In a world focused on sustainability, Bridal Times had the opportunity to catch up with Michael’s Bridal Fabrics to tell us about their new eco-friendly fabrics which have made a positive impact in fashion and on our global environment as well.
Michael, with the many worldwide exhibitions you attend, when did you first take notice that eco-friendly fabrics were becoming a trend?
There has been a very small number of customers asking about this for the past 4-5 years and the number has very slowly increased, but the main awareness seems to have come over the past year. In the past 6 months since we started offering this type of product, many more customers seem very keen to show that it is a product that they want to be seen to be offering.
What would you say are the most common eco-friendly fabrics that are used in bridal or evening wear?
It is still quite early to say and at the moment, non eco- friendly items are still the most common. Apart from the Mikado and French lace, the most common eco-friendly fabrics is likely to be the less expensive far eastern sourced recycled polyester tulle and satin.
Tell us about your new eco-friendly fabrics that you are currently offering.
The ones we are committed already to running are the last 2 qualities of tulle and satin mentioned above, along with 2 qualities of Mikado, and there will be an increasing number of French laces replacing the normal cotton content with organic cotton content. We also have a self coloured raised voile stripe, in pale Ivory made from Orange. But we have quite a few to offer that will become part of the collection as we take orders for them. This includes ones made from rose petals, aloe vera corn, banana and even milk! Many of us are astonished when we find out what some of these fabrics are made of.
Eco-Friendly Lace and Satin
Which one do you find the most interesting?
One of the most surprising is the pale ivory stripe made from 100% orange, and the jersey made from milk.
Is there anything a designer should consider while choosing eco-friendly fabrics?
For many of the designers that are using recycled or organic yarn, there is almost no noticeable difference in them apart from the price. But some of the more “exotic” ones do have a different feel to many other established fabrics, being quite soft and have quite a lot of movement in them.
What has been the response of eco-friendly fabrics from your clients?
The response does vary but generally many customers did have subconscious thoughts about eco-friendly but were not really very aware that there were many things available, and were expecting that there would be quite a high cost penalty to using them, but as they become more widespread available, the price difference is falling.
Michael’s Bridal Fabrics will be exhibiting at the European Bridal Week from the 4-6th of July.
We would like to thank Michael for this interview.
For further information, visit Michael’s Bridal Fabrics.