Oxfam Ireland Homepage
  • 3 mins read time
  • Published: 10th June 2021
  • Blog by Joanne O'Connor

What a perfect partnership! Lorraine Keane and Maïa Dunphy team up for Oxfam Bridal

16 June 2021

Want to find a beautiful wedding dress that doesn’t cost the earth? Then book yourself an appointment at Oxfam’s Bridal rooms in Dublin and Belfast.

At Oxfam Bridal, you’ll find wedding dresses for all tastes, whether you prefer vintage, designer or pre-loved. Many of the dresses have never been worn but are donated by bridal boutiques or designers, preventing them from going to landfill. So, if shopping on a budget, you could find your dream dress at a fraction of the cost.

You’ll also find some beautiful pre-loved dresses in the mix, like Maïa Dunphy’s stunning Jenny Packham dress, which she generously donated to Oxfam last year, or Lorraine Keane's beautiful lace detailed dress by Spanish designer Jesus Peiro, which she bought in San Sebastián.

And yesterday the pair donned their dresses once more time to encourage brides-to-be to book an appointment at Oxfam Bridal.

Lorraine Keane and Maïa Dunphy donated their wedding dresses to Oxfam

Lorraine, broadcaster and founder of Fashion Relief with Oxfam Ireland, said: “Your wedding day is a time to celebrate love, happiness and a future together. For many couples, incorporating some sustainable elements or charitable giving into their special day is becoming more popular. It's a great way to have a positive impact on the future of others while you celebrate your love and commitment to that special someone in your life.

“You also don’t have to spend a fortune to look a million dollars. By booking an appointment with Oxfam Bridal today, you can browse and try on a selection of beautiful brand new and pre-loved wedding dresses – including my own, which I just donated to Oxfam! From vintage to the occasional designer gown, Oxfam’s dedicated Bridal Rooms stock all styles and sizes – a selection of which are currently on display at the Frascati Centre in Blackrock – as well a range of bridal accessories and bridesmaids' dresses. And, the extra bonus is, by supporting Oxfam, your big day creates a brighter future for people living with the injustice of poverty.”

Broadcaster and writer Maïa, who recently donated her wedding dress, said: "After wearing my dress during lockdown, to raise a smile and funds for a charity close to my heart, I realised there's no point in keeping my gorgeous Jenny Packham wedding dress locked away in a bag forever. I'm never going to wear it again and feared one day I'll take it down for a peek to find a moth hole in it!

After seeing a call out from Lorraine for donations I decided to donate it, hoping that someone else will get as much joy as I did out of wearing something so special. I would encourage other people out there to consider the same. You can give your wedding dress a second life – and contribute to another Bride’s special day – while also helping vulnerable communities the world over by donating your wedding dress to Oxfam's Bridal Rooms.
Photos: Brian McEvoy

Oxfam Bridal are located on George’s Street, Dublin, and at Belfast’s CastleCourt Shopping Centre. Over the coming weeks, you can also check out a selection of Oxfam's wedding dresses at the Frascati Shopping centre in Blackrock, where you’ll find fabulous outfits for amazing prices at Lorraine's Fashion Relief pop-up shop.

Book your appointment for Oxfam Bridal at George’s Street or CastleCourt today!