Elissa Coleman

Australian born Elissa Coleman was born into good taste.

The eldest daughter of the founders of Empire, an Australian Company with ventures that include a home ware line, spa, vineyard and a cafe, as well as the award winning Empire Retreat in Margaret River, where Elissa spent her childhood. Elissa was from the beginning exposed to and involved in the creation of what has indeed become a style empire.

Elissa’s aesthetic has been shaped by her family’s passion for good design with a personal down-to-earth touch. Her business sense was also inspired by her family “With dynamic creative parents like mine there was always soemthing going on, and always something to do, it was only natural that I would follow in their footsteps and make something of my own”.

At 23 Elissa took what her parents started to a new level when she opened “Empires homewares” on Sydney’s Oxford St Paddington. This 2000 sq ft “lifestyle” concept store brought merchandising to a new level in Sydney. From theme-based windows that were constantly changing to an eclectic collection of goods, Empire Home Wares was the place to see and be seen.

Despite its success, however, Elissa felt the need to try out some new ideas. From this need Elissa Coleman the clothing line was born. At 31 she moved to Bali, Indonesia to start her new venture.

After working extensively in furnishings and textiles, she converted her bed linen factory to a clothing factory and began her fashion line. With its instant success, she knew she was on to something.

With hand painted silks using traditional Balinese techniques and her inherited love of clean simple lines, Elissa’s clothing is the perfect combination of elegant femininity and function.

“I want women to feel comfortable in my clothes but also feminine and sexy. I don’t consider my pieces to be trend based, I prefer instead to make timeless staples that will work forever”.

Her formula seems to be working. Elissa’s brand is now carried in some of the best shops around the globe. From New York to Paris, London, Dubai and Sydney, her unique pieces have a universal appeal with her designs being available in boutiques in 15 countries.