The Fashionable Black Belt was started by Ellen Nudo, a practicing martial artist in Tang Soo Do. She fell in love with martial arts while watching her son train, and decided to give it a try. Ellen began training at the age of 47, received her First Degree Black Belt (Cho Dan) at age 51, and her Second Degree Black Belt (E Dan) at 55.

Ellen formed The Fashionable Black Belt to share her love of the martial arts with fellow practitioners, as well as her sense of humor regarding her training as a practitioner of "advanced years."

Ellen hopes that others will enjoy expressing themselves and their love of martial arts by wearing her designs!