Counting Kate Moss and members of the Royal Family as fans, artist and accessories designer Elizabeth Scarlett Petrides combines joyful design with protecting the natural world

Celebrating milestones

It’s Elizabeth Scarlett’s tenth anniversary this year. There’s one line that I always go back to: “Create what makes your heart sing, and others will hear the music.” I do think I’ve been on this ever-unfolding journey of working myself out, blending a passion for wildlife and art together, then building that into this sustainable business. We’ve switched all of our cottons to organic, and everything we create uses plant-based materials.

Designer Elizabeth Scarlett

Highland hideaways

I’m working on a Scottish-inspired collection for next autumn/winter. We went on this retreat in Sutherland and stayed in a beautiful lodge, in an area where they’re doing some incredible rewilding work. It was a stunning May weekend where the gorse was in full bloom – nature really put on a show. We came away from that convinced we needed to do a Scottish collection.

Wild thing

I’ve always had a fascination with drawing and painting animals. I find a lot of magic in the natural world, and that’s evolved into a strong desire to protect it. Ten years ago, I went on my first safari, because it was my lifelong dream to see an elephant in the wild. Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is so inspiring, and it all ties in with the mission behind our brand.

Wildlife-inspired designs

Everyday style

This year we launched our first crossbody bag, which has gone down really well. It’s essentially the everyday pouch, but with straps added, a little clip for your keys so you’re not fumbling about, and a safety zip at the back for your phone. We’re always thinking about functionality and bringing organised, beautiful joy to people’s lives.

Conservation goals

We’re aiming to raise £2 million by 2030 for wildlife conservation. We think by April next year we’ll have hit the million mark, which is just bonkers. We do it by donating 2% of sales to the different partnerships that we have. We’ve predominantly been working with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, which rescues and rewilds orphan elephants and rhinos, and Blue Marine Foundation, a worldwide marine conservation charity – but we’re constantly bringing on more charity partners.

Crossbody style

Turtle power

I visited Ascension Island earlier this year – a British overseas territory in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, that you get to by flying from an RAF base. Through the sale of our turtle collections, we fund the turtle conservation work on the island. It’s the second largest nesting ground for green sea turtles, so when you go down to the beaches where they’re nesting, it feels quite Jurassic. They’re massive, and they dig these holes you have to dodge. It’s a marine protected area of over 450,000 km², and you really see how nature prevails. 

Find Elizabeth Scarlett at John Lewis, Anthropologie, Fortnum & Mason and elizabethscarlett.com