British Library x Lele Sadoughi

From Storybook Treasures to Wearable Art

The Brief

American fashion accessory brand Lele Sadoughi wanted to create a distinctive accessories collection inspired by historic fairy-tale books and illustrations, transforming the magic of classic storytelling into contemporary fashion.

ARTiSTORY's Role

ARTiSTORY developed a curated artifact library drawn from the British Library’s extensive fairy-tale collections, including different editions, illustration styles, characters, and narrative scenes. We supported artifact selection, creative interpretation, product storytelling, rights clearance, and approvals from concept through production.

The Collection

Launched in October 2025, the 5-SKU capsule collection transformed illustrations from early editions of The New Wizard of Oz, The Nursery Alice, and The Sleeping Beauty into jewelry, embellished hair accessories, and collectible book clutches.

The Outcome

The collaboration brought rare literary and illustrative treasures into contemporary fashion, giving consumers a new way to experience familiar stories while extending Lele Sadoughi’s signature maximalist design language into culturally rich, story-led products.

Featured Literary Collections

The British Library - Literary Heritage Guardian

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world's largest libraries, housing over 170 million items including manuscripts, books, and historical documents. Its collections span centuries of human knowledge and creativity, preserving literary treasures for future generations. This collaboration brings the Library's extensive archival illustrations and literary heritage to contemporary luxury fashion, making classic literature accessible through beautifully crafted accessories that celebrate the enduring power of storytelling.

The New Wizard of Oz Illustrations

Early 20th Century Featured on: Signature Headband Collection Whimsical illustrations from the classic tale featuring emerald city motifs, yellow brick road elements, and beloved characters. These vintage storybook illustrations inspire Lele Sadoughi's signature headbands with their magical and adventurous spirit, bringing literary wonder to luxury fashion.

The Nursery Alice Victorian Illustrations

Victorian Era Featured on: Literary Accessories Collection Delicate Victorian-era illustrations from Lewis Carroll's beloved Alice stories, featuring playing card motifs, tea party elements, and whimsical characters. These timeless designs inspire elegant accessories that capture the charm and sophistication of classic children's literature.

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