Every great business starts with a problem that someone refuses to ignore.
For Elli, that problem was simple: grooming apparel didn't reflect the people wearing it.
As a professional groomer, Elli spent countless hours behind the grooming table. Like so many others in the industry, she wanted clothing that could keep up with the demands of the job, but she also wanted to feel confident wearing it. What she found instead was a choice between two extremes.
Filling the Gap
"When I looked around," Elli recalls, "there were people who competed wearing beautiful dresses and heels. I absolutely loved watching it, it was stunning - but that just wasn't me."
On the other end of the spectrum were traditional grooming smocks: practical, but often oversized, plain, and uninspiring.
"I wanted to fill that void in the middle," she explains. "Somewhere between competition wear and what felt like wearing a black trash bag every day."
It wasn't just about looking good. It was about creating workwear that made groomers feel comfortable, confident, and proud while doing one of the toughest jobs in the pet industry.
Discovering Retro Stylist Wear
As Elli searched for something different, she came across a small company called Retro Stylist Wear.
At the time, the brand was still in its early stages, but its vision immediately stood out.
"I loved what they were doing," Elli says. "I reached out because I wanted to help grow it."
What began as a partnership quickly became something much bigger.
Working alongside the original founder gave Elli the opportunity to help shape the future of the brand, develop new ideas, and better understand what professional groomers were looking for in their apparel.
Taking the Next Step
Eventually, the original owner decided to pursue a new chapter and focus on running her bakery.
That's when Elli took the reins.
"I wanted to keep growing it, have fun, and create new things."
She assumed full ownership of Retro Stylist Wear with one goal in mind: continue building a brand that puts groomers first.
That mission still drives every decision today.
Designed by Someone Who Understands the Job
One of the biggest differences about Retro Stylist Wear is that its products aren't designed by someone guessing what groomers need.
They're designed by someone who's lived it.
Every zipper, pocket, fabric choice, and silhouette are inspired by real salon experience. Groomers spend long days standing, lifting, bathing, drying, clipping, and cleaning. Their clothing must move with them, not against them.
That's why Retro Stylist Wear focuses on apparel that's lightweight, functional, flattering, and built for everyday performance. Hair-resistant fabrics, practical pockets, breathable materials, and comfortable fits all come together to make clothing that works just as hard as the professionals wearing it.
More Than Clothing
For Elli, Retro Stylist Wear has never been just about selling smocks.
It's about helping groomers feel like professionals.
The grooming industry has evolved tremendously over the years, and today's groomers deserve apparel that reflects their skill, creativity, and dedication. Whether you're working your first day in a salon or stepping onto a grooming competition stage, what you wear should help you feel confident, not like you're settling for whatever is available.
That philosophy has grown Retro Stylist Wear into more than an apparel brand. It's become a community of professionals who take pride in what they do and appreciate products designed specifically with their needs in mind.
Looking Ahead
Retro Stylist Wear continues to grow, but its purpose hasn't changed.
Every new product begins with the same question Elli asked years ago:
How can we make life better for groomers?
Whether it's introducing innovative fabrics, expanding sizing, launching new styles, or listening to customer feedback, the goal remains the same: to create apparel that professionals genuinely enjoy wearing.
Because sometimes the best businesses aren't born from a grand business plan.
Sometimes they begin with one groomer who simply believed there had to be a better option.
And thanks to Elli, there is.