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NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Wedding industry insiders predict the eco-friendly wedding trend will continue, gathering momentum from such high-profile green weddings as Chelsea Clinton‘s and the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Katie Martin, editor-in-chief of Eco-Beautiful Weddings online magazine and blog, celebrated the publication’s first anniversary with an event that included a runway show of the new Fireflies Collection from The Cotton Bride. Chris Kole, designer of The Cotton Bride, works primarily in a range of cotton fabrics sourced from around the globe. The Fireflies Collection was inspired by an ethereal cotton gauze from Italy that Kole describes as “magical.”

The event, sponsored in part by Cotton Incorporated, also launched the “Are You A Cotton Bride?” contest, presented by Eco-Beautiful Weddings and The Cotton Bride. To enter the contest, brides-to-be must visit the Eco-Beautiful blog and describe the reasons that they are a cotton bride. Three winners will be selected to receive a custom-tailored bridal gown from The Cotton Bride.

Cotton could be poised to be the fabric of green weddings, especially considering the notable environmental gains the U.S. cotton industry has made in recent years. Reduced pesticide applications, more efficient water use and other aspects of modern cotton farming have significantly reduced its environmental impact.  Consumers would likely be receptive to cotton bridal gowns. Responses to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ consumer survey show that more than half of women think fiber choice is an important factor in selecting a wedding dress; and 70% would consider choosing a wedding gown made of cotton.