Are you starting to plan your wedding again after the many postponements caused by Covid? Are you planning to have an outdoor wedding and are searching for a bridal gown with a subtle, creative twist? nordeen has you covered! They develop a range of effortlessly luxurious pieces, distinguished by natural environment-friendly materials and subtle yet unexpected details. Their most recent collection, Collection I, embodies ease for the outdoors and is inspired by the peacefulness of a Redwood forest. What’s more interesting is that nordeen prioritizes sustainability and all gowns are ethically sewn and knitted by skilled hands. Check out our interview with the founder of nordeen, Brenna Simmons, to learn more about their elegant wedding attire and the thought process behind making them.

Where are you based?
NYC & LA.

What inspired the creation of nordeen? Can you talk a bit about the brand’s trajectory - how did the idea of sustainable-made bridal gowns come to fruition?
It was my own outdoor elopement in Colorado that inspired the creation of nordeen. Through the difficult process of looking for what I specifically had in mind to wear, I thought to myself, “I can’t be the only one.” With adventure elopements gaining popularity within national parks and public lands, I felt something was missing from the market - attire that would harmonize with, and at the same time, respect the surrounding landscapes.

Why is it important for you to be environmentally friendly?
Fashion is one of the most polluting and exploitative industries. It accounts for billions of carbon emissions, dried up water sources, pollutes rivers and streams, plastic bits in the ocean, astronomical amounts of textile waste, underpaid workers, unsafe working conditions, etc. The list goes on and on, and something needs to change. We have started to see steps being taken within different corners of the industry and now, it’s time for bridal to shift its perspective. While creating such beautiful, coveted pieces, it is crucial to ensure we are not harming the makers or the resources this earth is supplying us with to do so.

Weddings, elopements, and micro ceremonies are occasions that celebrate the love and harmony between two people. It is my belief that everything that makes up this day, including what you wear, should be a reflection of how it makes you feel, where it comes from, what it’s made out of, and who made it. With that, I want to ensure that what I wear on the most important and special day of my life did not come at the expense of the environment or the people who made it. And I hope that other brides would feel the same way.

nordeen has implemented innovative methods to design and create beautiful gowns whilst preserving production integrity. The two essential materials used are Silk and Wool. Can you talk about how these materials are environmentally friendly textiles? How did you decide on your approach to fabrication and textile development?
Sustainability is a multi-faceted concept and there are many ways to approach it, especially when it comes to materials. I opt to approach it by using only natural materials, as these are made from naturally renewable resources and gracefully biodegrade. Therefore, these types of fibers are optimal for the least amount of impact on the environment. The two essential materials I am currently using are silk and wool. Being a lustrous, luxurious natural fiber with a fluid drape, silk is an ideal circular and zero-waste biomaterial. Meaning, it is readily biodegradable after its useful life, going on to transform into useful mulch or compost within a much faster timeframe than most synthetic fibers. In silk production, silkworms munch on leaves from mulberry trees. These trees are generally grown without the use of harmful pesticides or fertilizers on marginal land that cannot be used for other crops. Also a natural fiber, wool is another circular and zero-waste biomaterial. Naturally long-lasting and hard-wearing, it is an ideal material to maintain warmth and withstand outdoor environments.

Are there any plans of incorporating other textiles in the future? If so, what types of textiles and fabrics are you looking to explore?
I am always exploring new materials and seeing what can be made that would be suitable for bridal. You will need to stay tuned for what’s to come!

Jejune learned that suppliers sourced from are held to higher responsible standards and must provide certifications for materials developed. How has the journey been like to source out the existing suppliers? Besides certifications, what does nordeen also look for in new suppliers?
Many of the suppliers I work with are people I’ve worked with for years. They know me from the beginning of my sustainability journey and understand how important it is to me. Besides what fibers the fabrics are actually made from, I also look for mills that care beyond that. They care about how their business runs, and that their facilities function utilizing solar energy and proper water stewardship. They understand responsible production is about having a holistic approach.

