Profile: Jessica Smith – Only Natural Design Competitions

Jessica Smith

Norwich University of the Arts

I am a designer from Lancashire, whose work aims to showcase the versatility of wool and how it can be used for various garments and styles. My aim is to support local producers who use traditional methods, boosting the local economy whilst reducing the environmental impact of excessive airmiles. Inspired by the local heritage of the north of England, my work aims to restore the once thriving wool industry for future generations.

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Behind The Curtain

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Fashion Competition 2025

My goal was to demonstrate how wool can be transformed into refined designs that reflect both the strength and grace of ballet dancers, encapsulating the juxtaposition of delicate beauty and underlying resilience. This choice allowed me to challenge the perceptions of wool; its naturally rugged nature has meant it is often overlooked; however, its strength and sustainability embody the traits of ballet I wanted to showcase in my work. I aimed to highlight its elegance and versatility. My initial intention was to create designs of both simplicity and elegance; with the message that simplicity is more. The overall shapes and pattern pieces of the final outcomes are simplistic by design, which helps to achieve the elegance of ballet, with the classic, understated, effortless style that comes with the ballet aesthetic.