ABOUT ELIAS
Elias was founded by Ines Tamaddon, a lifelong textile enthusiast with years of leadership experience across social enterprise, technology, and small business. The brand reflects a long-held dream to blend her love of design and deep appreciation for artisan communities.
Born and raised in New York, she spent her academic years in Connecticut, Tennessee, and Spain before embarking on professional journeys across the United States and Central America. She is deeply drawn to the way history shapes modern societies and sees handwoven textiles as one of the most enduring reflections of lived experience.
She now resides in Salt Lake City with her husband and daughter.
more on how our story began below
Inspired by Tradition
We curate authentic heirloom rugs, untouched and unaltered, honoring the hands and traditions that wove them and the homes that will carry them forward.
How it began
In a world increasingly consumed by economic disparity, I founded Elias to celebrate the exquisite craft and endurance of artistic communities, preserve ancient art forms, and prioritize intentional consumption.
I was raised amongst cultural juxtapositions; a father who relocated to New York from Iran during the 1979 Revolution and a mother with multi-generational ties across North America. This created a diverse backdrop of social connection, family, and art. As I came of age, I began to understand the resilience of my paternal grandparents and particularly, appreciate the wisdom of my grandmother, often enraptured by her sage advice and connection to nature.
During her annual trips to Iran, she would bring back treasured carpets to adorn our family homes. Surrounded by rich fabrics and textures, I was naive to how our purchasing power was preserving pillars of our heritage.
My appreciation for handwoven textiles grew organically and eventually inspired a professional opportunity in the western highlands of Guatemala, where I worked with Maya artisans. I was astonished by the variance of techniques, parallels to my own culture, and conservation of traditions.
My grandmother, Azam Elias Azar Tamaddon, is the inspiration behind Elias. Her spirit is felt in every knot of our exquisite rugs. I hope these pieces inspire you to curate family heirlooms and stories for years and years to come.
Xo, Ines