What Does a Vegan Wedding Dress Actually Mean?
Updated: Sep 27
No silk, no leather, no fur, no feathers — and absolutely no compromise on beauty. What cruelty-free bridal couture is, and why it has always been the only way we work.
The word "vegan" has become more familiar in fashion over recent years, but in bridal it is still relatively rare — and often misunderstood. So let us be very clear about what it means at Edwina O'Gorman Bridal.
A vegan wedding dress is made without animal-derived materials. At Edwina O’Gorman Bridal, that means no silk, leather, fur, feathers or other animal-derived fabrics. Our cruelty-free approach reflects a commitment to animal welfare and choosing animal-free materials for our gowns.
That has long been our standard. And it will never change.
What Is Not in Our Gowns
No silk. Silk is produced by boiling silkworm cocoons — killing the pupae inside. It is one of the most commonly used fabrics in bridal and one we have never used. The alternatives we work with are every bit as beautiful, and often more so.
No leather. No leather detailing, no leather-backed buttons, no leather accessories of any kind. Not ever, not as an exception, not because a bride requested it.
No fur. We do not use real fur or fur trim in our gowns. Animal-free alternatives offer other ways to bring warmth or texture to a bridal look.
No feathers. No feather embellishment, no down, no bird-derived materials in any form. This applies to every element of every gown we make.
No animal glues. Traditional adhesives used in garment construction sometimes contain animal-derived ingredients. Ours do not.
What Is in Our Gowns
Carefully selected fabrics that are luxurious, ethical, and chosen with the same care as every other decision we make. Edwina spends considerable time sourcing materials that meet her exacting standards — for quality, for drape, for how they move and flow, and for what went into making them.
Animal-free materials leave room for beautiful texture, movement and detail. Edwina chooses fabrics for how they work with each design, with comfort and the feeling of the finished gown in mind.
Why This Matters to Us
We love Nature. The natural world is not a backdrop to us. It is home. And it has always felt completely at odds with the idea of drawing daily inspiration from Nature while disregarding the beings who share it with us.
We also believe, simply, that animals deserve our protection. It is something we have always felt deeply and personally, and it shapes every decision we make in our studio.
For Brides Who Care About This
Whether you are vegan or not — you have found the right designer.
Every gown in our collection is vegan. If you have questions about a particular fabric or detail, please ask us—we want you to feel informed and comfortable with your choice.
Our vegan wedding dresses are designed by Irish designer Edwina O’Gorman and made to your measurements. Choosing animal-free materials is one part of our values; environmental sustainability is a separate question, which we explore in our article on the Forest of Love and our environmental commitments.
Find Your Vegan Wedding Dress in Dublin
Explore the collection with Edwina at our showroom at 40/41 Dame Street, Dublin 2. Visits take place on Saturdays, by confirmed appointment only.
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