CARLY ELLIS
I am a British Creative Director working at the intersection of sport, culture, and high-performance design. My work transforms performance fashion into a platform for identity, empowerment, and cultural expression.
From New York Fashion Week to the world’s biggest sporting stages, I lead work that merges editorial fashion thinking with elite performance innovation. My fifteen years of industry experience spans luxury, high-volume commercial fashion, and made-to-measure, 1 of 1 design — a unique experience that enables me to move fluidly between vision, craft, and scale.
I have designed for some of the most influential athletes in the world, creating performance systems that function as both technical tools and cultural movements. I have literally changed the rules of sport, allowing female athletes to wear non-white base layer at the historically very rigid Wimbledon Tennis Club. I approach design as a universal tool of empowerment — what a person wears shapes how they are represented, and remembered.
My leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration, problem solving, and creative passion. I build environments where teams feel empowered to take risks, challenge convention, and design with purpose.
I believe great creative direction isn’t just about making beautiful work — it’s about setting a vision, shaping culture, and leaving systems stronger than you found them.
I design for athletes who move the world — and I lead with the responsibility that comes with that.
FOREWARD WITH THANKS TO E. P. Cutler, New York Times best-selling fashion author and historian.
British Designer Carly Ellis mashes up impossibly cool subculture with keep-for-twenty-years fashion. Why sportswear? “It’s never been anything else.”
Ellis graduated from the University of Westminster in 2010. Her graduate collection "BOOM!" was featured by Vogue Italia, Super Super Magazine, The Mail on Sunday, and was shot by photographer Rankin of Dazed & Confused. It received critical acclaim:
“Carly Ellis hit a niche with her evening-inspired sportswear which actually glows under UV light.”—Hilary Alexander, The Telegraph.
Ellis was invited to join Parsons The New School for Design’s MFA in Fashion Design, with Diane von Furstenberg personally sponsoring her $100,000 education. Her MFA graduate collection was shown during New York Fashion Week, entitled “That Moment Before It All Makes Sense,” and was covered by Style.com, Le Monde Paris, WWD, and The New York Times.
At her MFA show, Ellis was approached by Donna Karan. She became the Outerwear and Sportswear designer at DKNY, collaborating with top model Cara Delevingne on Cara D x DKNY.
“When I look at you, it makes me feel like I have done something good with my life.” – Donna Karan, Ellis’ mentor.
Ellis fulfilled her childhood ambition when she got hired by Nike, designing out of the World Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. She got her start as the Women’s Apparel designer at NikeLab, owning the Women’s line and representing Nike on collaborations such as Ambush, A-Cold-Wall, Skepta, Matthew Williams of Alyx, Pigalle and MiniWiz.
Her next chapter was a new kind of catwalk, the tennis court. She had the honor of working with unforgettable sport icons, designing one-off, made to measure looks for Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Naomi Osaka. She revels in the challenge of blending unforgettable fashion with the highest of performance expectations. “It’s the outfits” - Serena Williams, when asked why she still played after 27 years.
Currently Carly directs the Men’s and Women’s Global Golf Apparel Design Team, and is on a mission to make golf cool, inclusive and an even playing field for all athletes.
She has a Chihuahua she thought was a Spaniel called Jack, who likes to cruise around in Mum’s Mini Cooper. She still loves the Nike Air Max 95s that she got when she was 8, and hopes the product she creates changes the future of sport.
testimony
“GREAT JOB, YOU KILLED IT. AS ALWAYS you are a star.”
— Serena WilliamsDesign Meetings.
“THIS IS THE BEST DESIGN I HAVE SEEN FROM NIKE IN 20 YEARS.”
“Carly’s enthusiasm FOR DESIGN is infectious”
— Mrs. Wenmoth, Carly's High School Textile Design teacher.Year 11 Report Card.
“literally the best design presentation i have had from nike.”
— Maria SharapovaIn Bordighera, Italy, following Maria’s last ever Design meeting with Nike.
“australia outfit is possibly the best one i will ever wear in my career. like i am so so so so so so happy it’s wildly cool crazy and the most serena i have ever had. i love the outfit so much and never want to take it off.”
— Serena WilliamsVia Text.
“yOUR HAIR IS PINK.”
— Marc JacobsIn the evevator.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT TENNIS THAT STAYS FRESH FOR YOU? “it’s the outfits.”
— Serena WilliamsPost Match TV interview, Roland Garros.
“you make me feel like i have done something good with my life.”
— Donna KaranPost my first ever DKNY Fashion Week show.
“yOUr taste is kinda like las vegas.”
— Andrew Groves, University of Westminster BA Fashion Design Course Director.“you already have the vision of a creative director.”
— Olivier TheyskensFeedback Session for MFA Theyskins Theory Project, 2010.
“It is amazing having Carly on Golf! Carly has been a very positive fresh value in our team who puts her team first. She acknowledges the wins and celebrates others. It's such a privilege to have someone as talented as Carly on our team. Thank you!”
— EveDirector
“I've been so happy to have the opportunity to work with you, and feel a special Joy when I do”
— Robin Technical Develope
“You have been more available and communicative than any other boss I have had. You're punctual, proactive, and push me to design not just new but better. You have a positive attitude, a creative knowledge pool, and an engaging leadership style.You communicate vision and purpose through compelling conversation, vision, and strategy that motivates the team to action. You drive clarity, You ask questions that make us think and get sharper. You provide inspiration and solutionS that guide new and better ideas/designs.
— ShannanDirect Report
“I absolutely love working with you and you are the most FUN. thank you for being such an amazing person.”
— KatieMaterial Development
“Hey Carly! Hope you are doing well! Just wanted to acknowledge you for being an amazing leader! You are a total rockstar, can't wait to keep seeing you kill it in the tennis world!”
- Luibelt Color Designer
“Most I have smiled in an interview ever. Amazing person. Amazing creative. Important part of GSA offense.”
— StuVP Nike Design
“Her incredible background and creative methods ensure you will learn from her as your manager. She is always encouraging and positive. She is so knowledgeable in her craft and goes above and beyond to answer any question you have. She provides a safe comfortable space to grow and learn. It was an absolute pleasure to work with her.”
— MackenzieDirect Report
“Carly is an exceptional designer and an even more impactful leader, known for her empathetic approach to creative collaboration. As my manager in Women's Tennis & Golf, she consistently guided me with her expert knowledge of product and sport, while also supporting my personal growth. Her unwavering passion for the athlete, strategic thinking and resilience during challenging times inspired not only me but the entire team."
- Allison Direct Report