Kindred of Ireland Unveils “Behold” - A Modern Ode to Heritage in Bridalwear

When Kindred of Ireland first launched in 2019, the Belfast-based label quickly became known for reimagining Irish linen with a contemporary spirit. What began as ready-to-wear collections rooted in heritage craftsmanship soon evolved into something more intimate: bespoke bridal commissions that spoke directly to women seeking timeless, meaningful alternatives to the traditional gown. Now, with the unveiling of Behold, Kindred steps into a new chapter: its first full bridal collection. The line carries the same reverence for heritage techniques, from beetled linen to hand-crocheted lace, but is marked by modern ease and intention. Designed for brides who value independence, authenticity, and garments that live beyond a single day, Behold is as much about legacy as it is about style.

What follows is a conversation with Amy Anderson, Founder and Creative Director of Kindred of Ireland about the inspirations behind Behold, the evolving identity of today’s bride, and how sustainability, craftsmanship, and community remain woven into the brand’s very fabric.

"Behold" is such a striking name for a collection! Can you tell us what inspired the name and the ethos behind your inaugural bridal line?

Launching a full bridal collection was a significant moment for Kindred of Ireland. Until now, we had only offered bespoke bridalwear—something we were honoured to create, but could only offer to a handful of brides each year because of how intensive the process was. Despite this, we had already worked with over 20 bespoke brides, and at least that again had chosen to wear one of our ready-to-wear pieces on their wedding day.

We were getting requests almost daily for bridal commissions, so it felt time to make that offering more widely available. The name “Behold” felt right for the moment—a way of announcing this step forward with intention. It also nods to our roots in Irish linen and craftsmanship. There’s something sacred and reverent about the word, and we wanted to honour the heritage that underpins this collection while also marking a bold new chapter.

Your transition into bridalwear began organically through custom requests. How did those early commissions shape the final vision of this ready-to-wear collection?

Hugely. Being so close to our bespoke brides gave us a deep understanding of what our customer is really looking for. It’s rarely about the big princess dress—it’s about relaxed elegance, about feeling like yourself, and often about wanting to wear the piece again. These women are thoughtful, intentional, and want a garment that has life beyond just one day.

The collection reflects those values—separates, fluid silhouettes, wearable shapes. It was shaped by listening to our brides and learning what felt meaningful to them.

Irish linen carries centuries of tradition. What made you feel it was the right time, and the right material, to reinterpret this heritage for bridalwear?

Irish linen has always been at the heart of Kindred—it’s our starting point for everything. From the beginning, we envisioned a bridal line, but it wasn’t something we wanted to rush. We wanted time to really push the boundaries of the material, and to do justice to its heritage.

We worked closely with our mills to experiment with new ways of weaving, to develop linen with more volume, more structure—qualities you wouldn’t normally associate with the fabric. We also leaned into historic techniques like beetling and handcrafted Irish linen crochet, but reimagined them through a modern lens. The result is a collection that feels both deeply rooted in tradition and unmistakably contemporary.

Irish linen carries centuries of tradition. What made you feel it was the right time, and the right material, to reinterpret this heritage for bridalwear?

Irish linen has always been at the heart of Kindred—it’s our starting point for everything. From the beginning, we envisioned a bridal line, but it wasn’t something we wanted to rush. We wanted time to really push the boundaries of the material, and to do justice to its heritage.

We worked closely with our mills to experiment with new ways of weaving, to develop linen with more volume, more structure—qualities you wouldn’t normally associate with the fabric. We also leaned into historic techniques like beetling and handcrafted Irish linen crochet, but reimagined them through a modern lens. The result is a collection that feels both deeply rooted in tradition and unmistakably contemporary.

Given the intentional feel behind the interplay of structure and softness in your designs, how did you strike the balance between comfort, craftsmanship, and couture?

We design with movement and ease in mind—our bride should feel beautiful, but never restricted. The goal was to bring together structure and softness in a way that felt effortless.

Our new linen base fabrics gave us more control over volume and tailoring, and pairing that with soft details—like crochet lace, bias cuts, and draped bows—let us build garments that hold their shape while feeling fluid and wearable. Craftsmanship underpins it all, but never at the expense of comfort.

The collection introduces woven linen that mimics knitwear and handcrafted crochet lace. How did these textile innovations come about, and what do they add emotionally or visually to the garments?

The idea was to explore the full potential of Irish linen—beyond just the crisp shirting fabric most people associate with it. The value of focusing entirely on one fabric, is that we go really deep with our explorations and innovations.

So we worked closely with our mills and local artisans to develop a linen with stretch and softness, inspired by knitwear, and to revive traditional linen crochet lace in a modern context.

