LI Woman 'Always Wanted' Fashion Business; Expands Online To Store

WANTAGH, NY — Christina Ellul is a born and raised resident of Wantagh. So, it's no surprise that when it came time to open her first business, she chose her hometown.

Ellul's DCD (which stands for Design Create Donate) Boutique officially opened its storefront on Wantagh Avenue in September. But Ellul took the COVID-19 lockdown as her "sign" to start a fashion shop out of her home.

Ellul was let go from a job on Valentine's Day in 2020 and decided at that moment, she'd never work for a company or a boss again.

With a design sense from an early age, Ellul was destined to start her own boutique. She got the tools needed at SUNY Oneonta and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

"I always wanted to do fashion," Ellul told Patch. "My grandma was my shopping buddy. She was the little fashionista of the family. She instilled that into me."

It was her grandmother who also gave Ellul her first crafting kit. She was so hooked on the career path that Ellul went to fashion camp, where she learned the basics for making clothes, including how to sew.

The location, previously abandoned, features various types of tops and jackets, along with other accessories. But what sets her apart: Ellul will personalize and customize unique designs for the shopper.

Even though she shipped across the country to customers as an e-commerce business, Ellul was able to gain a local following. However, it was only a matter of time before she'd face an upgrade dilemma.

"I had no other choice if I wanted to make this a career," she said.

For now, though, that is a career for one. She works five days a week (and many other hours on fashion projects and orders from home) by herself.

"I need to hire some employees so that I could alleviate some of the stress," she said.

Ellul did well, not surprisingly, leading up to Christmas; bridal parties, less seasonal, are equally popular.

As for the third part of her title — "donate" — Ellul has that covered as well, and donating to several charities has good karma.

"If you give back, it'll come back to you," Ellul said.

Now that she's been able to grow out of her (parents') home, Ellul is happy with word of mouth bringing customers to her shop. She also has built a strong social media presence.

Ellul's next goal is to expand to store number two on Long Island.

"And then have another location in Florida, so maybe when I'm ready to jump back and forth," she said. "I want to scale it."