When designing this collection, the main outcome is to create beautiful items that can be worn again. In a world where 87% of textiles end up in landfill and only 1% in recycling[1], as a textiles industry, we overproduce too much waste which has contributed to our excessive energy use and natural resources which has contributed to the climate crisis we find ourselves in. The clothing industry is responsible for 10% of global emissions and responsible for 20% of industrial water pollution[2]. What figure of those will be single-use bridal pieces I wonder?
Photography @roots.and.tales
Designer wedding dresses are on one hand sustainable given that they’re made to order (that’s not looking at the fibre content) – the usual system for any mass-produced textiles including non-designer bridal is forward ordering on large volumes per size, this is usually based on previous buying cycles but ultimately, you’re guessing a large number. Being made to order means there’s less waste produced and no need to sit on stock, however, if they’re not worn again, or re-sold then they’re part of the problem of being single use, aren’t they?
It was important to me for this first collection that I start with simplistic styles, styles to elevate the current female form and easily be transformed into another piece within the wardrobe, I want my brides to get more for their money.
What’s the point in paying for a beautiful dress for it to just sit in your loft collecting dust?
I want the dresses to either be sold on to have another bride wear the gorgeous items or see them back in my studio getting it cut up and made into something else. A circular design approach to bridal so that when they are worn again, they will forever evoke the feeling of your wedding day.
Photography @roots.and.tales
Besides the design element, it was important for me to use sustainable fabrics where I could.
Tencel is the main fibre that features in my collection due to its sustainable credentials in that it is extracted from sustainably grown wood using a unique closed-loop system that recovers and reuses the solvents used, minimizing the environmental impact of production[3]. It’s super soft against the skin too!
Silk is in there, 100% silk -now silk like most things also comes with it flaws and has a mixed environmental impact[4]. It has a lovely fluid handle and is renowned for being luxurious. It is a natural fibre and will biodegrade[5]. Mulberry trees that sustain most silkworms require few pesticides or fertilizers, can be grown organically, and require less water than cotton[6].
Lastly, there will be some Polyester items in there- those being embellished or textured fabrics. Now, I come with two viewpoints on this fabric as we know its created with the use of coal, oil, air, and water and is the strongest fibre giving it the flexibility to be dyed and woven into many options, but this is a negative impact on the environment. On the other side of this as it is so durable the fabric will last forever. So, with the fabrics already in existence and being produced, also until they replace the virgin polyester with recycled polyester, it’s there to be used up.
That’s were creating longevity in the designs and being able to be circular with an evolving piece is important, as the fabric will keep doing its thing, it’s us the consumer who needs to do our part in keeping hold of it and changing our habits.
Let's rethink Bridal into a more circular economy and not for the one-day use only that it is traditionally for, it can be so much more and I’m here to create that and help you transform your items after you’ve said ‘I Do’ too.
[1] Fashionopolis, The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, DANA THOMAS [2] Fashionopolis, The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, DANA THOMAS [3] Lenzing.com [4] Commonobjective.com [5] Commonobjective.com [6] Commonobjective.com