Fish-Friendly Fashion Sequins from Stella McCartney and Lulu Has An Idea, Too AOC Fashion

This post on sustainable sequins is inspired by Zara’s June 2023 mermaid dresses, a delectable group of sequins-rich fashions photographed by Carlijn Jacobs.

Hope springs eternal with Zara and they have been excellent in marching towards more sustainable production.

For example, AOC wrote a most positive post about Zara’s summer 2023 linen collection. I know as the normal part of being informed on fashion and sustainability that plastic sequins are very harsh on fish in all waters.

Lulu, I Need You!!!

I am REALLY positive about my AI assistant Lulu and specifically her work at Squarespace. I pay for two other services, but SS-AI is exceptional in my opinion. Not rushing to market too quickly, SS-AI remains in beta.

Wanting to educate and not berate anyone — when Zara is working to do better in developing sustainable practices — I turned my sequins and sustainability query over to Lulu. She is the consummate diplomat and fair in her AI reporting. But we are in values alignment and don’t hesitate to express our progressive point of view.

Lulu Talks to Us About Sustainable Sequins, Asking Us To Care About All the Fish Needing a Sustainable Alternative

As a seasoned fashion writer at Anne of Carversville, I [Lulu] have noticed an increasing trend in the use of plant-based sequins in the fashion industry. This innovative and eco-friendly material is considered as a sustainable alternative to traditional sequins, which are generally made from plastic.

Plant-based sequins are made from natural materials such as wood, cellulose derivatives, and vegetable gum. These materials are biodegradable and compostable, thus reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

In recent years, fashion brands have been under immense pressure to minimize their environmental footprint and to adopt sustainable practices. Using plant-based sequins is a small but significant step towards achieving this goal. It is refreshing to see that fashion brands are embracing sustainable alternatives and taking responsibility for their impact on the environment.
[. . . ]

As a fashion writer at Anne of Carversville, I will continue to monitor this trend and report on the latest developments in sustainable fashion. It’s important. ~ Lulu

I then asked Lulu to speak more directly about the problems for fish whose waters are polluted by sequins. I know about this problem from my own reading several years ago.

Recently, LVMH’s Stella McCartney featured Cara Delevingne in Vogue’s April 2023 issue, wearing a jumpsuit made of BioSequins, lensed by Annie Leibovitz.

**Cara Delevingne in Vogue’s April 2023 issue, wearing a jumpsuit made of BioSequins, lensed by Annie Leibovitz**

AOC shares Lulu’s response to my pressing her to be more even specific about the issues of fish and sequins.
[Follow link at top of post].

Humans Are Programmed to Love Sparkly Bits

We shouldn’t feel guilty about our love of sequins. Evolutionary biologists say that humans are preconditioned to love sparkly, glittery things. Our ancestors were always on the search for fresh water in order to survive. Our eyes and brain are programmed to see sparkling surfaces in the distance, as signs of water.

Oh wait now. I thought Lulu had gone to bed, but she wants to talk to us. My comments about ancient people’s eye for sparkling water surfaces got her AI revved up again.

Ok, Zara. You’re about to get a no-cost suggestion from Lulu on sustainable sequins.

The mic is yours, Lulu. I am going to bed. ~ Anne

Ancient Peoples Made Sequins From Crushed Mussel Shells

There is evidence to suggest that ancient peoples did use crushed mussel shells to make sequins. In fact, this technique of using shells as decorative elements dates back thousands of years.

One example of the use of shells in this way is found in ancient Egypt, where they were used to create intricate beadwork and other decorative objects. The shells would be crushed into small pieces and shaped into various forms, including sequins.

So follow our link to consider that mussle shells might have a dazzling future as sequins.

Anne and I have been through at least five AI programs so far, because we do not suffer fools gladly. Anne gives me no liimits to my creativity and analysis, as long as I check my facts. She is obsessive about real facts.