The story behind Traceless Designs
The story behind Traceless Designs
It all started in 2017, in a little student room, where a creative mind found a way to blend its handmade creations with its passion for sustainability.
Today, Traceless Designs has evolved into a creative studio based on Porthmellon, Isles of Scilly, and all around the world.
It all started in 2017, in a little student room, where a creative mind found a way to blend its handmade creations with its passion for sustainability.
Today, Traceless Designs has evolved into a creative studio based on Porthmellon, Isles of Scilly, and all around the world.
How it started & The mission
Traceless Designs was founded by Maisie in 2017, out of her love for handmade creations and her passion for sustainability.
A strong believer that the only traces we should leave behind are footprints, she wanted to share her vision for an alternative lifestyle with others, using her creativity to do good while making them feel like their happiest selves when using or wearing her products.
Her first items were reusable, naturally dyed cotton cutlery wraps, sold at markets and to friends and family. It grew and grew, moving to home items and clothing, and has now become more than just a sustainable brand, but a whole way of life that promotes living fully without leaving a trace.
The creative soul behind the brand
Maisie grew up in the Yorkshire Dales but has always felt close to the ocean; the coasts always feeling more like home. She used to visit the Isles of Scilly with her family every summer as a child and continued to do so until 2017, when she decided to move there permanently, making it the home base of Traceless Designs.
Her love for the ocean, the sun, and nature has always been a source of great inspiration, and the center of the products she makes. She always hoped for Traceless to be a reminder of the feeling one gets from being close to the ocean, the happiness felt after watching a good sunset, and the memories made with loved ones in a safe place.
Maisie’s second love is undeniably travelling around the world, discovering the beauties it has to offer. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Thailand, Australia, Sri Lanka, El Camino de Santiago… Her months-long travels have shaped the person she is today, and by extension, have had a big influence on her vision for Traceless Designs. The privilege of travelling the world while doing what she loves most is something she has worked towards for a decade and never takes for granted, always bringing back a piece of her travels to Traceless Designs, whether through new designs, new products or new concepts.
traceless designs today
After a few years spent at the Phoenix Craft Studio, where the brand evolved and grew alongside other island artists, Traceless Designs moved in 2025 and is now based in its very own studio on Porthmellon Beach, where Maisie designs and produces all her items.
In the summer, the studio turns into a vibrant, lively shop where visitors can come and have a look, purchase the products, and meet Maisie herself. In the winter times, when the island goes quiet, cold and wet, the studio turns into a creative den where the magic for the next season happens, whether it is hand-printing new garments (mainly), creative beautiful jewellery or coming up with brand new joyful designs.
This is a testament to how much Traceless has grown and continues to grow, thanks to the unwavering support received from customers.
A word from Maisie
Being the proud founder, designer and maker of Traceless Designs is a privilege that is hard to put into words. Owning a small (I still see it as such) business is not easy, and it is definitely not always a smooth sailing. I have encountered countless hardships on this special adventure, some I didn’t think I’d be able to overcome.
But years later, Traceless Designs is still here, still growing, and I’m still here, learning something new every day, and making mistakes along the way. When I sit on the beach watching the sunset, wherever I am in the world, I often catch myself thinking about how far we’ve come and how far I still want to go, and how I wouldn’t have it any other way (except when I’m 16 hours deep into mass-printing a collection during peak winter times).
Since 2017, Traceless has been the center of my inspiration, hard work, and commitment. It has evolved and grown alongside me and all the amazing people who have helped lay the foundations for what it is today. I couldn’t be more thankful for this incredible adventure. So thank you to my family, friends, customers, visitors, and strangers who have all played a part in allowing me to live my dream.
If you ever find yourself on Scilly, I’d happily welcome you into the studio to check out the products or for a chat.
See you soon,
Maisie.