Smilla Bele Hudowenz - Hochschule Hannover

LIMITLESS LESS - Versatility beyond the count of pieces. – Hochschule Hannover

Hi,
My name is Smilla Bele: a creative mind, sports enthusiast, northern light and fashion designer. Five years ago, I chose to study fashion design as a way to bring together my many interests. Throughout my studies, I explored a wide range of disciplines and developed a particular passion for material concepts and experimenting with textiles and color. Materiality is always the starting point of my work, which engages with topics such as regional production, textile recycling, and material reuse. Through techniques like laser printing, natural dyeing processes and textile manipulation, I aim to create intriguing textures and visual effects while demonstrating that sustainable design can be both thoughtful and playful. During my semester abroad, I also expanded my practice through studies in jewelry design and bookbinding. I continuously strive to integrate these and other interdisciplinary approaches into my projects.

My bachelor’s thesis, LIMITLESS LESS, reflects both my design process and the complex emotions that accompanied me throughout my studies. It explores overproduction, the lack of industry regulations, fashion consumption, and my own role as an emerging designer within this system. While addressing feelings of frustration and resignation, it also searches for ways to create meaningful impact and inspire real change. LIMITLESS LESS is therefore an experimental counterproposal that expresses my enthusiasm for fashion and textiles. The collection challenges the idea that owning less automatically means expressing less. Instead of embracing a strict minimalist aesthetic, it approaches minimalism through a playful lens. Second-hand textiles form the foundation of every design. Existing materials, stories, and
signs of wear are transformed through upcycling, innovative pattern cutting, and strategic print placements, giving them a contemporary context. Sporting archetypes are combined with unexpected materials and playful details, creating a dialogue between function and expression. LIMITLESS LESS views clothing not as a short-lived consumer product, but as a companion with a story. Hidden details, repair possibilities, and transparent material sourcing
encourage a deeper emotional connection between wearer and garment. The result is a wardrobe designed not only to be produced sustainably, but also to be loved sustainably—season after season.

Photo Credits: Emma Seitz