OUR TEAM

Designing, sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing and fulfilling the world’s finest decorative trim and hardware is a team sport. Classical Elements is truly privileged to have some of the best people in the business on our side. So without further ado, here they are.

STUART GANS

Textiles run deep in the Gans family. Stuart is a third generation entrepreneur in a family with a long history in textiles. In 1946 his grandfather opened a successful fabric store in NJ. His father followed in his footsteps and expanded the operation. While working summers with his father, Stuart’s love for sourcing and manufacturing luxury fabrics developed into a full-time career. With a focus on trimmings and decorative hardware, he ventured out on his own to start Tassel Time Inc. before co-founding Classical Elements with his wife, Leyla.

LEYLA GANS

As the ying to Stuart’s yang, Leyla is co-founder of Classical Elements. An accomplished artist, Leyla combines unique materials, cultural influences and indigenous artisan skills in ways the industry has never seen before to create trendsetting decorative trimmings and hardware. Driven by an intense desire to innovate and surprise, she leaves no stone, fabric, glass, wood or metal unturned in her quest for inspiration. Leyla is a graduate of the Art Institute Ft. Lauderdale with a degree in photography.

LIESL BRAUN

Liesl Braun, joined Classical Elements in 2009, she was formerly the design manager at Castellano Beltrame. Liesl relocated from South Africa and now enjoys North Carolina as her adopted home. Liesl brings years of experience and excellence in design.