Radiant Matter and Stella McCartney debut botanical sequins

• Material innovation start-up Radiant Matter develops "BioSequins"
• Botanical sequins first designed by Stella McCartney for Cara Delevingne
• Recycled, recyclable and bio-based alternative to plastic

A sleeveless and fitted jumpsuit by Stella McCartney specially made for model Cara Delevingne is made from vegetable sequins for the first time. The so-called BioSequin, a new material from Radiant Matter. The start-up is currently making a name for itself when it comes to sustainable textile innovations. These are mainly made from plant cellulose and therefore contain no metals, minerals, synthetic pigments or dyes. The sequins are therefore plastic-free, biodegradable and non-toxic. For McCartney the perfect basis for her fashion.

Environmentally friendly, without compromise

"I'm stunned by the dazzling beauty of our BioSequin jumpsuit - handmade in my London studio from plant-based, non-toxic sequins that are even more stunning than traditional varieties," the designer said in a statement. "Who said sustainability can't be sexy ?" Even if the one-piece suit is not yet commercially available, McCartney shows how much potential the raw materials from Radiant Matter have. In the future, the designer only wants to use recyclable and bio-based alternatives in her collections.

What is the dark side of traditional sequins?

Common sequins are made of polyester film (Mylar) or vinyl (PVC) and contribute massively to the global plastic problem. Annually, 70 million barrels of oil are used to manufacture polyester. In addition, sequins often contain toxic coatings or metalized parts. According to British charity Oxfam, British women buy 33 million sequined garments each year around Christmas, of which 1,7 million end up in landfill after just five wears. And according to the European Environment Agency, about 35 percent of the microplastics that end up in the world's oceans come from synthetic clothing.

Radiant Matter and the future of the fashion industry

With the development of BioSequins, Radiant Matter shows that it is possible to create innovative fabrics that are not only environmentally friendly but also aesthetically pleasing. Radiant Matter's mission is to reduce the textile industry's dependence on petroleum-derived plastics, metals and minerals. The company strives to reduce pollution from microplastics and toxic dyes and fixatives. BioSequin is a revolutionary innovation that offers recyclable sparkling colors and surfaces for the textile industry.