I hope that you are all smiling?

It has taken a little longer than I thought to get my studio up and running, partly because I relocated both my home and studio to London at the same time! …Wow, soooo many boxes! I also had to spend some time decorating my studio and getting it organised. I am finally feeling more settled and officially opened the doors to Beautiful Soul’s Studio last week. IT IS WONDERFUL!

New Studio

When I started Beautiful Soul I had to turn my bedroom in to my studio and I lived without a bed in favour of storage/work space for well over a year! Starting your own company is made up of sacrifices and to finally display my fabrics on shelves and have my collections on display, is an incredible achievement. I am totally inspired and the demands of the rent will drive me forward. It’s daunting, but I have the energy to make it work.

I am now able to offer Beautiful Soul Bespoke, whereby my clients are invited (by appointment) to visit and select their own vintage Japanese kimono personally, being a true part of the journey of their Beautiful Soul garment. I need this interaction in my work and I have already had a number of visits, which I am very happy about. I might even be making a piece/s for somebody who I have been a huge fan of for many years. It’s very exciting. Please cross you fingers for me!

Beautiful Soul received another order from the V&A and confirmation that they will be stocking our pieces throughout the Autumn (10/11), which is such good news. I am beginning to understand who my customer is and it is extremely reassuring to receive such positive feedback.

I mentioned briefly about Business support programmes in my last Blog and I would highly recommend engaging on one or two; which will help a young business to develop.

The Centre for Sustainable Fashion (London College of Fashion) is an extremely worthwhile programme for ethical business’s to engage, as it allows you to connect with Industry experts and other like minded designers. It is a good way to talk about your struggles and share ideas. I really look forward to my ‘one to one’ sessions; it’s a tonic to discuss your concerns and goals with such dedicated and passionate individuals.

Fashion Capital, the UK’s leading fashion portal, has also been extremely supportive and Beautiful Soul was happy to open the fashion show at the launch of their ‘The Collection’ event last month, at Vendome Mayfair. ‘The Collection’, in association with Edge models promotes up and coming designer talent, providing an opportunity to showcase their collections to a vibrant audience of press, buyers, stylists and fashion conscious clubbers! The Fashion Capital team did a fantastic job and the launch was a huge success.

Beautiful Soul’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection is starting to take shape and I will share more with you as it develops.

Until the next time, back to my pattern cutting!

…Until the next time.

Nicola, Beautiful Soul xxx

To keep up to date with all our news, you can join Beautiful Soul’s Facebook Page.

Rei Coat

It has been a month since writing my last Blog and what a month it has been!

Miss Butterfly-SS10 is now stocked at the V&A, with several pieces proudly on display at the entrance of their gift shop. I am told that the Rei Coats and Satoka Coats are receiving positive feedback and the V&A have re-ordered twice this month, which is fantastic news and such an achievement.

I have made a bespoke piece (personally) for Lily Cole (made from a gorgeous deep purple vintage kimono) and Beautiful Soul has relocated to a London based studio, overlooking the fabulous Portobello Road. This is the perfect location for our clients to come and visit and select their own Japanese vintage kimono personally; contributing to the journey of their Beautiful Soul garment.  Strictly by appointment only. Please contact: info@beautiful-soul.co.uk.

In addition Beautiful Soul is taking part in a collaboration with Think.Act.Vote - designing a show piece that will be hand delivered to No.10 Downing Street, as part of the campaign and appear on a number of catwalks including UK Aware, Alternative Fashion Week and “The Future I Choose”, Think Act Vote party.

Any new fashion label will tell you the same thing; the pace of the fashion industry is incredibly fast and it is a constant juggling act. If you are a new label reading this blog, please do not panic or be too hard on yourself. Stay focused, work hard and keep your feet firmly on the ground. You can achieve your goals if you believe in them.

Satoka Coat

To give you an example, this time last year I was visiting London Fashion Week (February 2009) for the first time in my life. I can safely say, the juggling act does get easier and the hard work does start to pay off.

