Beshlie Mckelvie, great granddaughter of the influential designer William Shand-Kydd, spent her childhood surrounded by artists, carpenters and gypsies. Rambling workshops were filled with old artifacts bought back from far away places. There were trunks in the attic filled with old textiles from Asia and Central America. As a child Beshlie was fascinated with the stories that surrounded these old cloths with their frayed edges, motives, patterns and smells of exotic places.

Beshlie went on to study fine art at Falmouth College of Arts and specialized in printmaking. From here she traveled extensively through South America and Spain to further her textile and printmaking journey.

Her belief in the importance of projects that support craft traditions and women’s hand work in countries such as India and South America are integral to her way of working. This has hence led to textile based projects with in small co-operatives of artisans. Beshlie works closely with block printers from Rajasthan, the Ngo SEWA, (Self Employed Womens Association.) as well as working with a group of Aymaran weavers from Northern Argentina and Bolivia.

Each garment is hand dyed and hand made, making them individual one off pieces. The dresses are made from soft cottons, silks and georgettes. Each piece is adorned with fine silk thread, appliqué, print and original vintage pieces of embroidery.

Beshlie currently divides her time between London, India and South America.