Caroline Arthur on Her New Bridal Book, RELOVABLE, and FTCT Partnership

We were delighted to sit down with Caroline Arthur, a renowned wedding dress designer, to discuss her partnership with FTCT on her new project, RELOVABLE, a bridal book dedicated to up-cycling wedding dresses.

In this Q&A session, Caroline shares insights into the book, her motivations, and the synergies between her mission and FTCT.

One of the many reasons we are excited about this partnership is the generous commitment from Caroline Arthur to donate 10% of the cover price of RELOVABLE to the FTCT. Our charity’s goal is to ensure that no child within our industry is left behind due to financial difficulties. Find out more.

FTCT: Caroline, would you like to introduce the project and tell us a little bit about RELOVABLE?

Caroline: RELOVABLE was the book I had always wanted to write, inspired by my two-decade-long career as a wedding dress designer. Over the years, countless brides asked me what others did with their wedding dresses after the big day, and this sparked my passion for up-cycling and reusing these precious garments. Sustainability has become an increasingly significant topic, and I realised I needed to adapt my practices to reflect these values. The book is a practical guide for brides who want to repurpose their wedding dresses, and I hope it also encourages them to think about sustainability in other areas of their lives.

FTCT: When did you first decide you wanted a charity partner for the project?

Caroline: Almost as soon as I began writing the book, I felt a strong urge to involve the community. I reached out to the bridal industry for support, and the response was overwhelming. People offered their time, skills, and resources for free, which was incredibly heartwarming. This collective effort made me realise that the project should give back to the industry that had supported it so generously. Partnering with a charity felt like a natural progression, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the project.

FTCT: Why did you choose FTCT as the charity to support through RELOVABLE?

Caroline Arthur: FTCT is a charity that is very close to my heart. I’ve known about the organisation since I started my business 20 years ago, and I deeply appreciate its simplicity and direct impact. FTCT provides essential support to families in the UK fashion and textile industry, a cause I can relate to personally. As a small charity, FTCT operates with a lean approach, ensuring that donations go straight to those in need, such as providing school shoes or helping with household bills. This transparency and efficiency resonated with me, and I knew FTCT was the perfect partner for RELOVABLE.

FTCT: What impact would you like to see as a result of RELOVABLE’s partnership with FTCT?

Caroline: I would love to see greater awareness of FTCT within the bridal and fashion industries. Many people I’ve spoken to weren’t yet aware of the charity, but I know that FTCT could be a lifeline for them at some point in their careers. Additionally, I hope RELOVABLE sparks a broader conversation about up-cycling within the bridal industry. There’s a strong correlation between the prices we pay for clothes and the need for charities like FTCT. In an ideal world, FTCT wouldn’t need to exist, but until that day comes, raising awareness about its work is crucial.

FTCT: What encouragement would you give to other companies or organisations considering working with FTCT?

Caroline: I would highly recommend FTCT to any business, particularly small ones. The charity’s hands-on approach makes it an ideal partner. The process of establishing our partnership turned out to be an enlightening journey. It made me reflect on my values and beliefs as a business owner. As a charity, the FTCT fits very beautifully into the jigsaw of business life and in my opinion creates a circularity between the community of businesses and makers within our industry. I think they represent something we are all looking for within fashion and textiles, a sense of connection and community.

RELOVABLE can be purchased directly from Caroline Arthur’s website, where you can use the special discount code FTCT10 to get free p&p plus ensure that FTCT will get the full 10% donation. Buy your copy now.

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If your company is considering partnering with us, please contact us here

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