Case Study: Ever by Ellie: A Brand Identity and Website Collaboration
Ellie approached me ready for a fresh start. As a luxury bridal hairstylist, her work has always carried that blend of elegance and effortlessness brides are looking for. But her branding wasn’t showing that off.
This is the story of how Ever by Ellie was created.
Brand Showcase for Ever by Ellie - Deep, Dramatic, Romantic Reds against a neutral backdrop, vintage imagery and a logo underpinned by a bow icon.
The Brand: What’s in a name?
From the first call, Ellie explained that she was considering a name change. Her original name, ‘Love Hair by Ellie’ had been with her from day one. But wanting to maybe broaden her services in the near future, she wanted something less tied to hair. During research, it became clear that a name could help shape the identity and give it longevity and whilst this is not my usual area of expertise, but ever the passionate creative, I waded in anyway.
Ever by Ellie came to life. The “Ever” nods to both timelessness and the wedding world (“ever after”), while the alliteration makes it memorable. It’s confident, inviting and fits Ellie’s vision of classic glamour.
The Colour Palette:
Saying Yes to Red
In her Brand & Website Questionnaire, Ellie was certain of one thing…she didn’t want red in her branding. But during moodboarding, I kept coming to the same thought. Ellie’s questionnaire had a running theme across dream clients, aspirational brands and her professional style. Wanting to lean into high-end, vintage Hollywood glamour and romance that would set her apart from the monochrome minimalism that dominates the wedding industry, my mind kept coming back to deep, sultry reds (think Charlotte Tilbury and Cartier levels of romance). Old Hollywood glamour, romantic styling, richness.
Keen to not ignore Ellie’s wishes, I developed 2 moodboards. One showcasing this vision and one leaning more towards sages and light tones (which Ellie had identified in the brand designs of peers she admired).
Ellie’s reaction? Immediate agreement that red was the way the creative direction should go (yay!). The brand suddenly felt bold, stand out, high-end and exactly the kind of luxury she wanted to embody.
The Bow: A Signature Flourish
I wanted to give Ellie something deeply personal and iconic. The answer came in the form of a bow designed from two “e” letters. Elegant, simple, and packed with meaning.
The bow can feature as a stand alone icon, but when used in logos has been arranged into a square format to give the feel of a high-end pattern and represent the bridal party as a whole.
From there, a full logo suite was developed:
Primary Logo: Combining the bow with the brand name in a serif font.
Variations: Horizontal and stacked formats for flexibility and even a brand stamp.
Brand Mark & Icon: Standalone bow or simplified versions for subtle touches and instant brand recognition.
This will make it easy for Ellie to apply the brand across everything from print materials to social media templates.
The Final Look: A Bold and Personal Brand
The finished brand identity was delivered in a complete Brand Manual:
Logo Suite: Primary logo, variations, brand mark and icon, each with rules for sizing, spacing and use.
Typography: Italiana for headings (timeless, elegant), Lato for body text (approachable, modern). Together, they create balance and consistency.
Colour Palette: Merlot red as the hero, paired with neutral buff and powder shades, dark noir accents, and clay as a highlight to draw attention when needed.
Brand Pattern: A repeating bow motif for backgrounds or subtle overlays, adding texture and depth.
Usage Guidelines: Rules for colour hierarchy, logo placement and misuses, ensuring the brand stays polished no matter where it’s applied.
This meant Ellie didn’t just walk away with impactful visuals, she left with a fully usable toolkit that will support her brand for years to come.
Ellie’s Kind Words
“Sammi is amazing at what she does, the attention to detail is insane. Having a complete rebrand was a big step for me including a name change, (Sammi actually come up with my new name), She is so patient and understands the importance of getting everything just right.
I am over the moon with my new branding and I cannot wait to share the final result.
Thank you so much again Sammi, I will miss working with you.”
The Village that brought this brand together
It takes a village to truly bring your brand to life and the village that collaborated on this brand are credited below:
Brand Identity Design: Make it Pretty
Website Design: M Co Creation
The above formed as a collaboration with: The Collab Club
Brand Images: Lou Sutton Photography
