Ellerbe English Wood was born on November 4, 1887, in San Saba County, Texas and later moved to San Antonio, Texas. She was the daughter of Campbell Wood (Dec 1842-Oct 1914 and Ann Hall Mitchell (May 1850-Nov 1902). She had four sisters: Mary Lou Wood, Elizabeth Augusta Wood, Annie Laurie Wood, and Campbell Ella Wood; and one brother, Campbell Wood Jr. She married Andrew Henry Zundel in 1912 and lived in Westchester, New York. She was a member of the Texas Club of New York, a social group consisting of wealthy transplanted Texans known for throwing lavish parties, celebrating Texas victories such as the battle of San Jacinto, and raising money for charities. Wood was known for giving dramatic play readings and performing in one-acts. She was known as an “interpreter of plays.” Prior to 1930, Wood divorced her husband and made New York her permanent home. She soon became an importer for her own dress shop, La Maison Francaise, in Rockefeller Center. She quickly became what others called an internationally famed fashionist, and an international fashion authority. She was the founder of Ellerbe Wood Inc., where she presented the American Couture Exhibits Advanced Spring & Cruise Wear 1940-1941 at her salon, Ellerbe Wood Salons. Four times a year, by appointment only, she showed couturier models she personally chose in Paris and London and for over a decade, she would travel between Paris and New York, introducing Americans to Parisian fashion trends. Her first experience overseas was in entertainment work during World War I. Several years later, she had a recital tour to Europe where her venture in importing began. She brought back a small group of models for business friends and her models quickly became universally used. She became a style mentor for buyers, designers, and art students. She was a commentator at the Frederick & Nelson Paris Originals 1936-1937 collection, modeled in the Annual Banquet of The Silk Traveler’s Association in 1935, was a judge at the Julius Kayser Design Awards, and had French Couture Exhibits at Rockefeller Center. Her fashion shows aided in women relief funds. Wood died in January 1968.