Creative Director: Abigael Elyse

Hello Friends,

Welcome to Elevate My Look! My name is Abigael Elyse. I began my journey in the performing arts at the early age of three, where I was introduced to both classical and modern dance. It quickly became evident that I had a natural ability to perform, and as I grew, I discovered my true strength in teaching. By the age of 13, I was already teaching children, sharing my passion and skills with others.

Entrepreneurship entered my life through my mother’s leadership, as we ran a successful dance studio in Detroit that trained exceptional dancers. In our third year, I was honored with a scholarship to attend Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Recognizing the opportunity, my mother made the pivotal decision to relocate me to Los Angeles, setting me on a path aligned with the entertainment industry.

At 19, I was discovered by an indie producer who saw potential in me and began investing in my talent, teaching me the ins and outs of recording music. I started writing my own songs, and with Myspace being the go-to platform at the time, I began sharing my music there, quickly gaining a following through social media. For the next 10 years, I worked as an indie R&B recording artist and was steadily rising in the industry. I attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood (for vocal performance) and even lived in NYC for a time.

Although I loved the music I was creating, I felt something was missing in my life. It was during my second move to New York that I encountered Jesus—a transformative moment in my journey—after experiencing the death of my Uncle William. I learned quickly that life is spiritual, and we only have one chance to align with our purpose. My journey in the secular entertainment world ended in 2014 when I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.

When I made the decision to step away from the secular entertainment industry, I returned to my hometown of Detroit, where I rediscovered my deep passion for fashion. This realization led me to enroll in the Fashion Design and Merchandising program at Wayne State University, where I began to hone my skills. Around the same time, I was hired by one of the top retailers in America—Nordstrom—a pivotal moment that allowed me to immerse myself in the fashion world and lay the foundation for the next phase of my creative journey.

I vividly remember walking into the store for my interview, feeling as if I had stepped into a world of possibilities. Little did I know, that day marked the start of working in luxury retail (Louis Vuitton, Burberry Lululemon) that would eventually lead me to launch my own boutique years later. Though my creative career began as a dancer, singer, and songwriter, this opportunity was divinely orchestrated to shape my future as an entrepreneur and creative director in fashion. The many years of performing met with the skills developed in my educational studies and career has given me knowledge; yet, my gifts from God has blessed me with vision and insight. Looking back, it all makes perfect sense, and I am excited to creatively bring the vision of this company to life. 

With Love,

Abigael Elyse