Sustainability, ethics, environment are words, but above all they are concepts of our time. Based on them, people talk, design, and create.

We are faced with what we might call a new green consciousness that is influencing every aspect of our life and that also involves, of course, weddings and their rituals.

There is growing attention to the topic and small steps that mark a new awareness. Not only the discovery of natural fabrics and new fibres, such as those made from milk and eucalyptus, not only the utmost attention to “no waste” which in the case of the ateliers translates into rationalising cutting as much as possible, so that as little fabric as possible is wasted, but also the rediscovery of historical traditions and processes that would otherwise be lost. Now companies are trying to think more and more along these lines and respond to a generation that is more sensitive to and involved in responsible resource management: Pronovias and Nicole have launched “Second Life”, an unprecedented circular fashion program.

The bride will be able to wear her dress, reinterpreted, more than once. Alessandra Rinaudo, chief creative director of Pronovias and Nicole Milano has designed 70 dresses and thought about their subsequent evolution so that they can be born a second time. The transformation, tailored and free of charge, is available immediately after the wedding. A smart answer to the “second hand” that for brides, for various reasons, never took off. But attention is not only paid to the dress. One can design a ceremony making sure to choose seasonal and locally produced flowers, avoiding waste in storage and transportation.

The ceremony and celebrations can be held in nearby place, a zero-mileage menu (Charles of England and the Prince of Monaco were supporters of this at their wedding) and, if necessary, agreements can be reached with “no-waste” associations so that food not consumed is not thrown away. Consider natural light as much as possible, invitations made of recycled paper, wedding favours that are an act of charity or that invite to plant seeds, silent fireworks that do not scare pets and animals. Small steps that are the sign of a new awareness that has an even greater value if it is the promise of a new life.

Giuliana Parabiago