Two La Cañada High School grads are making a name for themselves in the fashion world with a charming, whimsical addition to any young girl’s wardrobe.
Ella Fint, a designer sweatshirt “hoodie” is the brainchild of La Cañada’s own Devon Spencer-Smith and Lauren Underwood, both now living in Santa Monica.
The two young women grew up as best friends and attended La Cañada Elementary School and later La Cañada High School for middle and high school. They graduated in 2002.
Underwood and Spencer-Smith parted ways for college — Underwood to major in film at the University of Southern California and Spencer-Smith to study illustration at Parsons School of Design in New York — but stayed close friends and in 2006 reunited to create the unique hoodies, recently featured in Altered Couture magazine, a fashion statement depicting their signature elephants in creative array on the back of traditional, comfortable, hooded sweatshirts.
“We both have always had a love for being creative and crafty,” Spencer-Smith said, adding that Underwood approached her with the idea for their online company and, after some brainstorming, the two set out to pursue their dream.
The elephant — Ella Fint — became the company logo in part as a tribute to Underwood’s grandmother, Ella Green Underwood, who died from a Parkinson’s-related disease while the younger Underwood was in college.
“My grandmother was a great lady and really inspirational to me,” Underwood said, adding that she wishes her grandmother had lived to see the fruition of the clothing line, as she would have been “very proud and honored.”
The sweatshirts also honor both young women’s living maternal and fraternal grandmothers, as material and button embellishments for the majority of the products were obtained from the grandmothers’ closets, Spencer-Smith said.
“It’s mostly recycled fabric from our grandmothers’ aprons and other clothing and some from vintage thrift stores. The patchwork is individually hand embroidered, and handmade with care because we’re passionate about developing something that is playful, creative, unique and homey,” she said.
The business began with 84 original pieces. Only about 20 of those original shirts are still available, Underwood said.
Each hoodie is unique and reminiscent of some childhood story, film character, or other beloved memory, Spencer-Smith said.
Underwood and Spencer-Smith plan to continue to add to their inventory and eventually branch out with additional products — such as T-shirts and other clothing.
Currently hoodies are available for $60 each online at www.ellafint.com. The sweatshirts are available in small, medium, and large sizes and are geared to the teen to 20-something-year-old range; however, as the business expands, the duo hope to make a product that is enjoyed by all ages, Spencer-Smith said, adding, “We’re having a lot of fun with this, and hope [the business] continues to grow so more people can enjoy our creations.”
