about

"elizabeth bessant"

As an artist I have gone full circle. I started my career as a printmaker exhibiting at the Royal Academy and in New York. 

My journey has taken me through 28 years as a couture designer where fashion became my medium of expression dressing society women, couture brides and celebrities.

The world of luxury brands, advertising and media has influenced my work as I step away from fashion and return to my artist roots.

Elizabeth was always destined to be an artist. From her early years she was constantly drawing, painting, sewing, and model making. But her dream was to be a fine artist. Four years at Newport College of Art specialising in silkscreen printmaking led her to Tredegar House a local stately home to draw and gather inspiration for a series of silkscreen prints for her degree show.

Months before graduating Elizabeth decided the time was right to submit one of her Tredegar House silkscreen prints to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. It was accepted, hung and the edition sold out – a career was launched. London galleries rushed to buy her prints.

By 1987 she was already listed in Who’s Who in International Art. Her silkscreen prints were selling all over the world and were being hung in restaurants and hotels by many established interior designers.

After her son was born it was time to rethink and find a new creative outlet. This is when her career in fashion took shape. Her collections sold well, and Elizabeth soon established herself as a couture designer creating exclusive outfits for society and celebrity clients.

Elizabeth had long wanted to return to her artist roots, and she used lockdown to explore themes from everyday life, building collages that are iconic and individualistic. Elizabeth was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Artists in 2018 - her creative journey continues.

Elizabeth says: ‘It’s the artist’s role to continually question and influence how people perceive our world.’

For more details of past & current projects please visit the News page