TWC Takeover: Bridal Sustainability with Sabina Motasem
Creating beautiful clothes with beautiful ethics.
We are purpose-driven from the ground up, crafting minimalist chic pieces from the finest natural fabrics, while we upcycle fabric off-cuts into valuable donated items to charities. Our uncompromising 360-degree approach to absolutely everything from sustainability to aesthetics, means we are leaving no stone unturned. At Sabina Motasem, we believe transparency is everything and beautiful design should always be made with beautiful ethics.
Here’s what makes us really sustainable…
Designed + proudly made in London
We’ve proudly made all our dresses locally since day one. Every piece is made-to-order at an atelier near our Dalston studio, where working conditions are ethical, flexible and safe – with no-one paid below the London Living Wage.
Natural, sustainable fabrics
– Undyed natural silk from Italy – biodegradable and REACH compliant
– Plant-based silks made from circular viscose and cupro – certified by GRS, OEKO-TEX and the European Vegetarian Union
– Deadstock natural fabrics from trusted suppliers in Italy and Greece
– GOTS-certified cotton thread in all sewing
Zero waste approach
– Off-cuts are saved and are beautifully repurposed into:
– 102 baby clothes for AFRIL + Cornerstone Baby Bank. Read more here on AFRIL. Read more here on Cornerstone.
– 16 workwear tops for Smart Works.
– 1,386 scrubs + 4,000 masks donated to NHS key workers.
– Donating smaller off-cuts to FibreLab so they can convert this into paper.
Supporting a year of school
We’ve also donated old samples to Brides Do Good, supporting education for girls at risk of child marriage. Funds raised from the donated samples, will support a year of school for over 150 girls at risk of early marriage. Read more here.
Naturally dyed + plant powered
We’re collaborating with Ceres Dye Studio in London to develop champagne gold plant silks dyed with avocado and pomegranate seeds, which are under slips that go under our Wild Rose and Mystic Rose dresses. We also offer advice on where to naturally dye wedding dress after the big day too – without the harmful chemicals. Read more here.
Slow, size-inclusive fashion
Our dresses are always made-to-order and never mass produced. We offer sizes 8–22 and can make to measure too. Most studio samples are size 10, with a few in 14 and 16 – and we’re always happy to recommend the best underwear for every size.
Ethical from thread to tag
Everything is carefully considered:
– GOTS-certified eco-friendly care labels with sustainable water inks
– Organic cotton woven garment covers – no plastic zips
– Recycled + recyclable Kraft board packaging
– Studio supplies from The Bower Collective, Stone Mini Market, and Who Gives A Crap
– Vintage furniture + even dried wedding flowers from the founders own wedding in the studio
Designed to be worn again
All our dresses are thoughtfully designed so they can be upcycled after the wedding day. We can recommend amazing seamstresses to transform your gown into something new.
Recognised for doing good
We’ve proudly won Best Bridalwear Brand at the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards in both 2022 & 2023.
Supporting women + communities
Whether it’s flexible hours for working mums at our atelier, or creative workshops with the Stone Mini Market, we’re proud to support local women and communities at every step.
We don’t use unpaid interns – everyone is paid fairly. We believe ethical fashion starts with how people are treated.
Emissions + low impact
We reduce emissions by:
– Keeping everything local – our studio is a short bike or tube ride to the atelier
– Using electric couriers
– Choosing silk (which uses far less water than cotton and is pesticide-free)
– Bulk buying to avoid excess shipping
– Using an atelier who makes our dresses who uses 100% renewable energy (via SSE Energy)
Transparency + accountability
– We personally visit our atelier several times a week
– Our atelier is in the process of gaining certification, as requested by multiple brands (including us!)
– We’re currently applying for official sustainability accreditations
About Sabina Motasem
Sabina Motasem is a London-based bridalwear brand known for its timeless, minimalist style and strong commitment to sustainability.
Founded in 2007 by designer Sabina Motasem, a multi-disciplined designer from the fashion and graphics worlds, created a wedding dress as a gift for a friend. The brand quickly grew into a sought-after name in minimalist, timelessly chic bridal fashion. Sabina showcased her first collection during Off-Schedule London Fashion Week in 2008 and was later selected for a place on the New Scholarship Programme to develop key styles like the Josephine and Elsa dresses.
Sabina Motasem has shown at the Zandra Rhodes Textile Museum, participated in the Innovation for Growth programme at the British Library, and was mentored by the late Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop about all things sustainable.
Each piece is still proudly made in London using the finest natural fabrics. We’ve always believed that true luxury is about more than beauty – it’s about ethics, responsibility and longevity too. We design dresses to be worn, loved and reimagined again and again.
Sabina’s designs are now available in our No.4 Knightsbridge showroom.
Images:
Body: Sabina Motasem
Header: Dan Wil Photo