Elon Kebede is a fashion designer and executive, but she’s always aimed at something greater: acquiring knowledge and helping others do the same.
Kebede started learning early. She spent her earliest years in Los Banos, California, learning Spanish from her babysitter and sewing from her Ethiopian-born mother. When she was in third grade, she moved to Gardner and learned small-town culture. As a college student, she studied fashion design at the University of North Texas and found internships in Dallas, New York, and Ethiopia.
“At the time, I was like, why not? What can stop me? That mentality got me really cool internships, and I got to meet a lot of cool folks in the industry,” says Kebede.
Fearlessness fostered success. In late 2022, Kebede launched ÈLU by Èlon, an evening-wear and bridal-wear brand featured at New York Fashion Week. In 2023, she landed a mentorship with the Fashion Arts Fund, which helps budding Kansas City designers. And in 2024, she became the executive director of the Fashion Arts Fund. She’s still learning under industry veteran Jennifer Lapka.
“Fashion Arts Fund has helped me tremendously,” she says. “Being the executive director puts a fire underneath my seat. I want these students to experience the fashion industry to the fullest degree, so they’re equipped for their own brand.”
As Kebede’s fashion footprint grows, so will her ability to spread knowledge.
“When I get the right clientele and recurring clientele, then I’m going to start building some schools in Ethiopia,” she says. “That’s always been a part of my goals—I would even say that is the only reason why I’m doing fashion design.”
Elon’s essentials...
Shop Small: My favorite local boutique is Legacy Fabrics. My favorite item I’ve purchased from them was about two yards of stunning lavender charmeuse fabric.
Best Bite: Mmm! I’ve really been into mac and cheese, and there’s a place in Parlor KC called Muncheez. Their honey serrano mac and cheese is insane.
Hidden Gem: I feel like Saint Maur has been slept on. I absolutely love their shoes, especially their Homecoming Collection. Fun fact: Its designer, Cynthia Seymour-Sacco, is a KC native, and she makes her shoes with kente fabric, woven and made in Ghana.
Plant Place: As a plant mother to 20-ish plants (no judgement), my favorite place to shop or just hang out is the Shawnee location of Family Tree Nursery.
Local Maker: Recently, I’ve been really into sneakers (Air Forces, duh), and I wanted mine to be customized. So I hit up Sean Tiller, a local artist, and loved the custom shoes he painted for me!
Crafted Cocktail: Once upon a time I worked at Green Lady Lounge, and call me biased, but literally any drink they make is so delicious. My favorite is a tie between their espresso martini and their Lady Loves Chai.
Caffeine Fix: Groundhouse Coffee. Medium Euphoria, almond milk, no whipped cream. You. Are. Absolutely. Welcome.