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Story of Sequins

When it comes to sparkles there's not much that can compare with the timeless sequin. Those tiny light catching discs have signified glamour and prestige for literally thousands of years. The joy of sequins is in the boldness and that enduring spirit is a quality that can find a place and meaning in any era.

 

Short History ....

The earliest recorded appearance of sequins can be traced back to Ancient Egypt. When the tomb of King Tutankhamun was discovered, untouched since 1341 BC, gold sequin like discs were found sewn into the Pharaoh's garments.  Since all the early sequins were made of gold they quickly became synonymous with money and wealth and were being sewn onto garments in cultures all over the world. The word 'Sequin' comes from the Arabic word for coin 'Sikka'.

 

Why we love them ....

Researchers have found that both humans and animals alike (not just magpies!), are naturally drawn to sparkly objects. But why? Well, because the 'shine' resembles water and water sparkles when the rays of sun hit it. Since water is a vital resource for survival it taps back into our primal instincts and this attraction has carried over into modern times triggering a fascination and attraction with all things sparkly and shiny.

 

The Power of Sequins ...

We are all familiar with the concept that the clothes we wear can have the power to affect our mood and that certain colours and fabrics help release our feel good hormones. 

Extensive research has been done into how our emotions and confidence levels correlate with the clothing we happen to be wearing.

 

And guess what? Sequins make you feel good!!! 

 

It's almost impossible not to feel the thrill and exhilaration of wearing those fabulous light reflective twinkly discs! Shimmying along clad in sequins has the power to boost our mood, boost our confidence and attract attention and interaction. Sequins can lift us up and empower us to be joyful when things my be dull, grim or just plain ordinary. The ultimate tool in our wardrobe kit bag for 'Dopamine Dressing'  and dressing for joy should be ignored at our peril!

 

However, all that glitters isn't necessarily gold. Unfortunately below the shine is a rather darker underside.

 

Environmental issues...

The problem is sequins are usually made from Petroleum based plastics. Not only can these contain toxic chemicals but the composition does not allow them to biodegrade meaning when discarded, they will lay in landfill for thousands of years. Clearly the continued production of traditional sequinned fabrics and clothing has a really negative impact on the environment and is not sustainable.

 

Horror stories ....

 

According to a 2019 study by Oxfam *; 

  • The 2019 party season saw British women purchase £33million worth of sequined garments and accessories 

  • 70% of women surveyed said they'd buy something new that season despite already owning sequinned partywear 

  • Only a quarter of women surveyed were certain they'd wear that outfit again

  • 1.7 million pieces of sequined clothing and accessories will end up in landfill, as 5% admit they throw out their sequins once they're finished with them.

*(Research of 2000 women aged 18-55)

 

Whilst there could eventually be some biodegradable innovations on the horizon they are still not commercially available at scale. The desire for sequinned goods shows no sign of waning so then the next best bet for retailers is in sourcing recycled sequins and to encourage customers to re-wear, re-use and keep them for life. 

 

 

What can we do with sequins already in circulation....

We can upcycle , re-purpose and refashion these beauties to give them a new lease of life!

 

'Refashioning' refers to clothing and other textiles that are re-used, resold or somehow completely reimagined into any new item we can enjoy! It's not a new concept, Afterall we've been thrifting, mending, swapping and embellishing our clothes for centuries but climate change in addition to the pandemic and a global economic crunch has focused the spotlight on 'circular fashion'. Giving a second life to an otherwise unwanted or unused garment contributes to the reduction of textile waste and lessons the demand for new materials.

 

The upcycling trend is gaining momentum, driven by a desire to reduce our environmental footprint and make more conscious fashion choices. The global resale (or second-hand) clothing industry is expected to grow from $96 Billion in 2021 to $218 Billion in 2026 outpacing the growth trajectory of traditional retail apparel according to a World Economic Forum Report.

 

Sequinned garments languishing in the back of our closets, waiting for their next special occasion, are absolutely ideal for the eco-friendly trend of re-fashioning.  By repurposing we get not only to preserve stunningly beautiful pieces, but instead of waiting for special occasions we get to experience the joy they bring every single day!

 

The sequin Sisterhood's mood boosting bags are the perfect example! Portable pockets of joy you can use everyday to elevate your outfit and boost your mood. Sustainable, useable and down right fabulous!  

Designer sequin dress
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