Hand-Painted Garments

Hand-painted couture by artist Holly Biörklund: one-of-a-kind dresses, gowns and tailoring, designed, made and painted freehand.

Holly paints directly onto fabric with a fine brush, turning a garment into a wearable artwork: jewels and pearls painted where a necklace would sit, peacock feathers sweeping over a shoulder, flowers and mythical creatures trailing down a skirt. No two pieces are ever the same.

Ivory silk dress hand-painted by Holly Biörklund with a blue and gold peacock across one shoulder and a painted jewelled necklace and belt

Worn and Stocked Around the World

Holly's painted garments have been worn by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Justine Koons, and commissioned by members of a Middle Eastern royal family. Her limited-edition collections have been stocked by Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods, Browns and Capitol.

Her best-known piece is the emerald silk gown worn by Samantha Boardman to the Met Costume Institute Gala in 2015. Read the story of the Met Gala gown.

Full-length white silk gown hand-painted by Holly Biörklund with painted jewels down the front and a golden fish and cherub on the skirt

How a Garment Commission Works

  1. Consultation. Tell Holly about the occasion, the garment and the feeling you'd like. She can design and make a new garment from scratch, or paint a piece you already own.
  2. Design. Holly draws the design by hand, so you can see it before any paint touches the fabric.
  3. Painting. Holly paints the garment freehand in her Stockholm studio. Each commission takes around one month.

Commissions start from €5,000, depending on the garment and the detail. Holly works by appointment and takes on only a handful of garment commissions each year, so slots are very limited.

To get started, send the occasion and date, whether you'd like a new garment or one you already own painted, your size, and any images that inspire you.

Magenta silk dress hand-painted by Holly Biörklund with a painted pink orchid, emerald jewels and pearl cuffs

Black silk suit hand-painted by Holly Biörklund with cascading painted pearls, turquoise jewels and a violet ribbon

From Central Saint Martins to the Met Gala

Holly's freehand-painted collection began as her graduate work at Central Saint Martins in London. It was covered by Style Bubble and Trendland, published under the name Holly Fowler, and later led to a print collaboration with Zadig & Voltaire. See all her coverage on the Press page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a hand-painted dress cost?

Garment commissions start from €5,000. The final price depends on the garment, its size and the amount of painted detail.

How long does a commission take?

Around one month from the agreed design, so get in touch early if you have a date in mind.

Can Holly paint a garment I already own?

Often, yes. Any fabric with some structure works well. Send a photo and the fabric details with your enquiry.

Can Holly design and make the garment too?

Yes. Holly can design and make a dress, gown or suit from scratch, then paint it, so the whole piece is hers from the first sketch.

Do you take commissions for weddings and events?

Yes, including wedding dresses and gowns for galas. Holly painted her own wedding dress, as Vogue Scandinavia reported.

Looking for something for the home? See Holly's mural commissions and work for hotels and brands, or download the commissions portfolio (PDF).

To book a consultation, email commissions@atelierholly.com.

Start a commission

Tell Holly a little about your project and she will reply personally. You can also email commissions@atelierholly.com.

Your details are only used to reply to your enquiry. See our privacy policy.