BEHIND THE DESIGN: RIVER ISLAND x IMOGEN MELISSA

Our latest collaboration is with Imogen Melissa, the popular creative who shines a spotlight on beaded embroidery. Inspired by vivid colours and the intricate beauty of coral reefs, her signature beaded 3D designs are reimagined into vibrant, joy-sparking bags impossible to resist. To celebrate the launch, we sat down with the artist to chat all things embroidery, creativity and the inspiration behind the collection.

Shop Bags & Purses

How did your journey into beaded embroidery begin? Was there a moment you knew this was your thing?

I have always been a craft-obsessed person. As a child, I would save up my pocket money and go bead shopping. I took my love for craft into my education and studied textile design. During my degree, we had an afternoon class on beaded embroidery, where I realised I could combine my two loves: beads and embroidery. From then on, I was totally hooked. Since then, I have built a business where I design kits and run workshops teaching 3D beaded embroidery. The pure delight when someone creates their first 3D beaded piece never gets old to me!

Your work is inspired by coral reefs. What draws you to that world, and how does it show up in your designs?

I studied coral reefs for my degree collection at university after watching David Attenborugh’s Blue Planet, it was my first time seeing these wonderful ecosystems in such detail and was amazed at the colours and textures in our seas. I wanted to translate these in my designs.

What excited you most about collaborating with River Island?

I have built my business by myself, starting it as very much part time and now, finally full time. It’s been an immense amount of hard work and taken a long time. I’m totally thrilled at what I have created. To be recognised by River Island (a household name) and to want to work with me blows my mind! I can’t wait for people to see and feel the beaded embroidery and (hopefully) fall in love with the pieces.

Who do you imagine wearing these pieces?

If you’re off on a summer holiday, these beaded bags need to be in your suitcase! They will look make anything you wear to dinner look good!

What’s your favourite piece from the collection and why?

I love all the bags; the beaded embroidery works so beautifully on them. My favourite one is the blue, Japanese knot style one with the shells. Held against any outfit it looks incredible and I adore the shells within the beading.

What’s something people might not realise about the time, skill, or detail that goes into your work?

All the samples I created for the collection are worked by hand; each bead is stitched on one by one. It’s a very time-consuming process but incredibly enjoyable as you see a piece of fabric transform into a beaded world. I spend hours sourcing the best beads and sequins for the job, and the River Island collection was no different. I wanted to find the perfect shades and tones to really bring the beaded corals to life in the collection.

If you could describe this collaboration in three words, what would they be?

Treasured, Costal, Ornate. ‘Coral-kissed embellishments’ is also a nice phrase!

Do you have any advice for people wanting to give embroidery a go?

Just dive in! Pick yourself up a kit with clear instructions and give it a go or buy a collection of supplies from a local haberdashery (fabric, threads, an embroidery hoop & a needle) and pop on some YouTube tutorials for beginner embroiderers. I promise it’s not tricky, it just takes time. But hopefully you’ll enjoy the mindful benefits of embroidery, I find it a great way to slow my mind down and take me away from my phone for a few hours.