60-seconds with…Nicola Woods

Nicola Woods, Founder and Creative Director of Beautiful Soul; Notting Hill based luxury

womenswear and menswear label with eco foundation.

Education
Studied BA (Hons) in Fashion, Design and Technology at London College of Fashion and graduated in 2008.

Achievements
Days after graduating, won scholarship through Centre for Sustainable Fashion to design for South African charity, Tabeisa. (I maintain: “Fashion with a true meaning is the only way forward,” Beautiful Soul was born upon my return in November 2008).

Winner of Ethical Fashion Forum’s Innovation Award.

Finalist of Fashioning the Future 2009.

Shortlisted for Hospital Club 100 Award 2010.

Exhibited at major events, including London Fashion Week and Interstoff Asia in Hong Kong.

Gained recognition and strong following for creative, intelligent and open-minded approach to design.

Stockists include V&A and own e-commerce offering.

Currently working on
Spring/Summer 2011 Collection - teamed up with photographer Oliver Prout, illustrator Zarina Liew and singer Gabby Young to create short film to celebrate SS11 collection, ‘Believe’. (See http://vimeo.com/14939321).

Objectives
Build responsible and trusted brand for consumers. (Beautiful Soul is evolving with a strong commitment to transparency and a belief in a business that treats people, planet and profit with equal importance).

Watch out for new stockists and exciting collaborations in spring 2011.