Marcie, cofounder of Celia Grace, America’s first ethical and giveback Fair Trade wedding gown collection, stopped by a few weeks ago to share some easy ideas for creating a Giveback Wedding. (If you haven’t seen her post yet, you must Check it Out Now!
She has now returned to share with us her guide to ethical wedding gowns.
Many brands create elegant and beautiful gowns made from locally sourced materials, Fair Trade or sustainable silks, or cruelty-free fabrics. But it’s hard to tell the difference between an upcycled heirloom and peace silk.
Take it away, Marcie, to help you navigate through the waters of what “ethical” really means.
A wedding dress is an investment in time, money, and emotion. Wedding dresses cost US couples $4 billion per year. 98% of the clothing we wear is manufactured overseas.
Imagine what good we could achieve if a fraction of these dollars were spent on ethical wedding dresses instead of conventional ones.
What is an “ethical wedding dress”? There is no single answer to this question, for better or worse.
Here are a few different ways you can think about this so that you can make your own decision:
Eco-friendly wedding dresses can be a part of an ethical wedding dress
Did You Know That Clothing Production Is The Second Most Polluting Industry In The World?
Eco-friendly is a good way to describe an ethical wedding gown. The majority of wedding dresses are made from petroleum-based poly fabric. Do not be misled by the words chiffon and satin. They can be made of silk or polyester.
You can go green by reusing a wedding gown (a vintage, heirloom, or used dress, rental, or remade gown) or finding a new skirt made from eco fabrics.
Some hand-woven silks are still made in the same manner as they have been for centuries. These fabrics are a way to preserve traditional art and reduce environmental impact.
A locally made dress can be considered an ethical wedding gown
Recent tragedies in garment factories remind us just how poor working conditions can be for those who make clothes in developing countries.
There is likely a local dressmaker who lives right around the corner. 98% of clothing in America is manufactured overseas. You can even design your dress together with a local tailor if you ask around.
Look for wedding dresses that are made in North America, Europe, or Asia, where strict regulations govern health, safety, and wages for workers.
A Fair Trade gown or “giveback” gown can be considered an ethical wedding dress.
To combat poor working conditions abroad, one way to address the problem is to bring these jobs home and buy local goods.
Unfortunately, not everyone will or can do this. We can help improve the work conditions and lives in poor countries by selecting a wedding gown that is Fair Trade made overseas.
Fair Trade brands should be able to tell you the stories behind their garments and be recognized by a third party for their Fair Trade practices. Fair Trade is not just about coffee and chocolate. There are many other products, including grains, gold, and garments.
