How does it feel to be crowned with The Sustainability Award 2024, and what does winning this award mean to you and your team?

Honestly, it means so much! We’ve been striving to be as sustainable as we possibly can be for such a long time now, in all areas from fabrics to production to working practices, and it’s so amazing to be recognised for our efforts. I always say that, for us, sustainability is a lifestyle rather than a gimmick, and all of us at RIR are so passionate about the ethics and environmental impact of our work. In the fashion world, and the bridal industry, there is so much greenwashing happening alongside problems with lack of transparency, so sometimes it can feel a little like swimming against the tide, but this is a lovely reward for our efforts and a reminder that people really do care about the planet as much as we do!

What would be your biggest pearls of wisdom to offer boutiques and designers looking to offer more ethical options for the conscious consumer?

I’m certain none of us in the bridal world want to contribute to the detrimental effects of the garment industry, and if we all work together and make a concerted effort to bring about change, (however small), we can make a real difference. Our focus and commitment to sustainability, ethics, and inclusivity are the backbone of the label. We use certified fabrics that are eco friendly, ethically produced, organic and recycled, and offer vegan alternatives to silk. For us, sustainability is a lifestyle, not a gimmick! We also strive to be as inclusive and body-positive as possible, offering every style in any size required. If you’re also looking to make a difference, have a read of my top tips article here.

And finally, what do the next two years have in store for the brand? Can you share with us any exciting upcoming projects?

I’m just beginning to work on our next collection, so I’m looking forward to getting going with pattern drafting and fabric sampling and sketching which are just my favourite parts of the job. It genuinely gives me butterflies when I start designing, I love it so much! We recently teamed up with a lovely European agent so we’re steadily growing our brand in the EU, and are in talks about hopefully partnering with a stockist or two in the US as well. So watch this space!

If you want to chat with Hayley herself, and discover the new Kirei collection inspired by the elegant simplicity of ancient Japanese ink wash paintings, visit Europe’s most exclusive bridal buying event White Gallery this Spring.

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