And the next week you might be invited to Central Asia as a design consultant. Sometimes I feel abused and downtrodden, and other times I feel loved and appreciated. Ellis has become a popular speaker for Aid to Artisans, and has visited Uzbekistan and Romania to share her story of turning a small, home-based cottage industry into a major manufacturer. When I tell them Vermont, they're surprised. They don't see the connection.
Most people see Vermont as anything but a mecca for multi-cultural fashion.
But in fact Ellis spends much of her time following fashion trends and relating them to Samii. She reads magazines on textiles and interior design, and visits Montreal for inspiration. We do have an embellished, decorative look that is our trademark. Our customers expect us to keep providing fresh designs. Playing the role of successful artist and businesswoman, she wears it well.