From Sketches to Success: How Ella Titus Created Her Fashion Reality

Written by Waukee APEX Associate Avery Gulliford

Ella Titus is making waves in the fashion world as an independent designer based in Los Angeles, California. With a unique approach that draws inspiration from art and architecture, Ella creates gowns that marry bold, structural silhouettes with soft, feminine details. Her designs are a modern, timeless celebration for the creative and daring bride. Currently, her brand is expanding its reach to global fashion capitals like London, New York, and Milan. But before stepping onto the world stage, Ella began her journey right here in Waukee as an APEX student.

Ella’s APEX Experience

As one of the first students to study at the Waukee Innovation and Learning Center (WILC) when it opened in 2017, Ella embraced the opportunities APEX offered, taking three courses during high school: Design Communication Solutions (DCS), Developing Web-Based Technologies (DWT), and one of the first sections of the APEX Entrepreneurship course, Business Startup. Reflecting on her time in the program, Ella credits APEX with building the foundation of skills she now uses to run her business.

During her APEX experience, Ella worked on real world projects that shaped her professional growth. She collaborated with Hy-Vee to design new packaging, created web pages for a vintage boutique in Adel, and began establishing her personal brand. These projects honed her abilities in client management, scheduling, and professional communication. “Even basic skills, like writing a professional email, made a huge difference,” Ella shares. “When I moved to Los Angeles, I realized how valuable those skills were—many people I met didn’t have that kind of training.”

APEX wasn’t just a professional turning point for Ella; it was also a place of personal transformation. “Before APEX, I was shy and reserved,” she reflects. “The program helped me come out of my shell. Now, I attend networking events for my brand all the time, and I really think APEX set me up well to be able to do that.”

Ella’s passion for creativity extended beyond APEX. In high school, she thrived in the theatre department, designing costumes for school musicals, directing Friday Night Live, and occasionally stepping on stage herself. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found Waukee High School’s Fashion Club, which culminated in its first-ever fashion show.

Fashion Future

Today, Ella exemplifies the vision and professionalism APEX strives to inspire. Her journey from Waukee to the global fashion scene is a testament to the program’s impact in cultivating innovation, confidence, and leadership. Ella’s story reminds us that bold dreams, supported by the right foundation, can lead to extraordinary achievements.