Designer and artist Elizabeth Sutton is known for making a statement with her vibrant works and accessories. We asked the social media and style star to share her story—and her holiday hit list.
Elizabeth Sutton, founder of Elizabeth Sutton Collection
What inspired you to launch your business and enter the art world?
My career began as a result of true desperation. I had no business experience and I had never painted before in my life. The story behind the birth of my glittery and colorful art and design world is actually a very sad one. I experienced so many severe losses within a two-year period—real, real loss. Financial loss, miscarriage, divorce with a 3-week-old and 2-year-old, the death of two of my best friends at very young ages (one of whom was killed in my car leaving my birthday party). It was too much to bear. It brought me to the lowest of lows you can imagine for a living human. The key to success in life is resilience. My resilience and my need to provide for my children and to get my life to a better place gave me my perspective and my hustle, and it drove me to have a career in the arts. It gave me a desire to surround myself with beautiful and colorful creations and messages to lift up my spirits in order to survive emotionally (and financially). My career began as a happy accident, sent from God.
Did you feel there was a void in the market?
My art career began on Instagram. I think the void in that market was the lack of genuine voices on social media. Voices that keep it real—that don’t only show the glamorous but that show real life, so that other people can actually relate. The good, the bad and the ugly. I think people appreciated that about me when I first began my career. I never try to be someone I’m not, and I don’t pretend that life is all rainbows and butterflies. I do think there is a void in the market for fearless and independent, single-mom entrepreneurs, and it’s not surprising because it is a fairly insane path to take. Call me crazy, because I am, but it is my mission to teach young leaders to pursue their dreams and to be fearless in the mind. In regard to my craft—there are a lot of artists and designers out there. If I know one thing about myself, it is that I am excellent at what I do. I say that with gratitude and humility as it all comes from God. As I mentioned, I am a self-taught artist with no formal training. I am a very prolific designer—I can design any product and any category in alignment with the goals of the project, whereas most designers and artists specialize in one domain. I think this is where I shine.
Elizabeth Sutton surrounded by her vibrant works in her newly reimagined NYC headquarters on Sutton Place and 57th Street
How would you describe your aesthetic?
My aesthetic is vivacious, bold and energetic. I am a colorist—though people oft en associate my work with bright colors, I am actually an expert with all color palettes, from neutrals to pastels to bolds. I personally have a very colorful home because color makes me happy, but for many people, neutrals make them feel most comfortable. It’s about delivering to my client what they want so they can be happy in their space. I focus on every single minute detail when it comes to creating a design—composition, scale, texture, balance and color are paramount.
What is up next?
My company recently moved our headquarters back from Miami to a beautiful townhome right in the heart of New York City, on Sutton Place. The house is an explosion of the creativity that lives in my brain and is truly a design experience from the moment you enter until the moment you leave. It is my largest canvas to date, and it took tireless work to get it done. We just launched some amazing new products with the launch of our new HQ in collaboration with incredible brands. Wallpaper with Sur La Mur, furniture with Galaxy Glass & Stone, linens and towels with Mehlrose NY, drapes and shades with NV Window Treatments, and lighting with NSA Lighting. We will soon be launching my dream collection, a tabletop collection, with Cebo Decor. I have my fift h tile collection launching with Tilebar and a new collection with Sprayground. We will also be working with the Eden Rock St. Barths for the third consecutive year, designing exclusive product for their boutique. Lots more on the horizon from Elizabeth Sutton Collection. The NYC hustle is back.
HOLIDAY HOST GIFT
My disposable place mats, as they add gorgeous color to any holiday table and are affordably priced. I’m also a sucker for a good candle because I love scents. I love the ones from L’or de Seraphine because they not only smell delicious but they’re like little pieces of art.
HOLIDAY ACCESSORY
My clutches, of course. My sparkly clutches are perfect for any holiday outfit during party season. I even have a clutch inspired by Christmas colors, and lots of other options that match year-round.
FAVORITE NYC HOLIDAY ATTRACTION OR EVENT
My favorite exhibition that I took my kids to was LuminoCity. It was so incredible—perfect for kids or a date night. I also love the annual Holiday Train Show at the Botanical Garden. I take my kids every year.
SPOT FOR COCKTAILS IN NYC
I love the Mark Hotel, because I’m 32 going on 65 in my head. I need some young, cool friends who will show me the best hot spots right now.
RESTAURANT FOR A BITE
I’m a sushi addict, and my favorites are Sushi of Gari and Ishikawa—but both are splurges and are about the delicious food, not necessarily the ambiance. My go-tos for ambiance and food are Bar Pitti and Bond St, NYC staples.
UNIFORM OR OUTFIT
These days, I’ve been buying a ton from BlankNYC. I like to be casual and comfortable during the day but often need to head straight into my evening without changing. Their collection is comfortable and very affordable, and I can take the looks from day to night. I love Zimmermann, but only for serious splurge special occasions. I wish I could afford their whole collection. For athleisure, I live in Aviator Nation. For unique holiday outfits, I love Nadine Merabi—super chic and sparkly.
CHERISHED ACCESSORY
My reversible butterfly belt. It literally matches every single outfit, from jeans to a suit to any dress or skirt that needs to get belted, and you get two-for-one value with the reversible strap.
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH
Sushi. Candy. Art. Music. Snuggles from my kids.
WORKOUT
Barry’s Bootcamp and Rumble
MUSEUM
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Whitney
SHOES
Aquazzura for fancy and Adidas and Nike for sneakers. I live in sneakers.
SKINCARE ESSENTIAL
Sisley products. My friend recently got me hooked, and it’s a big problem because their products are so expensive. I guess you get what you pay for…
SIGNATURE SCENT
Tom Ford Lost Cherry
LIPSTICK OR OTHER HOLIDAY BEAUTY ESSENTIAL
NutraLuxe Lash MD, but you better start using it a few months before the holidays if you want to see results by the holidays.
CURRENT OBSESSION
Getting my new headquarters finished to perfection so that I can finally share the potential of my creativity with the world.
Photography by: PORTRAITS BY JULIAN OSORIO
