Made in America

Elana Collection, located in Huntingdon Valley, PA has been quietly making knitted dresses and suits in the U.S. since 1987.  Elaine Vinikor, a master knitter, started the company with her mother after emigrating to America from Russia, in 1978.

They first started out hand knitting sweaters.   Then they developed a following by opening a store.  Soon they were employing a number of women to knit for them by hand.  Finally, they opened a factory in 1987.   As other factories were starting to close their doors all over the country, in the early 90's-- Elaine and her mother were bucking that trend.

 

Huntingdon Valley Factory

Over the years Elaine has developed a following of boutiques and stores all over the country.  Her product is a wool/rayon knit that is much the same as the fabrication used in the first sportswear designed by Coco Chanel in the early 1900's.  A fabrication in natural fibers that is still used in fine knitwear world wide.

Current Production

Elana Knits has been able to compete in the marketplace because of Elaine's relentless effort to sell to stores via trade shows, continually refreshing the line with new designs and fabrications and also investing in technology that allows faster production.   

Shima Knitting Machine

This is one of the machines that knits the main body of each garment and is able to be programmed in an almost infinite variety of stitches and patterns.  

And that perhaps is why Elaine is still in business.  By being an early adopter of technology she has been able to manufacture at a price point that allows her to be competitive with other companies manufacturing a similar product overseas. 

 

Paul Moore, Shima USA

One of the most important "members" of
Elana Knitwear is Paul Moore who is a technician from Shima Seiki, USA.  His company manufactures computerized knitting machines and apparel design systems. Paul troubleshoots issues and recently helped to upgrade the programmability of the machines.

Finished Knitwear

 





The raised stitch in the rectangles of this dress  are an example of the capability of the computerized knitting machine....infinite possibilities!



 






 
After the garments are knitted on the big machines they are finished and detailed by hand.  A staff of seamstresses specialize in a variety finishing techniques that are proprietary to Elana Knits. 

Elaine holding up a dress from current production

According the the American Apparel & Footwear Association:   97% of all clothing sold in the US is imported....manufactured in other countries.   As a proponent of manufacturing in America, this statistic to me, is both shocking and sad. 

Elaine gives me hope.  She continues to design, sell and manufacture in a business that is extremely hard to be viable in.  In the last year her daughter Emily has come on board.  She becomes the 3rd generation in this family-run business, that continues to be- Made in America.   Proudly!