It all started with a lost scarf...

Elizabeth Gillett, trained as an artist, painter and printmaker at Hartwick College, was unable to find a replacement for a favorite lost scarf so she designed her own. Within months the same velvet scarf style was being sold at Barneys New York, and soon after she was running a full-fledged accessories business out of her fourth floor walk-up Manhattan studio.

Seventeen years later Elizabeth Gillett is designing, manufacturing and distributing a full line of gracefully contemporary scarves, wraps, shrugs and cover-ups meant to make her wearers feel pretty, chic and happy. The unique, cohesive collections are comprised of items bridge customers can't find anywhere else. Every season the collection features different techniques and fabrications that make items versatile and long-wearing.

Juxtapositions of felted silk chiffon, laser-cut suede, hand-crochetd pima cotton and custom needlelace designs are characteristic of Elizabeth Gillett accessories. Scarves and wraps have become the hallmarks of her collections. Created from chiffons, velvets and Chantilly laces, these timeless pieces are completed with airy ruffles and delicate detailing. Ideas are developed through in-house experimentation with handcrafted techniques such as crochet, macrame, tatting, beadwork and smocking.

Her innovative design sensiblilty has been recognized outside the fashion industry. In 2001 her color-blocked velvet scarf was featured in the Museum of Modern Art Catalogue. In 2002 Elizabeth received a United States paten for a specially-designed scarf featuring an operational floral closure. Four of her pattern packages for evening wraps and shrugs have been licensed by Vogue Patterns.

Elizabeth Gillett lives in Tribeca with Tom Klinkowstein, a professor and designer, and their daughter Gemma.