On top of that, nordeen is partnering with manufacturers and suppliers that share the same values in fairly treating their workers with respect, which Jejune highly admires. What impact does this value have on your business and the production of gowns? How does nordeen uphold the value of treating workers fairly?
It makes everything more personal. Everything is locally developed with studios located in New York City’s Garment District. I visited every single place, meeting the owners and workers, before deciding who I wanted to work with. Over the course of developing the collection together, we’ve all become actual friends. I’ve grown to deeply care for all of the teams and work hard to maintain strong, trusting relationships with everyone.

Jejune is obsessed with the gowns in Collection I. Can you tell us a little bit about this collection and what inspired you to create it?
Thank you! Each season will be inspired by a specific natural landscape. For Collection I, imagine walking through a forest filled with giant towering trees, the dappled light dancing through the canopy. This collection tells the stories whispered within those woodlands, the strength of the majestic trunks echoed in sturdy, yet slender silhouette shapes. Emphasized by delicate details, each piece is designed to emulate the quiet strength encapsulated within the walls of a Redwood forest.

In your opinion, what is the hardest process about creating this collection and even more so, a sustainable bridal brand? What potential change do you hope to accomplish in the bridal industry?
I would like to make an impact on the importance of consuming responsibly. Even when purchasing something as significant as your wedding attire. While creating such beautiful, coveted pieces, it is crucial to ensure we are not harming the makers or the resources this earth is supplying us with to do so. Weddings, elopements, and micro ceremonies are occasions that celebrate the love and harmony between two people. It is my belief that everything that makes up this day, including what you wear, should be a reflection of how it makes you feel, where it comes from, what it’s made out of, and who made it. With nordeen, I hope to offer attire for your special day that did not come at the expense of the environment or the people who made it.

Right now sustainability is a huge topic and many companies are gearing towards it, especially with the cycles of fast fashion speeding up to the point that they are today. What reliable and transparent changes do you want to see from brands in the coming years to help with sustainability?
Taking things slow and being more mindful. Consumers are no longer shopping as much or as fast as they used to, and more intention is being put into each purchase. If consumers are developing this mindset, shouldn’t brands have the same mindset about their products? We should be more intentional with each product. Does the collection actually need to be this big? Do you really need that additional piece? How can materials be shared across seasons? What kind of material are we using? What does the end of lifecycle look like for this product? How can we prevent something from ending up in a landfill? Brands should be continuously asking themselves questions like these.

The company is built with the commitment to be a responsible and transparent brand. Are there any tips you can give to startups newly entering the sustainable lifecycle? How can startups successfully embody the same mission into their brand as nordeen did?
Don’t be afraid to share resources. There is a huge stigma within the fashion industry around being transparent and sharing suppliers. Companies are afraid other brands will steal their resources. However, the way I see it is helping your suppliers gain more business. If I am open about sharing my resources, someone else might hire the same supplier, helping them generate more profit, and therefore, a better financial backing to have the resources to help develop my collection. Also, more profit means more compensation for employees and a happier mindset all around!

Has the pandemic affected nordeen in any way? If so, how? How has it made your business stronger?
My target markets are those doing elopements and micro weddings, especially those outdoors and in national/public parks. The pandemic made this more prevalent and I’m foreseeing the trend continuing, so it only made sense for me to launch at a time where brides are looking for pieces that make sense with these unconventional wedding events. In addition, being able to show virtually eased a lot of the financial burden for a small brand like me. Not having to worry about a booth in a trade show or putting together a presentation during market was really helpful. I realized a virtual landscape would help give me a better platform to garner attention as a completely new brand, then getting lost in how things might potentially go back to in October.

Lastly, what is your motto in life?
What is meant to happen, will happen.

To keep up with nordeen, make sure to follow her on the following platforms:
www.nordeenbridal.com
Instagram - @nordeenbridal

nordeen Design with Love to Welcome A New Chapter