Beatrice Mayfield specialises in hand embroidered textiles, using a range of traditional embroidery techniques and processes combined with hand print. Intricate areas of stitch, embellishment or raised work provide pattern and texture, often using a tonal colour palette. There is a long tradition within textiles and particularly embroidery of re-appropriation. The ‘good’ part of a garment being cut down and re-used; appliques that can be moved to another garment; changeable collars or cuffs used for ‘best’. Small pieces of decoration that lift a garment, when it is impractical or unaffordable to have the whole piece covered. Her work fits into this history, the wearer can add embellishment where and when they want through her collection of brooches, collars and scarves.
Beatrice also undertakes commissions, offering bespoke work for interiors, fashion, bridalwear and other artists. Collaboration is an important part of her practice, working alongside other designers and technicians to achieve a shared outcome; she is also one third of LOT, a collaborative project with two jewellers. Beatrice trained at Chelsea College of Art, with additional courses at the Royal School of Needlework, CentralStMartins and Hand & Lock.