Designer Confidential: Diva, don't hate

Designer Confidential highlights the work of SU's greatest fashion asset: its student designers.

I entered a photo shoot to see the complete set up: models, cameras flashing, makeup. What really caught my eye was an oversized, gorgeous scarf wrapped around a very trendy guy’s neck. I was so impressed by the intricate knitting and the choice of color combinations that I decided to introduce myself and asked where he purchased his scarf.

AJ Ellis, with two models from SU sporting his scarves. Photo: Luke McComb

"My name is AJ Ellis, and I make them," he said. "It’s called the ‘Don’t Hate’."

He then asks if I would like to try one on. Personally, I think he rocks it better, but I loved the instant warmth I felt. You can imagine my surprise when AJ told me he was a senior Business major at SU and not a fashion design student. His inspiration for the “Don’t Hate” came from living in the brutal cold of Syracuse. 

“I feel like I have literally three red blood cells that just rub up on each other for the heat that I have to live off of.  So I thought, ‘Why not expedite the warming process, and invent a 24/7 hug?’” 

AJ caught his fashion bug his sophomore year of high school when he looked at style.com during fashion week. He is also the founder of the Stitch Society blog, and was profiled along with his design partner Courtney Zapor in a Television-Radio-Film Producing the Fashion Video class.  

“Currently, I'm mid-knitting a ‘Don't Hate’ that is SO good.  It's just two colors, burgundy and navy—my favorite combination—and is striped between solids and speckled.  I may have to steal this one for myself...” 

His Dream Job: Anywhere that lets him be creative. 

Why you should look out for him: His ‘Don't Hate’ has received some pretty sweet attention and he is currently helping design Courtney Zapor’s Senior collection.   

Designer’s Confidential: “I think fashion is 10% what you wear, and 90% how you wear it.  Never be uncomfortable.”

- by Kareema Pinckney