Drop dead gorgeous and Eco-conscious? Yes, please!
When Marcus and I decided to get married we wanted to challenge ourselves by taking the ‘Eco’ thing a step further. Could we pull off a ‘waste-free’ wedding? We were sure as heck going to try! So, when it came to finding a dress that meant much more than buying recycled. I had to think about everything from fabric choice, where the dress would be made, how long it would have to travel to reach me, how many times could it be worn, to whether it would it be new, pre-owned, or vintage. What would create the least amount of waste? A dress made from hemp silk that would need to be shipped halfway around the world? Or a dress made of organic cotton that was picked up locally and could be worn again and again? These were the things I took into consideration when I began the hunt for my dress.
I have to admit when I started my search I did not expect to find so many to-die for gowns. I was sooo wrong. There are loads of beautiful, and affordable dresses that are also ethical.
Some of my favorites….
Sanyukta Shrestha
Her dresses are made in England using wild hemp, wild nettle, bamboo, organic and fair trade cotton, hemp silk, soya, straw, organic silk, and recycled fabrics.
Her dresses are handcrafted using sustainable fabrics in the United States, and 5% of profits are donated to environmental causes.
Her dresses are made in Canada using organic hemp/silk, remnant fabrics, and vegetable dyed silks.
Olivia Luca
She does things a little differently. One just goes to her website and chooses the bodice, skirt and embellishments that suits them best. There are loads of Eco-conscious fabrics to pick from like, organic bamboo/cotton, organic printed cotton and linen, Hempcel* and hemp/silk charmeuse, and Fair-trade handwoven silks. Once the elements are all chosen, Olivia constructs your perfect Eco-beautiful dress!
Up next: To letterpress or not?
-Melani Rae
* 100% SBP® (Sustainable Biodegradable Product). 55% Hemp, 45% Tencel.
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Eco-Friendly Bridesmaids
There’s more to being eco-friendly than dressing your wedding party in green frocks. Equally important is the burning question:
“Will they wear it again?”
“Reuse, recycle” isn’t an eco-mantra for nothing!
So, select dresses not only made from sustainable textiles using ethical practices, but also consider who’s wearing it.
What style and color is likely to look best on everyone? Or think about mixing it up; choose a color, and allow each woman to find a dress that works for her. Finally, the best idea of all is a convertible frock, customizable to suit every silhouette!
image credits clockwise from upper left:
Terra Amore by Jessica Charles
Wrapture Collection by Seams
Convertible Wrap dress by Isadora Clothing
Reversible Convertible Wrap Dress by Isadora Clothing
Bamboo dress, Gina Michele Eco
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Spring 2011 Issue
