NOLA LONDON | GUEST POST Q&A

The bridesmaid dress hunt can be notoriously difficult at times, but luckily for you, there’s a selection of fabulous, forward-thinking modern bridesmaid brands out there. One of which, is the sustainable, beautifully built bridesmaid label, Nola London. 
 
Arriving into the wedding industry equipped with a selection of stylish, sustainable bridesmaid gowns and accessories in tow, Nola London is a bridesmaid label you need to have on your wedding radar this 2022 and beyond. Not only do they offer beautifully made gowns in varying silhouettes and colours, but they produce their designs in small quantities only (to reduce waste) and have carefully considered their brand’s impact on the environment. This month we caught up with the founders Abi and Sophia to bring you everything from their career backgrounds to their top tips for bridesmaids and favourite celebrity wedding of all time (hint: are you a Bieleber?)… 

 

#1 Tell us a little bit about yourself (we want to know it all - career background, star sign, business name and role - you name it)…

 

Abi: “We are best friends and were each other’s maids of honour at our own weddings. When looking for our own bridesmaid dresses, we wanted to find sustainable dresses that were stylish enough to wear again, and that made ALL of our friends feel confident. We couldn’t find what we were looking for, so decided to utilise my design background and make them ourselves. 

 

I made up a few beautiful, thoughtfully made dresses that each of our friends felt comfortable and beautiful in, and that they wore again and again as occasionwear. This is when Nola London was born.” 

 

Sophia: “We have a combined 30 years experience in fashion buying and designing, working with brands such as Topshop, Urban Outfitters and ASOS. With the knowledge to create flattering dresses, and the desire to produce in a more considered way, creating Nola London has felt like a natural next step for both of us.” 

 

#2 What does your brand offer? 

 

Sophia: “We offer bridesmaids dresses, occasionwear and more casual bridal options for the style and environmentally conscious woman.” 

 

#3 Hit us with your USP:

 

Abi: “Nola London is the modern, sustainable dress brand reimagining the fast-paced nature of fashion and challenges the one-wear mindset of occasion and bridesmaid attire.” 

 

#4 What’s a normal business day include? Is it 9-5? Or more like 6am to pull your hair out/early hours?

 

Sophia: “It sounds a cliché but it’s true - no two days are the same! Whether it’s planning out our social feed, speaking to our manufacturer and suppliers, carrying out customer consultations at our studio or packing boxes, we love the challenges and rewards that Nola brings us.” 

 

#5 Three top tips for bridesmaids with regards to your expertise…GO!

 

Abi: “Think about the bigger picture. The best way to make clothes sustainable is to wear them again and the best way to wear something again is to feel confident and comfortable in it. Make sure you find a dress that makes you feel your best, and that you can enjoy for years to come.” 

 

#6 If you could collaborate with another vendor or brand, who would it be and why?

 

Abi: “Definitely an underwear brand. In line with our values here at Nola, underwear has the ability to make women of all shapes and sizes feel comfortable and confident. To us, the perfect underwear feels like the ultimate compliment to a Nola dress.” 

 

#7 What’s new at your brand? Got anything exciting in the pipeline?

 

Sophia: “Our new collection launches next month and we cannot wait! Keep your eyes peeled for new silhouettes and colourways.” 

 

#8 Where should brides be looking for heart-stopping wedding inspo? 

 

Abi & Sophia: “We think Instagram and Pinterest are the best places for sourcing inspiration. We could scroll for hours!” 

 

#9 A celebrity wedding you loved…GO!

 

Sophia: “Hailey & Justin Bieber!” 

 

#10 Browse the Team Hen site, what would you buy?

 

Abi: “We love all the pretty bride hair accessories – hair bands, slides. We’re a sucker for a girly finishing touch!” 

 

Discover more about Nola London’s beautifully sustainable bridesmaid dress offering. 

 

For more on-point hen party inspiration and advice, head back to the Team Hen blog.