Q+A with Bel Davies
Pratt Institute BFA 2025
Worldbuilding
At No Kill Magazine, we’re after what might change the game — not just what’s next. Some of the sharpest ideas are coming from designers rewriting fashion’s rules.
In Next Gen / No Kill, we spotlight standout fashion graduates whose work opens up new conversations and possibilities. From New York’s top programs and beyond, these are the designers shaping a future of fashion defined by intelligence, creativity, and intention.
What is the inspiration or concept behind Worldbuilding?
This collection is inspired by my experiences dealing with daydreaming and escapism as a child. I was obsessed with any piece of fantasy media I could get my hands on, and I relied on the inner worlds I created from them to cope with my anxiety, moving schools, etc. As I got older, I realised these interests were still a huge part of me and came to terms with my continued enjoyment of them, I didn’t need ‘cooler’ coping mechanisms; mine worked just fine!
What’s one material or technique you’re currently obsessed with?
Felting. I love the idea that you can create surface and texture without the use of thread. It feels so much more hands-on to build up surface in this way, especially when combined with other surface embellishment techniques. It was also definitely one of the techniques that helped my work stand out. People love to come up and touch texturally interesting work, and I always noticed how people approached my rack and immediately wanted to interact with my clothes. As for the integrity of the technique, most of my work had been thrown in a dye bath of flowers and then covered with iron water, so, needless to say, I thought a bit of human interaction wouldn’t hurt.
What does fashion mean to you today?
I think fashion is the continued ability to communicate intention to the wearer. When my models, both for my shoot and on my runway, wore my clothes, they felt very connected to the message I had behind my concept. I loved hearing about how the clothes made them feel and where it reminded them of from their own lives. Continuing to put a strong sense of identity and relatability into the concepts of my work is vital to producing impactful fashion.
What’s one thing you wish the fashion industry would leave behind—and one thing it should embrace?
I wish the industry would leave behind a dependency on plastic, and bring about a better understanding of materiality and highlight the uniqueness of natural materials.
I think the first thought of how to use natural fibres is often to try and mimic the properties of synthetic ones. While synthetic fibres have their uses, and the idea of longevity in synthetics vs. naturals is always called into question, natural fibres are beautiful in dyeing and properties in a way that separates them fully from synthetics. I wish the industry was saying ‘Hey, these materials are different, why are we treating them the same?”
Who or what has shaped your design values most?
My parents are both creatives and have worked in the design world. I was always so inspired by how they injected design thinking and creativity into every part of our lives. They taught me to think about each step of the design process with integrity and to appreciate my materials and my intentions with them. I’ve made a choice to move closer to home both for my career and to continue my learning beyond college, through reconnecting with the artistic community that is my own family. They’re kind of my best friends, it’s great.
If you could design for anyone in the world, who would it be—and why?
Everyone. I love the idea of doing custom work, and I feel misaligned with limiting my understanding of and the beauty of natural dyeing textiles to just a handful of people. I would really love to do custom work for events and costuming that allows me to meet an individual with an idea where they are at, and to help them understand what areas of care and time within textiles can help meet their expectations.
Three things keeping you sane right now
On theme with my collection, I’m really enjoying and embracing memories from my childhood in order to reconnect with this lost self, so my three things heavily align with this inner work. I’m back to playing a ton of video games I used to love as a kid, I’ve just bought a used car that’s the same as my parents drove when I was younger (and i’m figuring out how to burn CD’s for it), and I’m restoring midcentury furniture for my new apartment. I love surrounding my space with pieces that can creatively inspire me to do my best work.
One word to describe your design approach Fantastical
Where can we find you online?
https://bel-davies.com/
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