As an experienced designer and production manager, I have a demonstrated history of working in the design industry; managing design departments for luxury fashion brands, swatch studios & textile ateliers.

I am currently working at the world renowned embroidery atelier Hand & Lock London, as the Production & Creative Manager.

Skilled within textile design, I specialise in both digital machine embroidery as well as couture level hand embellishment, beading & goldwork design.

I have developed and maintained strong relationships with overseas suppliers in the UK, India, China, Portugal & the US; coordinating and managing the embroidery design, development, logistics, shipping and finish of garments & accessories with international factories, ensuring the highest standards of finish are consistently met.

I have had the opportunity to visit India & Portugal on a number of occasions to develop my designs side by side with the skilled artisans. These were truly enriching experiences.

I am an experienced public speaker, having given regular talks and guest lectures throughout my career thus far at universities & charity organisations around the UK. I have delivered remote talks at institutions including The Royal School of Needlework, The University of Central Lancaster and Bolton University and in late 2020, I completed a stint as a HPL at the University of East London. I believe strongly in supporting young creative people and encouraging positive experiences for students in the design industry, and I have really enjoyed the process of recruiting, training and mentoring interns in my industry roles. I have recently campaigned for and developed the ‘Hand & Lock Training Programme’ which will be our first paid internship scheme, launching in Jan 2025.

I am also a big supporter & collaborator of the registered charity, ‘The Nottingham Young Creative Awards’. Having won the YCA award for Fashion & Textiles myself back in 2018, I have gone on to run in person workshops and talks, as well as judge the awards myself. Each year I organise an ‘experience day’ for 1 winner or runner up of the YCA Fashion & Textiles category at the Hand & Lock studios.

As someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, I am always interested in making new connections and discussing possibilities for collaborative projects and guest lecturing/ speaking.

I am also continuing to offer ad-hoc online zoom sessions aimed at embroidery & textile students to offer my help & advice on digital portfolio creation. For more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Liss x