In an effort to bring more sustainable and affordable wedding dresses to Guernsey brides, a new studio experience has been launched in Guernsey.
Evergreen Bridal Studio launched earlier in 2022 as a pop-up. It was soon fully booked with a long waiting list, and it was clear that brides in Guernsey had been waiting for the kind of experience and service Evergreen offers. Its popularity helped the concept grow to a permanent studio space which has now opened at Port Grat.
Dresses from Evergreen are sourced sustainably by founder and recent bride, Imogen Berryman (pictured) and are showcased in a private studio complete with Prosecco.
As a sustainability champion and a ‘second-hand-first’ advocate in her everyday buying, Imogen found the options in Guernsey limiting and expensive. Having sourced her own wedding dress sustainably in the UK, she wanted to bring the concept to the island.
On average, the manufacture alone of one wedding dress uses between 10,000 and 20,000 litres of water and emits 10-20 kilograms of carbon. It is one of the fastest fashion items that exist and is the definition of single use. Extending the life of a dress that has already been made saves on emissions, water usage, protects water quality and turns its back on unethical production that are commonplace in the textile industry.
Imogen explained: “The response has been wonderful. I’ve listened to how glad my customers are to have more affordable and sustainable options on island; they’ve welcomed removing the expense, and environmental impact, of flying off island for studio appointments, and the subsequent fittings.
“Seller to seller dress sites such as Still White are being used more, but with them comes the risk that the buyer cannot try before they buy, and it also misses the coveted experience of a private bridal studio experience that Evergreen offers.”
The majority of the studio’s dresses and accessories are brand new, unworn and with tags still on. These have been sourced from bridal studios who no longer take orders on the samples and direct from brides who’ve perhaps changed wedding plans or their minds on a dress. The remainder of the edit is ‘pre-loved’ in excellent condition, sold on behalf of local charities or brides who no longer feel they need their dresses in their wardrobes gathering dust.
“The price range is appealing to a lot of brides during this cost of living crisis and I’ve lost count of the jaw drops in the studio. The edit currently ranges from under £100 to £1200, with this top end being a new-with-tags top designer dress, so still a fraction of the RRP”, Imogen added.
“Seeing happy faces walk out the studio makes this so rewarding. I’m here to show that everyone can have a dress they love, that doesn’t cost the Earth.”
