York-based bridal label Rolling In Roses has once again proven that ethical fashion and exquisite design can walk hand in hand. Named winner of the 2025 Bridal Buyer Sustainability Award (for the second time) the brand has cemented its position as a pioneer of eco-conscious bridalwear and a leading voice in slow, sustainable couture.

The Awards team said: “This award recognises bridalwear, accessories and occasionwear suppliers and retailers who are paving the way with sustainable and eco-friendly processes, and Rolling In Roses embodies every word of that mission.”

Discussing the award entry, one of the judges, Kat Williams, Editor of Rock n Roll Bride, commented: “Such a thoughtful and well-rounded approach to sustainability. The commitment to avoiding overproduction by releasing only one collection every two years is a powerful counter to the waste often seen in the wedding industry. It’s especially great to see transparency around fabrics – not just in terms of percentages and certifications, but in the attention to sourcing, biodegradability, and cruelty-free production.”

Sustainable Mindset

Founded by designer Hayley Neil, the label has built its reputation on transparency, ethical practice, and a fierce commitment to reducing fashion’s environmental impact. In her award submission, Hayley explained that the brand “uses sustainable, ethically produced, organic and eco-friendly fabrics, and offers vegan alternatives to silk.” For her, “sustainability is a lifestyle, not a gimmick; we are conscious of everything we do, from using paper tape instead of sticky tape on dress patterns, right down to the recycled paper in the bathroom.”

This meticulous mindset touches every aspect of the business. From donating fabric offcuts to local artists and crafters, to packaging gowns in biodegradable bags and recycled acid-free boxes, Rolling In Roses proves that small actions add up to meaningful change. “We are so proud of the tiny amount of rubbish we send to landfill,” Hayley noted. “We use carbon neutral shipping options with our courier company, and we’re constantly looking at ways to improve our impact on the world and the environment around us.”

A Commitment in Every Stitch

At the heart of Rolling In Roses’ philosophy is an unwavering dedication to materials. “We spend an insane amount of time sourcing luxury materials which are not only divine to look at and wear, but also ethically produced from eco-friendly fibres,” says Hayley. “Quality, luxury fabrics are everything to us at RIR, and we’re incredibly proud to say that 94.6% of the fabrics used in our two most recent collections have sustainable certification.”

The label’s latest Juliet Collection embodies this ethos of “genuinely slow fashion, ethically made with heart and soul.” Standout pieces such as the Titania and Beatrice dresses illustrate the harmony between luxury and sustainability: Titania is crafted from a brocade of bio-silk and recycled poly, lined with organic bamboo charmeuse, while Beatrice features Naia™ satin, a closed-loop fibre made from sustainably managed pine and eucalyptus forests, ideal for vegan brides.

The artistry of each gown is matched by the brand’s environmental transparency. Hayley highlights how every operational decision is driven by conscience, from carbon-neutral shipping and biodegradable packaging to the reuse of offcuts and a relentless search for low-impact textiles. This authenticity is what distinguishes Rolling In Roses from the greenwashing that too often clouds fashion’s sustainability claims.

Small-Scale Power

Rolling In Roses’ inclusive and contemporary aesthetic speaks to a new generation of brides who value individuality as much as integrity. Positioning itself “solidly at the forefront of pioneering, fashion-forward, modern bridal fashion,” the brand connects with progressive, ethically minded women who want to feel as good about their dress as they do in it.

Every piece is designed and made to order in the York atelier, where traditional couture techniques meet modern, eco-aware innovation. This hands-on process allows the team to maintain complete control over quality while minimising waste. “By providing a wealth of choice of styles so clients can tailor their look to their distinct weddings and personalities, and by offering our designs in inclusive sizing and ethical fabrics, this is a brand that is moving with the times and innovating as it goes,” Hayley says.

As Rolling In Roses celebrates its second Bridal Buyer Sustainability Award, its message remains clear: ethical design and beauty aren’t opposites, they can be inseparable.

WORDS Anna-Marie DeSouza