1970s

At the start of the decade, Elie Tahari emigrated from Israel to the United States and began working in New York City’s garment center while moonlighting at a boutique in Greenwich Village. After he succeeded in popularizing the tube top, Tahari began designing his eponymous label Tahari in 1973.

In the following years, Elie Tahari opened his first boutique on Madison Avenue, posted the company’s first billboard in New York City, and held his first fashion show at Studio 54.

1980s

Tahari expanded in the eighties, turning his attention to the tailored suit that helped define a decade. His first advertisements appeared in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

In 1989 his first shop in Bloomingdale’s NYC opened followed by Saks Fifth Avenue and Tahari was named one of Crain’s most successful 40 under 40.

1990s

Elie Tahari began the decade with his first cover of Women’s Wear Daily featuring a Tahari wool suit highlighted as the trend of the season and is admitted to the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The brand moves into new headquarters in the Grace building on West 42nd street and is now carried by all major department stores. Tahari initiated a major expansion campaign including licensing and international sales and produced the brand’s first image book photographed by Sante D’Orazzio that was sent to over 200,000 customers.

Television Networks also started to take notice of the brand with pieces from the collection being showcased on Ally McBeal, The X files and Will & Grace. Tahari was the featured designer in the annual Macy’s Passport fashion show in Los Angeles which helps to raise over 2 million dollars for AIDS research and was invited to the White House to meet with President Clinton. In 1997 Tahari became the founding partner and creative director of Theory in addition to designing his own label.

2000s

In 2002 the company name was changed from Tahari to Elie Tahari and the designer purchased 510 Fifth Avenue which became the brands design center. Tahari opened freestanding boutiques in Soho, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Boston, East Hampton’s Main Street, and Boca Raton, Florida.

In 2006, he launched women's accessories and menswear and was profiled by Time Magazine “Elie Tahari on a Tear”. Photographer Terry Richardson began shooting the brands ad campaigns and the collection was shown on the runway for the first time at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

2010-PRESENT

The company continued its global expansion in Europe, Asia and the Middle East and opened freestanding boutiques in Istanbul, Turkey, and Dubai, as well as US boutiques in Newport Beach, California, Washington, D.C., Dallas and a pop-up store at 510 5th Avenue, named The Vault as well as the E-commerce site elietahari.com. To mark the brand’s 40th anniversary, Tahari created a capsule collection “Elie Tahari 1974” which featured updated silhouettes from the brands four decades in fashion.

Mayor Bloomberg proclaimed September 4th, 2013 “Elie Tahari Day” honoring his 40 years in business. Fashion Group International honored the designer with a Brand Vision award and Tahari served as a guest judge on Project Runway All-Stars for three seasons. In 2014 the designer launched eyewear, home and the Elie Tahari Sport collection and partnered with photographer Steven Klein to shoot the brands ad campaigns.