Lauren Matthews

My graduate collection, ‘Conscious Bride’, is a sustainable Bridal / Eveningwear collection made entirely from fabric off-cuts. Utilising end-of-line waste fabric and fastenings from old garments, this collection aims to have a zero-negative impact on the environment. The ‘Conscious Bride’ collection offers its consumers reassurance when purchasing, by offering transparency throughout the supply chain at a time when they are more concerned than ever about the environment. Conscious Bride provides investment pieces, promoting a more circular approach to fashion that encourages people to re-wear their bridal garments as evening pieces. Additionally, the elite pieces would be suitable to pass on as heirlooms, as they are timeless – establishing a way of life rather than a trend. This collection began with a passion to protect the world’s oceans from human activity and litter. It takes garment shape and silhouette inspiration from the vulnerable underwater coral reefs to form a bold and contemporary collection for a mindful bride. My career aspirations would be working for a luxury fashion brand that appreciates sustainable fashion practices: this is important to me. The technical side of fashion (such as product development and garment technology) interests me most, and this is where my expertise lie.