Passion Lilie x Beatrix Bell: A Chic Collective
Designers Beatrix Bell and Katie Schmidt (l to r) at the opening of their French Quarter shop, November 2022. Courtesy BBPL
November Two visionary designers, Katie Schmidt and Beatrix Bell, offer handmade, sustainable, fair trade goods on an artful block of Chartres Street.
-by Hallet Graham
In a quiet shop on Chartres Street, two designers have joined together to share their crafts with one of the liveliest corners of the world. One step through the imposing wooden doors greets visitors with subtle, calming scents of soaps and candles crafted by local makers.
Muted sounds of corner buskers, cathedral bells, and celebratory first lines drift through 1000 square feet of handmade garments and jewelry; fair trade handbags, windchimes, and teas; art, bath products, and gifts. The shop is bright and airy, with racks of beautiful handwoven clothing swaying gently from the ceiling. The sensory experience is a respite from the bustling streets of the French Quarter streets just a stone’s throw from Jackson Square.
The 800 block of Chartres Street, filled with local art galleries and shops. Facing the cathedral, Passion Lilie & Beatrix Bell is to the right. Photo by Ellis Anderson
Passion Lilie x Beatrix Bell Collective opened its doors in November 2022, bringing a long-term dream to fruition. Katie Schmidt, the creative force behind the eco-friendly clothing brand Passion Lilie, and Beatrix Bell, renowned for her eponymous handmade jewelry line, are the dynamic duo behind this venture. Their friendship blossomed during encounters at local festivals where they both showcased their products. Opening a shop together became a great “what if” – one that finances and timing never could quite make possible.
If one positive emerged from the pandemic, it was that a commercial space became available in the French Quarter just as business slowed down enough for both creators to devote time to another endeavor. The stars aligned, and Passion Lilie x Beatrix Bell Collective was born.
A dress design by Katie
Sterling silver earring designs by Beatrix
October 2023 marked an important milestone for Katie: Passion Lilie celebrated ten years in business. Katie was just 7 years old when she fell in love with sewing, later pursuing a degree in costume design at the University of California, Irvine and in 2010, a master’s in Luxury and Fashion Management in France.
It was a 2012 visit to India that inspired Katie to create clothing that was beautiful, affordable, and sustainable. She believes that clothing should uplift communities, never harm them. Passion Lilie products are fair trade and eco-friendly, and Katie is continuously thinking of ways to become even more sustainable.
One of the most important aspects of owning a sustainable business is transparency. Katie is committed to communicating openly about every aspect of production starting with the farm where Passion Lilie’s organic cotton is grown and continuing throughout the supply chain until products arrive in the French Quarter shop or on a customer’s front porch.
Pockets are a feature on many Passion Lilie designs
Passion Lilie’s shirts for men are extremely popular.
In Passion Lilie’s French Quarter storefront, you’ll find colorful, hand-woven and hand-block printed designs for all bodies and styles. Each piece is made by artisans in India who are guaranteed living wages, safe work environments, and opportunities for growth. Visitors can shop guilt-free, knowing their clothes were made with natural materials like organic cotton, and azo-free or natural dyes.
Katie found a kindred spirit in Beatrix, who started her handcrafted jewelry business in a booth next to a pecan stand in south Louisiana. Beatrix’ pieces are now sold in more than 200 stores across the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia – including her own storefronts in Algiers Point and the French Quarter.
Of the hundreds of meticulously crafted accessories in her shop, there’s one item visitors can’t get enough of – Beatrix’ vintage Mardi Gras bead bracelets. Each set of bracelets is made of glass beads repurposed from authentic 1940-1950s Mardi Gras throws. Locals and tourists alike love the chance to take home a little bit of New Orleans history.
Beatrix is the mastermind behind another pandemic success story, Algiers Point Oyster Co. Getting creative during the long days of social distancing, Beatrix went foraging for discarded oyster shells behind local restaurants and discovered she could transform them into beautiful ornaments with a few supplies she had on hand. Now Beatrix’ oysters adorn the French Quarter shop and make perfect souvenirs and gifts.
Beatrix’s oyster ornaments
Beatrix offers several distinctive lines of jewelry
When Katie and Beatrix decided to merge their businesses, they saw an opportunity to provide a platform for other New Orleans creators and sustainable brands they love. A few customer favorites include Bayou Soaps made by a local Grammy-award-winning artist, Mad Darling candles, notecards designed by Walking Man Studios, and handmade Voodoo dolls. The space is thoughtfully curated to offer gifts and products shoppers can feel good about.
Passion Lilie X Beatrix Bell
831 Chartres Street
New Orleans
Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs: 11am - 5pm
Fri, Sat: 11am - 6pm
Shop online at Passion Lilie and Beatrix Bell.
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