The words ethical, sustainable, and fair-trade have become what I live for, breathe in, and eat for breakfast.
In everything I do I think of alternative methods to achieve the outcome in a way that has less impact on the planet and people.
When it came to getting married, my passion towards ethical living was not forgotten, and became the centre of all wedding decisions.
Canada based ethical lingerie company, Azura Bay, has been my number one choice of underwear since the very beginning, and there was no questioning that on my wedding day, I would be wearing one of their gorgeous ethical secrets.
Here are 5 reasons why wearing Azura Bay on my wedding day was a no brainer.
Images via Beth Corin Studios
"The most meaningful parts of an ethical wedding are in the finer details. "
1. Starting small is best
When I began the change to ethical fashion a few years ago, I didn’t know where to start. I quickly found out that ethically made underwear was a great place to begin. It was something small I could change to start the ripple effect. Switching to ethical underwear meant changing the rest of my wardrobe habits was so much easier and less daunting. Azura Bay bring together many different brands from around the globe, so they quickly became my go-to.
2. One stop shop
It’s hard to find lingerie that is comfortable, beautiful, high quality, AND the right fit. When you add ethically made and eco-friendly to the mix, it doesn’t seem hard, it’s seems totally impossible. Fear not! Azura Bay recognise this, and constantly work hard to discover new brands and collections which tick all these boxes and can be found and bought easily on their site. To name a few, Azura Bay stock Cosabelle, Sokoloff, Only Hearts, and Iris London; all brands who create lingerie with people and the planet in mind. Azura Bay bring all their exquisite pieces to one easy to use platform, wa-la!
3. Ethical luxury
Dressing ethically does not have to mean compromising good fashion and luxury products. Azura Bay is an excellent demonstration of this. When people hear ‘ethical’ or ‘fair-trade’ they usually think of ugly tie-dyed shirts and unfitting hippy-looking pants. This is a stereotype from the past, but is still tied to today’s thought patterns. Azura Bay is doing amazing things for the future of ethical fashion and overriding this stereotype. Their lingerie is sexy, affordable, and definitely not a compromise. It is no wonder I often find myself disappointed when I am forced to put clothes on overtop of my beautiful sets.
4. Eco friendly fabrics
Azura Bay do not include brands in their online shop without knowing their fabrics are eco-friendly. For example, PACT products are made from hand-picked organic cotton, free of all the nasties. The cotton farms are farmer-run family cooperatives, and totally fair trade. Californian designed and produced ‘Vitamin A’ create their jersey material from 85% recycled nylon fibre, and Underprotection even use the by-products of the milk industry to create lyocell fabrics!
5. Socially conscious
One of the key things I look for when shopping ethically and weaselling out the ‘green-washing’ from the good, is how each company gives back. Azura Bay already support amazing brands by creating a platform for them to be found. You would think this is enough, but their positive impact certainly doesn’t stop there. A portion of all proceeds go to one of three organisations of the shopper’s choice: Nature Conservancy of Canada, Because I am a Girl, and WWF Canada. Azura Bay care for the environment, women, and wildlife, and they allow you to feel personally involved in supporting these causes too.
The most meaningful parts of an ethical wedding are in the finer details. From borrowed fairy lights to second-hand picnic blankets, the small decisions put the icing on the cake… This time the icing wasn’t on the cake, it was under the dress 😉
