When a wedding dress is not just for getting married: the sustainable approach of a designer from Palma

PalmWedding dresses can also be sustainable, modular, and have a life beyond the big day. This is the proposal with which Mallorcan designer Carme Vidal debuts in the bridal sector with Mon Cor, a collection that champions "simplicity, versatility, and mindful consumption." Designed and made entirely in Palma, the line argues that "getting married and being true to yourself, to your own values, are not incompatible concepts." In statements to ARA Baleares, Vidal explains that the initiative stems from the difficulty of finding wedding dresses with which she feels a connection. "The market is saturated with princess-style dresses, very far removed from my style and what I understand as authenticity," she points out. The lack of role models was the impetus that drove her to create her own proposal, deeply rooted in Mallorca, which has been her main source of inspiration. "I wanted to recreate the natural world and connect with its roots: the countryside, the landscape, the traditions, and everyday life," she explains.

According to a report on sustainability in the bridal industry by Gitnux, a market research company, the production of a single wedding dress uses, on average, more than 9,000 liters of water. The same study indicates that an average wedding generates approximately 63 tons of CO₂ emissions and produces nearly 200 kg of waste. In this context, Vidal explains that sustainability is one of Mon Cor's core principles and permeates the entire collection, both in the design concept and in the way the wedding dress is conceived. The garments are designed to move away from the "usual ephemeral nature" of this type of attire and advocate for a different way of consuming: "More conscious, more durable, and more connected to everyday life." The use of organic fabrics and the constant presence of craftsmanship and elements of Mallorcan textile tradition reinforce the "commitment to the region and to responsible production."

In Spain, the average price of a wedding dress is between 1,700 and 2,150 euros for the models prêt-à-porter According to this newspaper's research on leading online retailers, the price of a custom-made dress ranges from €1,800 to €4,000, although there is no upper limit in this area. Vidal explains that the other pillar of the collection is the modular concept, which allows dresses to be constructed from separate, combinable garments. This makes it possible to adapt the same dress to different moments of the wedding day—the ceremony, the luncheon, or the reception—and also to reuse it afterward in everyday life. In this way, she explains, the wedding dress ceases to be a disposable garment and becomes "a transformable ensemble with continuity over time," which reduces waste and gives "a new life to each design, beyond the wedding." Thus, in addition to being "more sustainable and generating less waste," the dress ceases to be an ephemeral garment and becomes "a living memory that can accompany the bride" in other moments of her life.

The atelier's first bridal collection comprises six dresses and seven garments that interact with each other through a modular design. Waistbands, capes, sleeves, and tops allow each ensemble to be transformed and reused on other occasions, moving away from the disposable dress. "I strive to make each garment comfortable, natural, and timeless, avoiding fleeting trends," explains Vidal, who is committed to bespoke creations and small, local productions. Her belief in authenticity ensures that each design is unique: "Every bride has her own essence, and my goal is to create pieces that embrace and enhance it, without disguising it."

Vidal has always thought that "spending a fortune on a dress is a waste," especially when it often ends up being a piece you don't feel connected to. "You can't go on your wedding day looking more like a costume than a dress," she remarks. This act of millennial rebellion was the turning point that shaped the collection. "Get married, yes, but do it consciously," she summarizes.

Designs from Carme Vidal's workshop

The collection is rounded out with separates such as sleeves, blouses, capes, and coats, reinforcing this functional and reusable take on the wedding dress. Mon Cor will be on display at the new showroom Carme Vidal Atelier will open its doors on February 12th at 3 Francesc Sancho Street in Palma. The space is designed to offer a close and personalized experience, true to the artisanal and conscious spirit that defines the brand. "The most important thing is the client," says Vidal, who acknowledges that, after years working as a dressmaker and pattern maker, making the leap to bridal fashion also carries an emotional weight: "I like knowing that, in some way, I'm part of such a special day."