“I Do” Tread Lightly on the Earth
We kick off our wedding season at Cerise UK with an article on ethical wedding wear designers from the fabulous Lupe Castro. Lupe is a blogger and The Ethical Stylist with an impressive list clients wanting to keep their fingers on the green pulse. Lupe also runs the website Ethical Heaven and moves with ease between designers, publicists and the media. A virtual encyclopaedia of fashion knowledge about anything ravishing, renewable or recycled Lupe is always a girl in demand. She even leads ethical shopping tours of London, available in each of the four languages that she speaks!
When I was asked to do this article I had a few hesitations on giving wardrobe advice to brides to be. You see one of my most vivid memories of my own wedding was of horrifying my incredibly religious father. I insisted on gliding down the aisle wearing a purple creation designed by a friend at Central St Martins which he at first sight thought was an under slip. The poor chap then proceeded to down three stiff drinks before he plucked up the courage to walk me down the aisle. My dress was made with vintage lace and mauve silk and was mid-calf. I had some of my grandmothers pearls intertwined in my hair and I felt terribly special. I still remember every detail to this day as I am sure everyone else does too! I believe as its one helluva important day in your life and you just have to be the most beautiful person on show. If you have great shoulders reveal them, great legs then let people see them, a great waist then sculpt it. If you're blessed with all three take your pick! Colour is important too whether you choose white, beige or your favourite hue it must work well and enhance your natural tone. Budget is always a consideration but there are really some stunning designers and companies that might not set you back as much as you think. Here are just a couple of my newest favourites to start you dreaming!
Julie Dutton designer dress maker (www.juliedutton.co.uk) Her beautiful eco gown 'Remnanta' is made from scraps of silks, chiffon and beautiful marocain for the bodice form and tulle for layers of skirts. She uses organic silks in her designs allowing unique styles to evolve by using interesting remnants or even restyling vintage pieces. Prices from £800
House of Tammam Lucy (www.tammam.co.uk), a 2005 Central St Martins graduate, travels to India and Nepal working with producers to find and develop luxury eco fibres and fabrics. The two dresses seen here are made in a Fair trade atelier in India. 'Peacock' is made in wild peace silk £100. 'Charlotte' made in organic fair trade cotton satin and bamboo satin, and is hand beaded. £600
Julia Smith www.juliasmithfashion.co.uk (ex Alberta Ferriti designer). All fabrics used in her collections are organic or sustainable and ethically sourced. Certification bodies include SKAL and the Soil Association. Julia supports local trade by manufacturing the entire collection in England. Featuring an array of pleats frills and layers together with her signature masculine tailoring make is this designer a personification of English elegance and simplicity.
'21 things I love' www.21thingsilove.com is created by Andrea Carr and Kim Fleary. They have combined their backgrounds in theatre fashion and art to make a collection that is made to order in the UK using organic, sustainable and industry surplus fabrics with a minimum of waste. I just love their white bamboo jersey silk dress which you can shorten later for dancing at the reception.
Davina Hawthorne www.davinahawthorne.com is another Central St Martins graduate. Her work combines textiles and fashion and seeks to push the boundaries of these two disciplines through finishing, texture, function and silhouette. She uses a combination of recycled materials and handicraft techniques in her work.
Miksa www.miksa.co.uk. An odd wedding selection you might think but I love her white Alpaca dress. It is un-dyed and made in Peru at an IFAT organisation. It was shown in her winter collection and although it is short, it is terribly pretty and combining it with a lovely long length cloak by Elena Garcia would certainly make you feel like the Ice Queen. A winter wedding sensation!
If this is still over budget then check out 'Worn once with love'. Clever lady Claire Ingram, www.wornoncewithlove.co.uk, like Oxfam bridal has come up with some great worn once or sample dresses and will buy back yours after the event. Most dresses are between £350 to £600, no bridal gown is more than £600. She does bridal and prom dresses too and is planning to come down to London from her studio in Kidderminster for two days every season. Contact her for her latest dates.
My accessory list is really quite enormous but really I am unable to round off any glamorous dress without shoes , I have fallen in love with 'Hetty Rose's 'Peep Toe Amalie 2' shoes, which she can customise to your dress. They are highish but seriously comfortable and made to measure. Also being a lingerie hoarder I suggest a look-see at Enamore bridal collection www.enamore.co.uk . At £44 a white ruffle shorty made f
rom stretch organic silk with a candy pink satin bow and trimmed with delicate lace could just do the trick. A fabulous £15 white garter would finish the picture perfectly!.
Still worried about the big event? I suggest investing in Jen Marsden's Green Guide for Weddings book at £8.99