How Redress Alumni have been rising to the challenge to accelerate fashion’s circularity
15 years of the Redress Design Award isn’t just a milestone—it’s a testament to the designers who’ve turned fashion’s biggest hurdles into their boldest opportunities. This year, as we celebrate ‘Rising to the Challenge’, we’re spotlighting competition alumni like Rachel Clowes: fashion game-changers who are proving that circular fashion isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
Discover how the Redress Alumni Network fueled Rachel’s growth, the projects that turned waste into wonder, and why the next 15 years depend on designers like her stepping up.
Please tell us more about your brand and innovation.
The Sustainable Sequin Company is dedicated to providing the fashion industry with more sustainable embellishments. The company researches, develops, and creates lower impact sequins for fashion brands, independent designers, and embellishment enthusiasts alike. We are currently producing sequins using GRS-certified 100% recycled PET film, available for both hand and digital applications. Additionally, we offer custom-cut sequins for unique, bespoke projects. We’re in the final stages of perfecting biobased, compostable sequins crafted from natural materials — expect sequins that have maximum sparkle and minimal environmental impact.
What was the inspiration behind your innovation?
My interest in sequins blossomed whilst studying for an MA in Fashion and the Environment at London College of Fashion. My MA work, ‘Everyday was Special’, looked at appropriate durability of materials in fashion and specifically sequins. I thought that there should be more sustainable materials available than synthetic sequins, and set about trying to create some!
What challenges did you experience in launching it?
There have been many challenges in trying to create bio-based compostable sequins, and I haven’t solved them all yet! One challenge was to balance the desire for washability and biodegradability, which I have managed with support from the University of Leeds, University of Bradford, and Royal College of Art. I am now applying for funding to add sustainable colour and effects to the sequins.
What issues do you hope to tackle with your innovation?
I really wanted to provide designers with more sustainable embellishments and reduce the use of virgin synthetic plastic in the fashion industry.
How has your innovation changed the fashion space since launch?
I hope that bringing bio-based sequins to market will allow fashion designers and brands to continue to use sparkly embellishments with minimal environmental impact.
Anything else to share about your innovation?
Highly embellished garments are visually striking but environmentally damaging. Conventional sequins and beads are made from fossil-fuel-derived, non-biodegradable synthetic plastics or energy-intensive glass, contributing to microplastic pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and poor end-of-life outcomes, persisting in the environment for centuries. Each year in the UK, ~1.7million embellished garments are discarded after Christmas, often sent to landfill intact.¹
Biopolymers can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75% compared to synthetics and reduce energy use by up to 90% compared to glass. ² ³
¹ Oxfam. Sequined Items are binned after the Christmas party season, but won’t ever biodegrade.
² Morao, B. (2019). Life Cycle Impact Assessment PLA Compared to Petroleum-Based Plastics.
³ European Bioplastics