Having exhibited at London Fashion Week (Estethica) successfully for the last two seasons, I am beginning to find my feet. I am absorbing as much as I can, from every experience, in order to evolve and build a strong foundation for Beautiful Soul.

It is incredibly daunting at times, as if like me, you are funding everything yourself, it takes courage and conviction to keep going. The Fashion Industry is extremely complex and running a fashion label is not just about making a pretty design. Going about it with a compassionate outlook adds to the challenge, and fuels my determination.

Building your brand and understanding your position in the market is incredibly important and this takes time.

The best advice that I can give to any designer who is looking to set up a fashion label, is that you have really got to ‘want it’. Starting out is extremely demanding on your time and it takes dedication.

Building contacts plays a fundamental part of your growth and making mistakes is a good thing; if you are able to use the experience constructively.

Back in November 2008, when I decided to set up Beautiful Soul, I had very little experience of the fashion industry, and was working out of my bedroom, on my own. It became apparent that I needed to engage on some business programmes, as I needed to talk about my ideas. There are some fantastic business programmes available to start ups and I will share details with you over the coming months.

Being an ethical fashion label, I made contact with the Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF). I made a point of taking time out of my hectic schedule and actively engaged on their seminars. I would leave the Rich Mix, London, E1 6LA, the home of the EFF with a spring in my step. Working alone can be lonely and to spend time with like mined individuals was a blessing.  It fueled my imagination and gave me confidence.  It was a release.

In February 2009, Beautiful Soul won the Ethical Fashion Forum’s Innovation award and received business support from the dedicated team and industry experts.

During this time, I met a wonderful designer; Christopher Raeburn. Christopher has been an inspiration of mine for some time.  When I decided to give up my career (Insurance Broker for 11 years) and return to University to follow my dreams of becoming a fashion designer, I religiously watched Project Catwalk. I had come from an office environment and although I have always been creative, I was exploring and nurturing my method of translation. Christopher was one of the contestants on the show and I watched him create his masterpieces week after week. I still think he was the obvious winner, but I am actually glad that he didn’t win. I believe it is Christopher’s time now; he is ready, focused and is up to the challenge.

The Innovation programme also introduced me to a number of talented and passionate designers, including Julia Smith, Mia and Sika.  We are fighting the same battle, from the same corner, but we are just going about it in our own unique ways.

I would recommend joining the Ethical Fashion Forums Social Network, as it is free and is a fantastic way to build your contacts, knowledge of sustainable fashion and encourage the growth of your business. The Ethical Fashion Forum has definitely contributed to the progression and growth of Beautiful Soul and I am sincerely grateful.

I had better wrap up now, as I have boxes to unpack at my new studio!

I am incredibly happy that I am no longer working from my bedroom (alone) and I can finally offer work placements and pass on some of my energy.  For more information, please contact: info@beautiful-soul.co.uk.

…Until the next time.

Nicola, Beautiful Soul xxx

To keep up to date with all our news, you can join Beautiful Soul’s Facebook Page.

As an emerging British Fashion Designer, I am happy to give an insight in to the world of Beautiful Soul and the journey of a new fashion label; designing and tackling issues with a compassionate outlook.

A brief introduction: I remember writing to ‘Jim’ll fix it’ to make me a fashion designer, but life has twists and turns and I found myself caught up in the rat race. The lifestyle it provided seemed to outweigh my lack of passion for my work (Insurance Broking). Something was missing, but I didn’t know how I would cope without the next pay rise. I was stuck in a rut and the security of payday seemed to mist the way. How could I possibly cope without my luxuries?

I had the opportunity to backpack around the world with my best friend and breaking away from the rat race for the first time in my adult life, gave me an insight in to living on a budget. I was starting to see life in a different light, with endless opportunities.

Whilst in Tokyo, something happened to me. I was surrounded by the most amazing boutiques. I was like a child in a sweet shop. Mesmerised. Excited. Totally Inspired. Something inside me quite literally *came to life*. (Hence my love of vintage kimonos).

I realised that I needed to make radical changes: I accepted that everything else would have to be put on hold. I needed the opportunity and guidance to follow my dreams of becoming a fashion designer. I had buried these dreams for too long. I was determined to make this happen. I had found my calling.

