Elizabeth McQuiston and Tara Clark at Willa in Queen Anne.
Debbie Steele
Tara Clark and Elizabeth McQuiston are Seattle fashion icons and entrepreneurs. The duo has teamed up to offer a Ski Chalet Galentine’s Event on Feb. 15. Their star power and shared attitude of promoting beauty in all forms is sure to melt winter hearts.
Having started their businesses on the Seattle side, they are each bringing their flair for fashion to Bellevue.
Clark is a renowned photographer who has turned her eye to high end ski wear. This season, she opened a winter pop-up shop at Bellevue Square. Queen Anne shoppers likely recognize McQuiston from her years on the Avenue and style offerings from Willa- A Lifestyle Shop. And those styles will soon be available when her second store opens in Bellevue this Spring.
Inspired by her mother who worked in women’s fashion, McQuiston developed her own eye for fashion when she lived in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles after college. When it came time to raise her own family, she decided to return to the Queen Anne neighborhood where she had grown up. And after a short time as a stay-at-home mom, she bought a local building and business so that she could give women’s fashion a try. With a commitment to quality, she began curating an essential wardrobe with pieces that will stand the test of time.
McQuiston is regularly seen around the neighborhood sporting looks that are effortlessly chic, whether she is at happy hour or the school playground. The clothes at Willa embody a lifestyle with less fuss and prioritize comfort without sacrificing style.
“We’re not trendy, we’re classic with a badass edge that makes us undeniably cool,” she says.
Clark embodies that same commitment to quality, comfort, and style with her line of TaraShakti apparel. The company’s mission is to ignite powerful moments of positivity, possibility, and connection enabling every woman’s unique star power to shine. And shine they do. When skiers hit the slopes in these bright onesies, people definitely stop to take notice and smile and the confident women that ski by. Clark says this has been the most challenging, rewarding, and forever changing experience of her life.
“It has allowed me to meet, work with, and create life-changing connections that I carry with me and have made me a better person. I’m learning to have more pride in myself as a woman and a mother.”
TaraShakti is women founded, women owned, and a leader in designing unisex winter activewear with a tailored fit. The suits and fanny packs are handmade in Kathmandu and a portion of the proceeds goes to support the Northwest Sherpa Association and the Ivy Center at Cherry Hill’s Swedish Medical Center. Clark says that it’s her dream to one day design winter athletic wear for Team USA Olympic. But for now, she says she is “thrilled to have people discover the warmth, comfort, performance, and stunning fit of our sits.” As a sponsor, TaraShakti suits will be put to the test at this year’s Big Ski Skijoring Showdown in Montana. And viewers can watch for the TaraShakti Mob Boss dance video starring one of Macklemore’s dancers coming later this Spring.
McQuiston and Clark will be hosting a combined Galentine’s Day event at Willa 2213 Queen Anne Ave N. on Feb. 15, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. They will have Aperol apres-ski drinks, catered bites, and sparkling conversation to go with their beautiful fashions.
They look forward to connecting with shoppers and future friends at the event .
“Mostly, I am excited about all the people we get to meet through TaraShakti, and have them shine bright on the mountains, and in the city wearing our suits,” Clark said.
More information: wearwilla.com and tarashakti.com