Q4 2020

4 | Q4 2020 Dec21271 The story of British heritage brand ELLE and CEO Anja Kahn The Covid-19 response by ELLE UK Ltd is truly an exceptional achievement. Like many manufacturers during the pandemic, ELLE switched production from hosiery to PPE, however they did it in their own unique style; firstly, not wanting to exploit the crisis for commercial gain, the company manufactured face masks on a not-for-profit basis, and secondly, the ELLE team did what they do best, they researched and innovated to bring about a PPE range which was effective in its purpose of protecting against Covid-19, launching a face mask with the capability to deactivate and destroy SAR-COV-02 (Covid-19 virus) within minutes of it landing on the surface. The dedication to innovation, and the experience and ability to quickly bring about the best solution for a problem is the basis for ELLE winning the Northern Enterprise Award for ‘Best UK Covid-19 Face Coverings Manufacturer’. ELLE’s technology and innovation, with a strong focus on eco and environmentally friendly & sustainable manufacture, has been at the cutting edge of smart textiles for many years with products in a range of brands including ELLE, Atom Compression Wear, Ms Shape (ELLE’s US and global sister brand), and the newly launched 2P1E anti-viral brand. Products across the brands include medical grade hosiery, performance compression, anti-viral PPE, antiviral linens, and soft furnishings as well as the core offering of high-end luxury tights, leggings, and stockings in an all-inclusive range of sizes from 6 – 36, every size manufactured to fit perfectly irrespective of shape or size. That’s a big ask of a hosiery company, so we went to speak to the innovator behind it all, CEO Anja Kahn, to give us an insight into the workings of the organization. Based in Cheshire, the ELLE brand went from almost a century of producing luxury hosiery to producing milk fibre medical grade compression socks, and then to producing Covid-killing face masks and now to anti-viral hospitality linens and soft furnishings under the new brand. ELLE is a recognized household hosiery brand, synonymous with quality, design, and a very

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