W H Y ?
If sustainable fashion is going to become commonplace then it's essential we normalise sustainable occasion-wear too. People are more aware of, and taking more steps to reduce, the environmental impacts of lots of aspects of their big day. Weddings are also increasingly unique in terms of location, food and music. I feel it's time for bridal-wear to catch up! Shelling out a small fortune for a mass-produced, cookie-cutter, wear-once all-white dress seems antiquated in our changing world. I want to provide an antidote to fast fashion, a more joyful and relaxed alternative to the ubiquitous traditional gowns that saturate the current market, and echo the sentiment of the modern-day marriage. Bright, beautiful, celebratory, my dresses acknowledge tradition, but write over it with personality and individuality.
Read the WRAP report "Valuing our clothes: The cost of UK fashion"
Read Vogue article "Will 2020 Be the Year the Bridal Market Finally Gets Modern?"
H O W ?
I will always use 100% recycled materials, and as many 'pre-loved' fixtures and fittings as possible. My environmental policy states that anything I cannot make myself from recycled materials will be sourced sustainably (thread, business cards etc.).
The recycled material is sourced from second hand clothing shops. This means that all of the material costs go to charity, and the garments will be environmentally responsible, without having to seek out costly water-wasting recycled fibre materials. To see our digital fabric library, click here.
Most of the second hand garments will be completely unstitched and taken apart, so the fabric can be used from scrap. A small selection of the second hand garments will have their features detached from the garment whole, and incorporated into the new garment.
To keep the styles more relaxed, the costs down, and to eliminate the hassle of lengthy fittings, my collection will be ready-to-wear. However, the client always has the option of taking their garment to a trusted tailor if they wish to go down that path.
I'm plus size positive, therefore I aim to cover a wide enough variation of ready-to-wear sizes, labelled S/M/L/XL, intended for a loose fit. Larger custom sizing requirements can be catered to upon request. Just as I am inclusive to all genders and sexual orientations, I would never discriminate against a potential client based on their size.
The most iconic element of the wedding dress is white fabric. I don't intend to turn this on it's head, but creams, whites and pale colours will also be complimented by more untraditional colours and prints than usual. Decorative elements will be used sparingly, such as ombre dyeing, applique, embroidery, beading, as well as fabric manipulation. The main deviation from mass market dresses will be the actual fabrics, styles and cuts of the garments, a playful blend of modern styles incorporating day and evening-wear, for a look that will carry through the day ceremony and into the night.
W H A T W I L L I S P E N D T H E M O N E Y O N ?
Although I'm on a very limited income, I already have the basic groundwork laid out to get started. I have enough material for a whole collection, and I'm already a member of a shared sewing studio, with professional equipment. The studio is perfect in many ways, the shared nature of it means it’s more environmentally friendly, and its location cuts down on transport. However, it lacks one thing: storage space! My goal is to cover rented private storage space for my first year of business. To go any further with my business, I need a dedicated, clean and private space to keep finished garments, stay organised and prevent any damage to my finished work. A private storage space would also allow me to store a mobile set up for trade fairs, essential for marketing my business and reaching new clients.
Estimated rent for private storage space for a year: £2000
W H Y M E ?
In my work as a doula, I empower women to feel confident to make their own choices about their pregnancy, birthing and postpartum experience. The same could be said for my work as a seamstress. I love to offer choice, and put the power of individuality back into women's hands. In-keeping with this, I want to also create a safe space for the LGBT+ community to come for their wedding garment needs. To read more about me, click here.
C O N T A C T
Email: hi@daisylouisemiles.com
Take a look at my website: www.daisylouisemiles.com
Find us on Instagram and Facebook too!
F A Q S
- Can clients arrange a fitting? We try to simplify the process by creating garments that don't require fittings, but understand those who need peace of mind. I can't travel for fittings, but if you can come in person to my Bristol studio, we might be able to arrange something suitable. If this isn't an option, we'll try our best to find another solution.
- Can clients provide the fabric? If you have an item of clothing, or a scrap of fabric you want us to include, we're open to suggestions. However, we would ask that you accept that you are trusting us with the outcome, and that we won't be able to return that fabric to it's original state once it's been transformed.
- Can clients rent a garment? Unfortunately I'm not ready to offer this service yet, besides many people are surprised by how sentimental their dress becomes to them, after the day. However, if you decide you don't want to keep your wedding outfit, you can offer to sell it back to us at a revised price, so that we can breathe new life into it once again.
- Returns and refunds: Just like any other shop we have a fully comprehensive returns and refunds policy, which is displayed on our pages, shown before purchase, and can be requested by email.
- Why is sustainability so important to you? Fabric waste, overconsumption and chemical processes are rampant in the textiles industry. I believe that every penny we spend is a vote for the type of world we want to live in, and for me that means a socially responsible, and environmentally friendly world.
- How long have you been making clothes? My mum studied textiles, and had a home studio while I was growing up, so I learnt to sew from her, and bought myself my own sewing machine when I was 12. I've been making clothes ever since, and studied textiles all the way through school to degree level.
