Fashion student shocked when Bridgeton's Nicola Coughlan wears her designs in Elle
Meet the body positive fashion design student who was stunned when she saw Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan wearing her clothes.
Emma Van Engelen, 26, studied fashion at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute Emma decided to launch her own body positive fashion line.
She started off her work at uni and has now a team of two - including herself - in her own studio where she designs body positive outfits, size 12 to 20.
Recently Emma's deisgns were worn by Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan for her cover shoot on Elle magazine, after the team requested two pieces - a dress and corset.
Her designs are now being bought by people from all around the world.
Emma, a designer, from Amsterdam, Netherlands, said: "I have a very strong signature message which is celebrating curve of the body, individuality and really about standing out.
"I created something walkable from sketches and learnt so much from 3D printing.
"I really feel so strongly about if you want something, you should go get that.
"I would want young girls to see this and accept themselves."
In September, 2019, Emma started studying fashion at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute.
After graduating in February, 2024, she followed her dream.
One of Emma's corset's was on the front page of Elle Magazine in May, modelled by Nicole Coughlan from Bridgeton.
Emma said: “First of all, it was a bit of a shock. I didn’t know it was going to be on the front page, but I was so happy and couldn’t fathom that it was on the front page.
“I had a new sense of belief that I could go and do things like this.”
Nicole chose to wear a corset which was hand braided with a lot of embroidery.
Emma said: "They requested two garments which was the corset and the bubble dress.”
Nicole said: “I really wanted to wear this because it's so nice to support a young Dutch designer."
She be officially launching launched Bhumi Fashion - a new body positive fashion brand - this autumn.
Emma said: "I really want to make what I want to make. I feel like my story resonates with a lot of other people.”
Emma creates dresses which are made to draw attention through colour and designs - elevating the conversation on body positivity.
Emma describes her pieces as "sexy" and "maximalist" and also states "I don't do trends, I make my own trends."
She said: "I’ve been getting positive comments about what I’m doing.
"It doesn’t speak for everyone and its very niche. It isn’t everyone's style but I’m very stubborn.
“If you would go shopping in Zara, you can’t find those sizes and it’s all about making that progression.
“I think it would be hard to resolve the damage that has been done by the fashion industry."
Emma's dream is to create a fashion power house and feature her designs at Fashion Week in London.
“Short term wise, it would be to showcase my work at a London fashion week and show case handbags, accessories
“I want my shoes to collaborate with a shoe company like Adidas and design wearable version.”
Emma Van Engelen, 26, studied fashion at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute Emma decided to launch her own body positive fashion line.
She started off her work at uni and has now a team of two - including herself - in her own studio where she designs body positive outfits, size 12 to 20.
Recently Emma's deisgns were worn by Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan for her cover shoot on Elle magazine, after the team requested two pieces - a dress and corset.
Her designs are now being bought by people from all around the world.
Emma, a designer, from Amsterdam, Netherlands, said: "I have a very strong signature message which is celebrating curve of the body, individuality and really about standing out.
"I created something walkable from sketches and learnt so much from 3D printing.
"I really feel so strongly about if you want something, you should go get that.
"I would want young girls to see this and accept themselves."
In September, 2019, Emma started studying fashion at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute.
After graduating in February, 2024, she followed her dream.
One of Emma's corset's was on the front page of Elle Magazine in May, modelled by Nicole Coughlan from Bridgeton.
Emma said: “First of all, it was a bit of a shock. I didn’t know it was going to be on the front page, but I was so happy and couldn’t fathom that it was on the front page.
“I had a new sense of belief that I could go and do things like this.”
Nicole chose to wear a corset which was hand braided with a lot of embroidery.
Emma said: "They requested two garments which was the corset and the bubble dress.”
Nicole said: “I really wanted to wear this because it's so nice to support a young Dutch designer."
She be officially launching launched Bhumi Fashion - a new body positive fashion brand - this autumn.
Emma said: "I really want to make what I want to make. I feel like my story resonates with a lot of other people.”
Emma creates dresses which are made to draw attention through colour and designs - elevating the conversation on body positivity.
Emma describes her pieces as "sexy" and "maximalist" and also states "I don't do trends, I make my own trends."
She said: "I’ve been getting positive comments about what I’m doing.
"It doesn’t speak for everyone and its very niche. It isn’t everyone's style but I’m very stubborn.
“If you would go shopping in Zara, you can’t find those sizes and it’s all about making that progression.
“I think it would be hard to resolve the damage that has been done by the fashion industry."
Emma's dream is to create a fashion power house and feature her designs at Fashion Week in London.
“Short term wise, it would be to showcase my work at a London fashion week and show case handbags, accessories
“I want my shoes to collaborate with a shoe company like Adidas and design wearable version.”