Together with Radiant Matter, Stella McCartney debuted the world’s first garment crafted from BioSequins in the April 2023 cover story of American Vogue – photographed by the legendary Annie Leibovitz on model, eco-activist and House friend Cara Delevingne. BioSequins are plastic-free, biodegradable and non-toxic, innovated from plant-derived cellulose – using no metals, minerals or synthetic pigments or colorants.
“It is so special to see how Stella McCartney has worked with our BioSequins to bring them to life on this beautiful jumpsuit. We have loved her uncompromising approach to sustainability and aesthetics, which are reflected in any decision, down to the fabric and thread choice, resulting in a stunning yet fully plant-derived garment. We are delighted to partner in creating this innovative piece and the opportunity to showcase it on American Vogue,” said Elissa Brunato, Founder of Radiant Matter. Every fabric that sparkles, glitters or has a reflective property contains a high percentage of petroleum plastic, toxic coatings or metallised parts. Conventional sequins are made of polyester film (Mylar) or vinyl (PVC), which cause particularly significant environmental and health risks – producing toxic, bio-accumulative chemicals, including carcinogens, such as phthalates and hormone disruptors.
The fashion industry as a whole continues to be one of the biggest contributors to the world’s plastic consumption problem. According to the United Nations, 70 million barrels of oil are used to make polyester and other synthetic fibers annually. A study by Oxfam showed that British women purchase 33 million sequined garments every festive season – with 1.7 million ending up in landfill, after only five wears. This moves from waste stores to waterways, with 35% of microplastics released into the world’s oceans coming from synthetic clothing (EEA). Stella McCartney has proudly been a PVC-free brand since 2010. In the Stella vision, they hope to soon only use recycled, recyclable and biobased alternatives, creating a more conscious future of fashion.
Images courtesy of Stella McCartney
