Intricate techniques bursting with richness of colour, pattern and material combinations in Elizabeth’s innovative passementerie
One of only a few hand Passementerie artists working in the UK today, Elizabeth combines traditional and endangered craft skills with a contemporary aesthetic in order to create innovative passementerie. She is the author of Passementerie, Handcrafting contemporary trimmings, tassels, fringes and more published by Schiffer Craft.
Working from her studio in London, Elizabeth creates made to order passementerie for interior designers, fashion designers, milliners and more. Elizabeth also creates bespoke wall based artworks using her signature passementerie techniques.
Elizabeth is passionate about sharing the fascinating world of passementerie. She regularly teaches Passementerie Masterclasses both online and in person.
In 2023, Elizabeth was awarded the first Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust ADAM Architecture Scholarship for passementerie. She received her MA in Textiles from the Royal College of Art.
If you would like to discuss a bespoke passementerie commission, please get in touch.
Upcoming events
• Talking Threads - Jayne Emerson & Elizabeth Ashdown, hosted by The Embroiderers' Guild
• Decorex 2024 - Making Spaces - Please join me to view my latest passementerie collection - stand MS14.
Learn in person
• Make Town - London - Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th November
• Hand & Lock - London - Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th December
Learn online
• Live, passementerie masterclass - September 2024
Passementerie holiday
• Creative Experiences - Paris & Provins - April 2025.
Awards
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Adam Architecture Scholarship 2023
Endangered Craft Fund Heritage Crafts Association and Pilgrim Trust ( 2022)
International Kogei Award 2021 (shortlisted)
Jerwood Makers Open 2021 (shortlisted)
Arts Foundation Futures Award - Materials Innovation
As seen in
Architectural Digest, Veranda, House & Garden, The Textile Eye, Embroidery, Selvedge, Living ETC, The Financial Times, Homes and Gardens, Country and Town House.
Artist statement
I am captivated by the intricate interplay of threads, the energetic dance of colours and the tactile beauty of yarns. Drawing inspiration from historical traditions, I strive to breathe new life into the endangered art of Passementerie. Passementerie is rooted in tradition and I feel that it is my role as a contemporary artist and designer to push the boundaries of how these heritage techniques can be used in an entirely new and innovative manner.
I meticulously craft intricate passementerie artworks through the delicate interplay of colour, materials, pattern and texture, allowing each artwork to tell a unique story. Drawing on heritage weaving techniques, I combine unexpected, hand-dyed colour palettes, traditional passementerie materials and energetic patterns, challenging preconceived notions of what can be achieved through this fascinating craft.
My creative process is a journey where intuition, precision, making excellence and a deep sensitivity to material and colour converge. When making an artwork, I immerse myself in the tactile pleasure of handcrafting each piece, finding a rhythm in the repetitive nature of weaving. In the resulting artworks, I invite viewers to engage with my art on a sensory level, to appreciate the intricate details, and to discover the stories woven into every thread.
Ultimately, my goal as a passementerie artist and weaver is to create objects of beauty that transcend boundaries and connect with the human spirit. By intertwining tradition and innovation, I seek to breathe new life into this ancient craft, infusing it with contemporary relevance and inspiring a renewed appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship of hand woven passementerie. Through my work, I hope to invite viewers to contemplate the enduring power of weaving, to connect with the threads that bind us to the past, and to celebrate the transformative beauty that can be found in the delicate interplay of colour, pattern and yarn.
If you would like to discuss a bespoke artwork or a bespoke passementerie commission, please get in touch.