At an occasion for a big, excessive road model earlier this season, I used to be appalled by the sheer quantity of social gathering clothes comprised of plastic. So many sequins! An over-abundance of polyester and glossy metallic PVC – or is that known as pleather now? No matter. It’s sizzling and sweaty and I wouldn’t have worn it in my 20s, not to mention the menopausal years. There gave the impression to be an entire disconnect between the corporate’s sustainability coverage and its merchandise. OK, it was M&S… Clearly, the festive season is the time for mulled wine, mince pies and Peak Greenwashing.
‘ We’ve by no means finished sequins. As a result of each piece of plastic ever produced continues to be on this planet,’ Jo Hooper founder and CEO of NRBY tells me over the telephone. Commendable. Maybe it’s simpler for small, unbiased corporations to regulate material content material and sustainability coverage? I’ve labored for plenty of excessive road manufacturers over time (writing content material for web sites; admittedly not just lately) and there’s a ‘turning the (oil) tanker-feel’ to the quantity of forms concerned in even the smallest job or resolution. However, Boden went glitter and sequin-free in 2021 – let’s hope that Johnnie ditches the polyester, subsequent – citing analysis into the excessive stage of microplastic particles in our oceans.
So, it’s greenwashing and pure greed that hold plastic garments in an enormous, style model’s assortment.
The Jo costume in damson from NRBY.
In line with the Draper’s characteristic (on Boden’s sequin-free stance):
‘A examine from Anglia Ruskin College, revealed within the Journal of Hazardous Supplies in 2020, discovered that glitter affected the expansion of pond crops and microscopic algae.
Sequins are comprised of petroleum-based plastics that break down into microfibres and wash into our waterways, including to the trillions of particles of microplastics in our oceans.’
Each social gathering season, I carry out one in every of my previous Lurex knits or a classic social gathering piece from my wardrobe; I’m not virtue-signalling, I wish to put on what I already personal. A couple of years in the past, I ended shopping for sequins and I do know lots of TNMA readers have taken an identical method. That’s to not say I’m excellent, I like garments and it’s beautiful to have one thing new. However as of late, I at all times test the label and attempt to go for pure fibres as a lot as doable. Which is why I’ll select silk velvet, not sequins this vacation season. As Jo Hooper correctly concludes, ‘ It’s doable to sparkle with out sequins. We use silk, satin and velvet – these pure materials replicate the sunshine and have luminosity.’
Say no to sequins and shine on, in luxurious velvet and silk. PS Subscribers, hold your eyes in your inbox for a NRBY giveaway, coming quickly!
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STYLE NOTES
I’m sporting the Liana wool and cashmere jumper from Wyse London. Thea facet stripe, silk-blend trousers from NRBY and satin slippers from Historical Greek Sandals. All gadgets loaned for the shoot and returned.
