit. Along the way, I developed a deep respect for precision and quality, lessons that now guide my design philosophy. Today, my work is shaped by a commitment to durability, functionality, and integrity.
Beyond Seasons: Clothing That Lasts
Fashion often follows a rigid seasonal calendar—but that rhythm has never reflected how women actually live. For small businesses, it also imposes arbitrary deadlines that don’t serve creativity or purpose. At Ellie Arbee, I chose a different path. I release pieces when the timing feels right, not when a calendar dictates.
Core styles like the Essential Dress and Essential Vest are designed as part of an evolving capsule wardrobe—foundational pieces for a woman’s modern life. These aren’t fleeting seasonal statements; they are refined essentials that layer seamlessly, travel effortlessly, and endure beyond trends.
Sustainability is also woven into the process. Over half of our textiles are sustainably sourced, and every piece is made in the United States, supporting local makers and craftsmanship. I’m also exploring upcycling—reimagining existing garments into new, functional designs.
For me, true luxury has never been about excess. It’s about integrity, longevity, and creating pieces that stand the test of time.
Designed for the Woman Who Is Many Things
The vision for Ellie Arbee began with a simple truth: women are never just one thing. Each day brings new roles and responsibilities, often layered one upon the other. This brand was created to design for that fullness of life, with clothing that carries her seamlessly through it all.
That’s why I create pieces that move across every role and responsibility—no constant outfit changes. No trade-offs. Just timeless designs that adapt gracefully, wherever the day leads.
Building the brand independently has allowed me to stay true to this vision. Ellie Arbee is entirely bootstrapped—no outside investors, no pressure to grow at someone else’s pace. That independence gives me the freedom to make every decision with integrity, from choosing fabrics to refining the final details.
And while still a small brand, Ellie Arbee has already found its place. You’ll find our pieces at reputable golf clubs from Colorado to Chicago, as well as at events in Phoenix, Park City, and throughout the Rockies. Each new connection affirms that this philosophy resonates: understated strength, thoughtful style, and clothing that works as hard as the women who wear it.
For me, proper design is about creating clothing that simply works—beautifully, everywhere life takes you. From that cold morning round to the studio above my barn in Denver, Ellie Arbee has grown into more than apparel. It has become a reflection of how women really live.
With quality, versatility, and simplicity at its heart, the brand creates silhouettes that move effortlessly with her—through work and leisure, milestones and moments, season after season.
