EMMA COWLAM

Emma Cowlam is a London-based artist celebrated for her unique thread fashion illustrations and luxury silk designs. She studied at Wimbledon School of Art and Chelsea School of Art, completing a BA in Textile Design, with a formative exchange year at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where she fell in love with fashion illustration. While at art school, Emma gained hands-on experience with leading brands like Designers Guild, Alberta Ferretti, and Cath Kidston.

After graduating in 2009, she took on diverse freelance roles across editorial styling and trend forecasting, eventually launching her own studio and building a reputation for distinctive, hand-stitched artwork and illustrations. Her original pieces were exhibited in galleries and featured in publications such as Elle Decoration, Living Etc, Glamour, and Style Bubble. She received the University of the Arts London Best Graduate Award and sold out collections at the V&A Museum and Liberty of London.

Emma collaborated with British handbag brand Radley, creating a range of illustrations for a new accessories collection. She also illustrated award-winning soft furnishings and custom artwork for the Trafalgar St James hotel. In 2019, she joined Fox & Chave, returning to textile roots and gaining deep insight into luxury silk production.

Out of this experience, she co-founded Just Add Style, a silk accessories label fusing her passion for illustration with co-founder Lisa Kew’s bold print design. The brand has grown steadily, worn by fashion influencers and figures like Dame Karen Pierce, and proudly supports the charity Suited and Booted with every sale.