Profiling Business
Beautiful Soul
Beautiful Soul is an eco-aware, luxury womens and menswear label. Pieces have a ‘timeless factor,’ with the idea that they attract people of all ages, and allow wearers to confidently embrace the concept of ‘beauty from within.’ The label does not conform to ‘throwaway fashion.’ Silhouettes are considered throughout the design process and a strong emphasis is placed on product longevity, multi-function and garment adjustability, offering versatility determined by our change in body contours.
Beautiful Soul aims to source and recycle the most exquisite fabrics from around the globe, and has made a name for itself with its unique use of vintage Japanese kimonos, which are upcycled into expertly tailored garments. Material remnants feature as fastenings and embellishments, adhering to the policy of zero-waste whereby every last thread of fabric is used in the creative process. Manufacturing and production is London based, and the label nurtures its workforce by providing training within less privileged communities.
Nicola Woods, the founder and designer of Beautiful Soul is a graduate of the London College of Fashion, and was short-listed for the Hospital Club 100 Award 2010 in association with the Independent Newspaper. The label won the Ethical Fashion Forum’s INNOVATION Award in 2009, and was a finalist at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion’s Fashioning the Future Awards 2009. The work Nicola carried out as a designer for the South African charity Tabeisa- which supports disadvantaged communities across Africa- sparked her determination to set up her own sustainable fashion label. Nicola maintains “Fashion with a true meaning is the only way forward”.
The Autumn/Winter 2011 collection entitled ‘Painting by Numbers’ takes us on a journey through an English country garden, exploring the eternal appeal of English tradition and escape the pace of London, if only for a while.
Wearers of Beautiful Soul include Lily Cole and singer/songwriter Gabby Young. Beautiful Soul is stocked at the V&A and via their e-commerce website. Retail prices range from £150.00 – £700.00.
“For me the Business Support Programme at CSF was about networking and voicing my concerns with other designers, who were facing very similar issues. We were all at different stages, and yet we were all faced with similar challenges.
When I joined the programme I was spending a lot of time alone and working at building my label. The programme allowed me to meet other designers and ‘talk’. I am now in contact with many designers and it’s good to know that we can help each other.
Furthermore, ‘one to one’ sessions have been extremely beneficial. Starting an eco aware fashion label is challenging and it’s extremely reassuring to know that I can pick up the phone and share my thoughts with the CSF team.”
- Visit Beautiful Soul
