Preserving traditional British passementerie craft through contemporary design

I am thrilled to announce that my first passementerie collaboration, Kaleidoscope, with luxury Passementerie purveyors Samuel & Sons has won with the prestigious 'Best Decorative Touch' award at the Living Etc Style Awards 2025. This recognition marks not only a personal milestone but also shines a spotlight on one of the UK's endangered traditional crafts.

Eye catching colourful advertisement for the Kaleidoscope passementerie collection, a collaboration between luxury passementerie makers Samuel & Sons and Passementerie Artist Elizabeth Ashdown, showcasing vibrant hand-crafted textile trimmings

A Rare Craft in Modern Times

This recognition is particularly meaningful as it celebrates the artistry of passementerie—a centuries-old craft that is endangered in the UK. With only four craftswomen still designing and creating passementerie by hand in the UK today, this award not only honours our dedication to exceptional craftsmanship but also shines a vital spotlight on preserving this exquisite traditional skill.

Detailed photo of Elizabeth Ashdown's hand woven cream, coral, blue and green passementerie braid from her collaboration with luxury Passementerie company Samuel & Sons. — *Kaleidoscope Braid* in colourway *Lupine*

The Significance of the Living Etc Style Awards Recognition

The Living Etc Style Awards represent the pinnacle of interior design excellence, celebrating innovation, craftsmanship, and aesthetic achievement in home decoration. For a hand-crafted passementerie collection to claim the 'Best Decorative Touch' award speaks volumes about the enduring appeal and relevance of traditional craftsmanship in contemporary interior design. Pip Rich, editor of Living Etc said this about Kaleidoscope ‘the colours in the Kaleidoscope collection are as varied as the name implies. The whole point of a finishing flourish is that it’s fun and this is the most fun final touch I’ve ever seen.’

A beautiful, bright bedroom featuring luxury textiles including a range of hand woven passementerie trimmings from Elizabeth Ashdown's Kaleidoscope collaboration with Samuel & Sons which has won Best Decorative Touch at the Living Etc Style Awards

My Collaboration with Samuel & Sons

The Kaleidoscope collection represents the glorious combination of heritage techniques with contemporary design, each piece meticulously handcrafted to bring texture, colour, and sophisticated finishing touches to interiors. Kaleidoscope demonstrates how centuries-old techniques can create fresh, relevant designs that speak to modern sensibilities while honouring traditional methods passed down through generations of craftspeople.

The *Kaleidoscope Crete* in colourway *Pavilion*

Thank you to Living etc and the judging panel for recognising both our work and the importance of sustaining Britain's rich textile heritage. This award belongs not just to us, but to the enduring tradition of passementerie craftsmanship itself.

Discover the Kaleidoscope Collection

Ready to bring award-winning passementerie into your own projects? Explore my vibrant Kaleidoscope collection with Samuel & Sons, where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary design in a celebration of colour, craft and texture.

Learn the Art & Craft of Passementerie

Inspired to try your hand at this beautiful, endangered craft? I'd love to share these precious techniques with you. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, there are several ways to embark on your passementerie journey:

Hands-On Workshops - Join fellow passementerie enthusiasts in intimate group sessions where you'll learn fundamental techniques while creating your own pieces to take home.

Online Masterclasses - Perfect for those who prefer learning from home, my live, online Passementerie Masterclass will guide you through traditional methods.

1-to-1 Studio Tuition - For the ultimate learning experience, visit my London studio for personalised instruction tailored to your interests and skill level. Work directly with traditional tools and materials in a studio environment. Please contact me to discuss.

Award-Winning Passementerie: Celebrating Best Decorative Touch at Living Etc Style Awards 2025