Why these three Elizabeth Scarlett bags are the most useful things in my everyday life

If you don’t know Elizabeth Scarlett yet, it’s a British brand whose beautifully embroidered travel pouches, wash bags, makeup bags and totes I’ve been noticing for years.

I see the distinctive palm tree, lemon, honey bee and personalised floral designs peeking brightly from handbags or being used as uplifting little evening or day bags, and I’ve spied the makeup and wash bags in airports and gym changing rooms. This week, there’s a beautiful new collection of matching pieces inspired by Provence to enjoy, too.

Despite owning some Elizabeth Scarlett pieces, until a couple of weeks ago I didn’t know the full story behind this brand, and now that I do, I want to tell as many people as possible.

Elizabeth Scarlett – yes, that’s her name! – started the business from her kitchen table in 2015 after leaving Central Saint Martins school of art. She turned her talent for painting and her love of animals and conservation into what was, at first, a small business selling embroidered organic cotton and velvet accessories, from coin purses to tote bags and sleep masks, all featuring embroidered animals and nature motifs.

Offering a £30 zippered hand-held pouch when designer versions were £300 was the genius touch, and almost instantly her pretty hand-crafted bags became affordable fashion hits, as well as crowd-pleasing gifting items. Ten years on, the pouch remains an affordable £34.

Later, Elizabeth offered personalisation, with names or initials, and began to create bags highlighting endangered animals, with 2% of annual sales going to wildlife conservation. Today, Elizabeth Scarlett Petrides runs her growing business with her husband, Alex Petrides, juggling caring for their two young children with managing more than 1,000 stockists in 15 countries. Her guiding principle? ‘I believe it’s not just possible but necessary to honour and protect all that makes our planet beautiful.’

Hers is a true British success story, showing that it’s possible to grow a strong sustainable business while raising a family and giving back to the planet – making Elizabeth herself something of a Good Housekeeping hero.

To give you an idea of just how successful this brand has become, by 2024 Elizabeth Scarlett had donated £680,000 to wildlife charities – yes, that means what started at a kitchen table has so sold many million of pounds worth of bags.

Now, for these joyful little objects! My beloved Elizabeth Scarlett bags are from the Sun Goddess range – an orange makeup bag, pouch and wash bag embroidered with blazing suns, which I use every single day. When I do, my mood improves, not just because they’re cute, but because they’re sturdy and do the job they’re intended for. From the brand-new range, the mood-boosting Doves of Peace and Provençal Bee designs are sure to join the Sun Goddess as coveted pieces.

Uplifting, affordable, good for the planet, kind to animals and very, very practical – now all you have to decide is which design speaks most to you. If you start with one item, make it the everyday pouch – the best are shared below – or choose a matching set that works for you at home, for travelling or gifting to loved ones.