LEFT: A trip to Bali made a lasting impression on the designer. After landing in Denpasar the designer toured the island hitting some of the most sought after destinations including: Kuta, Ulu Watu and Ubud. In this collection he takes us on a journey through his memories to create a collection inspired by Balinese beauty and culture.
ILTON Hollis was born in Natchez, Mississippi. His southern heritage is very important to him, because this is where his love of sewing and art first began. That love would later develop into a passion for technical and artistic expression through clothing.
In 1997, Hollis moved to New York and began his pursuit into the world of fashion. While studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Hollis trained under Tim Gardner at Calvin Klein, and developed his expertise in garment design and construction. Immediately after graduating in 1999, he joined ninety of the world’s most distinguished designers at the “NYC 2000 Millennium Fashion Show” in Times Square.
Hollis has had the distinct opportunity to collaborate with some of the industry’s most highly respected designers, including John Bartlett and Dana Buchman. He has established himself as an artist of fashion whose work encapsulates the essence of the modern woman.
In addition to his work in the fashion industry, Hollis frequently serves as a guest lecturer and design critic at F.I.T. he has also contributed his time, talent, and expertise to numerous charitable organizations including: the Speech School of Atlanta, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization, the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis and the Telluride AIDS Benefit in Colorado and sub-Saharan Africa.