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Karen
Torrisi has been beading professionally since 1994. Her
formal training began in Sydney Australia in the Fashion
Industry. She also pursued the specialised study of beading
and embroidery in Australia, with the late beading author
Maisie Jarratt, in London and with the beading school,
Ecole D' Broderie d'art Lesage in Paris.
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She
received a Queens Trust Grant for Young Achievers to study
Haute Couture Beading and Embroidery in Paris in 1999.
Her creations are internationally known and include commissioned work on the
Gown that Jodhi Packers Party Dress, Olivia Newton John wore at the Opening Ceremony
of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Singer Delta Goodram's
dress at the 2004 Aria awards & 2005 World Music Awards: commissioned work on
costumes for the films Moulin Rouge, Dark City, Peter Pan, Star Wars II Attack
of the Clones Star Wars III, Revenge of the Sith & Superman 2006.
And commissioned work for the stage shows: Sunset Boulevard, Chicago, Show Boat,
My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, The Lion King,
The Producers and Spamalot.
Her beading has also embellished countless high profile society wedding and evening
dresses. |
She
opened her own atelier in Sydney in 1994 beginning with just
herself. Her atelier soon grew to employ many beaders.
Karen began teaching and training her staff and currently
teaches other enthusiasts the skills of hand beading. Her
bead embroidery projects feature in such magazines as Inspirations,
Australian Country Craft, Embroidery & Cross Stitch & Beads
Etc, Karen also exhibits and sells beaded textile art.
She is the author of the book "The Art of Making Hand Beaded Bags" Like a painter
filling a canvas, Karen loves seeing her ideas become a reality beneath her needle.
She enthuses "I love to use colours in my work and the fact that with beaded
embroidery you begin with a clear palette and you finish with something that
is sparkly, textured and alive, and visually delicious." Karen now beads exclusively
for selected designers & costumiers. |
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