elizabeth and kate began out of a "need." Elizabeth's sister, Suzanne, tried in vain to find simple, fun, and unique barrettes for her two-year-old daughter, Kate. She wanted barrettes that were fashionable and would not slip out of Kate's fine hair as she played. When she couldn't find any, she asked Elizabeth if she could make some. Of course "Auntie" went right to work.

Suzanne was thrilled with the barrettes! They could be mixed and matched by size and color, they actually stayed in Kate's hair, and they were different from anything Suzanne had seen in stores. As Kate continued to wear the barrettes, more and more moms asked Suzanne about them. It became apparent that there was a wider audience - thus elizabeth and kate was launched.

Since then, the barrettes have been seen on little girls, teenagers, aunts, mothers, and even grandmothers. And now we've got additional accessories for women, children and the home.