Emma Cowlam

Award winning, Chelsea Art School graduate Emma Cowlam produces hand stitched and hand drawn original illustrations using a personally developed and unique sewing technique. Taking inspiration from everyday life she transforms what she sees into lasting images.

Emma’s life-long fascination with the world around her has led her to recording her experiences visually. She developed her passion for illustration whilst at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, New York and it was here where she refined her own personal technique and style.

The secret to Emma’s captivating artwork lies in her innovative combination of traditional sewing and drawing skills which can be manipulated to suit the digital age, successfully fusing together tradition and technology.

Internationally exhibited and sold, Emma’s illustrations have featured in publications such as Elle, Elle Decoration, Living ETC and Glamour. Her illustrated product range spans the interior, fashion and lifestyle markets and includes bespoke originals, prints, wallpaper, cushions, ceramic tableware and stationery.

Emma has had successful sell out collections of original works that have been stocked by Liberty of London, the V&A Museum and Somerset House in addition to present at international art fairs and in independent retailers and galleries throughout the UK and Eire.

Emma illustrates for a wide variety of private and commercial clients. She recently collaborated with iconic British brand Radley. Their 2013 A/W range included a capsule range of handbags and accessories illustrated by Emma. Entitled ‘Parklife’ the collection celebrated the quintessential and timelessness British heritage brand. The products were sold internationally and generated critical acclaim.

Over the past 2 years Emma has been awarded a number of prestigious awards for her work including accolades from a number of magazines; Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and House Beautiful. In November 2013 House Beautiful named her illustrated cushions as their gold award winning ‘Best Soft Furnishing’ product.