About
Karen Torrisi has been beading professionally since 1994, opening her own atelier in Sydney in 1994.
Karen's 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. Karen received a Queens Trust Grant for Young Achievers to study Haute Couture Beading and Embroidery in Paris in 1999.
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.
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.
Her creations are internationally known and include commissioned work on Jodhi Packers Party Dress, the gown that 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. As well as embellishing embellished countless high profile society wedding and evening dresses.
Her Film work consists of commissioned work 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.
Her stage work consists of commissioned work for Sunset Boulevard, Chicago, Show Boat, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, The Producers, Spamalot, Wicked, Mary Poppins & Love Never Dies.
Karen now beads exclusively for selected designers & costumiers.