LFW: Beautiful Soul's Painting By Numbers AW2011

Congratulations to Nicola Woods of Beautiful Soul for the creation of her AW2011 collection entitled, Painting by Numbers, "a journey through an English country garden and the eternal appeal of English traditions in order to escape the pace of London, if only for a while."

"A blank organic silk canvas is the starting point, pulling from memory and reminiscing, filling in shapes with colour: swallows, English roses, bluebells, butterflies, dragonflies, and ladybirds. British illustrator Faye West was commissioned to collaborate on these unique prints."

For fans of Beautiful Soul's bespoke, recycled vintage kimono creations, you can learn more about how to order via the designer's website. Nicola's commitment to sustainable fashion is as beautiful and graceful as the pure energy that she has put into all of these latest pieces. What a bold creative journey she has conducted in such a short period time. The perfect compliment to the hectic schedule of London Fashion Week and the long winter journey we have endured and shared.

The Workshop Shop Phenomenon

Annie Novotny's 'Workshop Boutique' in Chicago

I love this new phenomenon of sustainable fashion enterprises having an on-site workshop under the same roof as the designer's artisanal boutique. If we really want to talk about locally made goods being part of the sustainable design equation, it definitely makes sense to give shoppers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the materials and methods that go into each season's collection and custom-made accessories.

Frock Shoppe in Chester, Connecticut features a storefront and behind-the-scenes sewing atelier

For some designers this also means that they do not have to follow the standard fashion week calendar, as they are free to create inventory in-tune with the current season (or un-seasonal temperatures) and also cater to bespoke requests from devoted followers.

Beautiful Soul's vintage kimono textiles are artfully curated and archived for bespoke fashioning (image via Vogue.com UK)

Beautiful Soul's A/W 2010 collection

I have always found that I am more inclined to buy from a designer if I can meaningfully connect with their process and backstory in some real fashion. Are we moving ever closer to a production model where the consumer and the designer work in partnership to fulfill the 'demands' of our fashion 'needs'? I certainly hope so. The more we are attuned to what goes into the design and crafting of our clothing, the more we are likely to carefully consider the entire life cycle of the garments that we opt to make a part of our personal style repertoire.

Another new workshop-shop to watch? Here Today, Here Tomorrow in the up-and-coming Dalston area in London. 

HERE TODAY  HERE TOMORROW

30a Balls Pond Road | Dalston | N1 4AU

t: 02035181556

Ethical Fashion Show at the William Morris Gallery in London

Bold and ethically chic, Miksani Collection


Drawing for block-printed fabric, ''Tulip and Willow'' by William Morris

In the spirit of William Morris and his concern for the environment and interest in natural dyes, the William Morris Gallery in London will be holding an Ethical Fashion Show on Thursday 11 March at 7:00pm.

Timeless ethical fashion by Elena Garcia

'Beautiful Soul' Collection A/W 2010

Participating designers include: Emmeline 4 Re, Feng Ho, Nancy Dee, Elena Garcia, Sew Last Season, Miksani, Beautiful Soul, and Tammam. Craft and accessory designers to be showcased include: Ariane Dreysse, Linda Gray, Kally Laurence, and Lili Spain.

The Ethical Fashion Show is in support of the William Morris Gallery development project. For further information please contact:

William Morris Gallery
Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London E17 4PP
Tel: 020 8496 4390

Beautiful Soul No. 3 AW Collection at Estethica 2010

My heartfelt congratulations to designer Nicola Woods who will be presenting her eco-luxurious and resourcefully tailored No.3 AW 2010 Beautiful Soul Collection at London Fashion Week's Estethica Somerset House showcase from February 19th to 23rd.


Nicola is an extremely thoughtful and hard-working designer, and based on the stunning LookBook preview that she kindly sent to me, the fruits of her soulful labor have definitely paid off. Her latest British wool/organic jacquard jackets are absolutely exquisite and truly timeless (sustainable) in appeal.

"Beautiful Soul prides itself in combining the most indulgent vintage fabrics with sustainable alternatives. Vintage kimonos remain a central aspect of the No.3 collection, adding a touch of elegance and exclusivity. This AW also sees the introduction of British wool from a rare breed of Shetland sheep sourced from Izzy Lane. The delicacy and luxury of the materials combine with the expert London-based manufacturing, to give the wearer a truly unique fashion experience. " - Nicola Woods, founder of Beautiful Soul


*Stay tuned for more coverage of Beautiful Soul's No. 3 AW Collection and all the highlights from Estethica 2010.

'Beautiful Soul' Channels Madame Butterfly

Congratulations to talented U.K. designer Nicola Woods of 'Beautiful Soul' for her recent recognition award of Future 100: Future Talent - Budding Entrepreneurs on the Horizon 2009. Nicola's latest kimono-inspired SS 2010 Collection, Miss Butterfly, will soon be available at the V&A's fabulously curated museum shop.


Embellishments and accessories for 'Miss Butterfly' were handmade by a small cooperative (Umdoni Creek) that 'Beautiful Soul' set up in South Africa in 2008 and feature indigenous up-cycled ingredients and fabric remnants. The designer graduated from The London College of Fashion in 2008, and was invited to spend her summer designing for a charity in South Africa. Upon her return to the U.K., Nicola decided to start up her own ethical fashion label, 'Beautiful Soul', as way to "use fashion as a tool" as well as "providing training and motivation for less-privileged communities in the U.K. and around the globe".




'Beautiful Soul' has gained recognition for its creative, intelligent and open minded approach to design, winning the Ethical Fashion Forum’s Innovation award, in February 2009 as well as being a finalist at the Fashioning the Future Summit in November 2008. In addition, in September 2009 'Beautiful Soul' debuted at ‘Estethica’, London Fashion Week and showcased at the Interstoff Asia, Hong Kong; promoting sustainable fashion design. Nicola Woods is definitely one-to-watch, and celebrate as a designer with vision and true, theatrical imagination.

Beautiful Soul in Sublime Magazine - Issue 17

*Beautiful Soul