Self-Taught Artist:

I often get asked, “Where did you learn your process?” And the truth is - I taught myself. My art degree was very conceptual and didn’t much approve of the decorative arts. While I found it incredibly educational, I’ve always been drawn to aesthetics.

Early Inspirations in London

So naturally, when I first arrived in London, I ended up in a job where I could practice my love for beauty; working for a florist. It was a tiny company, but we had some amazing jobs, including dressing the Queen's gallery and Emma Watson’s Christmas Party. We would sit in the woman who owned the company's kitchen, hand-making garlands and bouquets.

A World of Fabric and Creativity

She would regularly visit India and bring back the most beautiful pieces of fabric I had ever seen. It was like being in Aladdin’s cave, but you were allowed to touch it. She had a Christmas fair coming up and had all these little glass gift frames you can buy on eBay. I asked if I could have a go at making a flying dove out of the sari trims on one of the frames.

First Creation and a Turning Point

I remember her looking at me like, “...you can...try?” So I tried, and it somehow made the cut; a little old lady bought it for her granddaughter at the fair. This gave me the green pass for future experiments. Out came all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures. However, sadly, my time working for her was cut short by how expensive London is; I could barely make the rent.

A Shift in Career Path

I soon got a job working at an interior designer. However, my expectations didn’t meet reality, and I found myself sitting in front of a computer every day. My yearning for creative freedom meant getting home from work at 7 in the evening and, in my spare time, working on improving my textile creations. I posted one I made for my cousin’s wedding on social media and, to my surprise, had several people asking if I could make them a piece too. And so, the seed was sown.

A Life-Changing Realization

It was only when I fell so sick it landed me in hospital for a few months did I realize life was short. So I promised myself I’d never work in front of a computer again and, from my hospital bed, set to work planning how I was going to launch Lily Adele.

Where I Am Today

Skip a few years and here we are.

Love Lily x