These elements bring warmth, intimacy, and emotion to the garments. The crochet, in particular, feels deeply human—it’s slow, delicate, and full of character. It adds a layer of storytelling that brides really respond to.

Who is the Kindred bride in your eyes? What kind of woman did you have in mind while designing this collection?

The Kindred bride is independent, understated, and intentional. She’s not looking to play a part—she wants to feel like herself. She values heritage and craftsmanship, but also style and wearability. She’s just as likely to get married in a garden or at home with close friends as she is in a traditional setting. I think we are aware that Kindred bride knows herself, her style, her values, and is confident in putting these on full display on her wedding day.

She’s quietly bold, and she knows exactly what she wants to carry with her into this next chapter.

What do you think today’s brides are seeking in their bridalwear that traditional gowns might not be offering?

Freedom. Freedom to move, to rewear, to choose something that reflects their personal style and values.

There’s a shift happening—from performative wedding dressing to personal, expressive dressing. Brides are moving away from stiff, formal gowns in favour of softness, structure, and modern femininity—pieces that are elegant but not overly precious, and that tell a story beyond the wedding day. Ultimately, brides are wanting their wedding dresses to reflect their own values and story, as well as be a beautiful piece for the day.

Beetling, crochet lace, and small-batch production all suggest a deep reverence for heritage. How do you balance honouring the past while creating something contemporary?

By working with heritage techniques not as museum pieces, but as a living, evolving part of our design language. Everything in this collection was created with intention—from sourcing fabrics from local mills to working with craftspeople who still practise traditional techniques.

But the silhouettes, the colour choices, and the styling are all rooted in today. That balance—between reverence and reinvention—is what Kindred has always been about.

Kindred has always placed sustainability at the heart of your practice. What does “sustainable bridalwear” mean to you, and how do you (if at all) hope it reshapes the industry?

To us, sustainable bridalwear means wearable bridalwear. It means creating pieces that are made to last—both in their construction and in their relevance.

Everything in Behold is made-to-order, locally produced, and designed to be reworn. We’re not interested in dresses that only have one day of life in them. Brides are increasingly rejecting that mindset too—and we hope that, in time, the industry continues to embrace slower, more intentional fashion at every level.

Your partnership with Flourish NI brings a powerful social element to the collection. Can you tell us more about the Sew and Skill programme?

Our collaboration with Flourish NI is one of the most meaningful aspects of this collection. Through their Sew and Skill programme, we’ve been able to provide training and income to survivors of human trafficking here in Ireland. This is something which both our founders had deep passions for before they started the brand. Fashion is, sadly, one of the biggest contributors to human trafficking and exploitation, and Kindred seeks to walk in the opposite spirit.

It’s a small but powerful way to make our production process more human-centred. Embedding purpose into the business isn’t just important to us—it’s essential. If we’re going to honour heritage and community in our storytelling, we have to do that behind the scenes too, in terms of how we work with people, skills and our community.

Where do you see the greatest opportunity or shift happening in the bridalwear industry today?

The biggest shift is happening around non-traditional bridalwear. Brides are embracing separates, colour, and even pieces that aren’t technically “bridal” at all. There’s a strong move towards garments that align with personal values—whether that’s supporting local makers, choosing natural fibres, or investing in something that can be worn again.

The days of buying a dress that’s worn once and hidden away forever are fading. Brides are looking for meaning, wearability, and individuality.

Have you noticed any growing trends or demands in what modern brides are looking for—whether in silhouette, sustainability, or sentiment?

Yes—particularly in silhouette. Brides are increasingly drawn to modern femininity—something soft and romantic, but not overly tight or traditionally structured. Think flowing skirts, subtle details, elegant bows, and unexpected textures.

They want to feel beautiful, but also comfortable, and to choose something that speaks to them—not just to tradition. The emotional connection to the garment matters just as much as the aesthetic.

Every piece in ‘Behold’ is made to order—what is the typical process like for a bride who wants to shop with Kindred?

It begins with exploration. Brides can browse the full collection online, and from there, they can either place an order directly or get in touch with us for styling advice or bespoke adjustments. Because everything is made-to-order, there’s a lead time of around 6–8 weeks, and we’re always here to support brides through sizing, fit, and fabric questions. 

All bridal pieces are handmade by our expert bridal seamstress in Belfast.

We also offer bridal appointments at our Belfast studio, where brides can try on pieces and experience the collection in person.

For someone discovering Kindred’s bridalwear for the first time, where is the best place to begin exploring the collection or starting their journey with you?

Our website is the best starting point—you’ll find the full collection, detailed sizing, FAQs, and inspiration there. If something speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you directly—whether it’s to book an appointment, request fabric swatches, or talk through ideas.aaWe want this to be a collaborative and considered process, just like the collection itself.