…I haven’t looked back since.

I graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2008, with a BA (Hons) in Fashion: Design and Technology (Creative Pattern Cutter). During my final year, I was involved in a project based around ‘saving the earth’. I was hooked. Fashion with a TRUE meaning, for me, is the only way forward. It makes sense and it adds to my determination.

Things are moving in the right direction and our Spring Summer collection, Miss Butterfly, is now available to buy at the V&A (London) and Beautiful Soul’s Online Boutique.

It is very early days for Beautiful Soul, but I thrive on challenge and I am extremely driven by my ethos.

Since starting out, I have learnt that there are no rights or wrongs in ethical fashion. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself, keep an open mind and offer transparency. I am at my happiest when I am sharing with others and I believe that this is the most effective way of pushing responsible fashion in to the mainstream. I am proud to be part of such a positive movement.

I get very little time to answer personal emails, but my aim is to share useful information and contacts with you throughout my website. Please do join Beautiful Soul on Facebook!

…Until the next time, have fun!

Nicola, Beautiful Soul xxx

Being part of Estethica was such a *fabulous* experience and I have a husky voice from talking so much!!!

It was a pleasure to be surrounded by like minded people, who are clearly as passionate as I am, about driving ‘responsible’ fashion forward. I felt at home and at ease; there wasn’t a sign of the *bitchy, sweetie darling*, that is often associated with the fashion industry.

Estethica is a team, a family; who look out for one another and who ultimately share the same visions, of making ‘ethical fashion’ mainstream. What compassionate person wouldn’t care about the harm we are inflicting on our planet and/or the people who are contributing to our businesses?

I think this season is more about the press for ‘Beautiful Soul’, but I have gained one stockist and am in negotiations with a boutique in New York and several others, so I am really really really excited!

Fame and fortunate do nothing for me, but  if I can raise my brand identity so it enables me to inspire new designers to be responsible, raise awareness and involve myself in some very worthy projects, I will be *very* content.

A ‘BIG’ thank you to my dear family and friends for their support and encouragement and to everybody at Estethica for making my debut so relaxed and memorable. Here’s wishing you all every success.

Nicola xxx

Website Design/Art Direction ( Look Books etc):
Matthew Hicks – 321 Collective – www.321collective.com

Photography:
James Davis – 321 Collective – www.321collective.com

Stylist:
Io Takemura – www.iotakemura.com

Hair/Make-up:
Lauren Hicks – www.allseeingi.com/art

Model:
Danielle Foster

Thank you all ‘so’ much for putting up with me; I couldn’t have asked for a better team!

Much love,

Nicola xxx

My family and friends will tell you; I am very passionate about what I am doing, having returned to university at a later stage in life to follow my dreams of becoming a fashion designer.

I hope to share an idea and drive ‘responsible’ fashion forward.

What many designers fail to realise, is this huge gap in the market, a gap that is crying out for radical, directional designs. The real challenge and the fuel for an inquisitive mind, is to find solutions and incorporate a meaningful concoction of ingredients, adding true value to every piece. From fabric choice, to product longevity, to looking out for the individuals who have contributed to every garment… I could go on forever!

Personally, I feel that we are armed with such an influential tool and if we use it well, we can make a positive difference. I am just a normal, open minded individual and hold my hands up to leaving the tap running at times and getting the recycling bins confused, but I am prepared to learn and I am always willing to try. If I can inspire other designers to take a more thoughtful approach to design and running a fashion label, I will be very *happy*. Innovation and compassion are key.

Back to my pattern cutting/designs now, Spring/Summer 2010, is really starting to take shape, and I can really see Florence (…from Florence and the Machine) and Sophie Ellis Bextor wearing most of the pieces! I will be showing ‘Miss Butterfly’, at Estethica, London Fashion Week in September 2009, I am very excited and its certainly an achievement. This time last year I had just graduated from the LCF and I was out in South Africa designing for a charity…’Beautiful Soul’ was just a ‘thought’ in my head. …The hard work is starting to pay off.

…Until the next time,

Nicola xxx