Fresh from her 2008 graduation from The London College of Fashion, Nicola Woods was able to exercise her talents during a spell as a designer for a South African charity. The work she carried out with Tabeisa, an organisation committed to supporting disadvantaged communities across Africa, sparked a determination to set up her own sustainable fashion label and Beautiful Soul became a reality in November 2008.
Beautiful Soul is an eco-aware, luxury womenswear label and has gained recognition for its creative, intelligent and open minded approach to design. Since its inception it has won the Ethical Fashion Forum’s Innovation award, become a finalist at Fashioning the Future 2009 and attracted mass interest from press at London Fashion Week and the Interstoff Asia, Hong Kong.
Nicola believes in the power of fashion to influence trends in a positive way, and Beautiful Soul has grown organically from this premise. The label nurtures its workforce by providing training and motivation within less privileged communities around the UK and the World. With a strong ethical focus, the label ensures that its wearers can confidently embrace the policy of beauty from within.
As a lone player, change is difficult to influence, but individuals acting as a unified force can make change tangible. Nicola aims to share her knowledge and experience with emerging creative talents to garner collective recognition.
“Beautiful Soul is created through intricate and skilful pattern cutting, an intuitive use of colour and texture and a real desire to create pieces that capture beauty to the eye, to the mind and to the soul.” - Dilys Williams, Director for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion.
Comprehending the impact that the fashion industry alone has on our environment is something of an eye opener. We simply do not have the resources to continue as we are.
As an inquisitive person, Nicola maintains that there is far more to fashion than 'just a silhouette'. Delving below the surface and discovering new ways to incorporate responsible and up-cycled materials, adds exclusivity and a spirit of conversation.
Beautiful Soul aims to recycle the most 'scrumptious ingredients' from around the world sympathetically, and has made a name for itself with its unique use of vintage Japanese kimonos. The label does not conform to 'throw away fashion' but instead combines luxurious vintage fabrics with sustainable alternatives. The materials and innovative design combine to give the wearer a truly unique fashion experience.
Silhouettes are considered throughout the design process and a strong emphasis is placed on product longevity, multi function and garment adjustability, offering a versatility determined by our change in body contours. Material remnants feature as fastenings and embellishments, providing a solution to 'zero' waste.
Beautiful Soul’s collections are expertly made in London.
"I design with a compassionate outlook
I love this planet
I want the next generation to enjoy it as I am
I am not perfect
I am not an Eco-warrior
I just care
I am human
I am Nicola Woods
Founder of Beautiful Soul."
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Sharing a thought... It takes 25 bathtubs of water to grow enough cotton to make one t-shirt.  |
