The word ‘sequin’ originates from a colloquial term for a gold coil of medieval Venice, which citizens called the ‘zechin’. Minting ceased after the Napoleonic invasion of Italy, and the name was taken up in France – where 19th century sequins were made of shiny metal. Throughout human history, in ancient Egypt, Indonesia, and Asia, precious shells and gold coins were sewn onto garments as symbols of power and prestige. How different this practice is today….
Unfortunately most sequins nowadays are made with petroleum-based plastics like PVC, which utilise highly toxic chemicals during production that harm the humans working them, as well as all organic life in the environments around.
Many fabrics currently used in the gargantuan and ever-growing industry of fashion – which now produces around 100 billion items of clothing a year – contain synthetic fabrics, mostly made of plastics. These materials fall off garments in the wash (up to 2 grams from every wash of a synthetic fleece, for example!)
But to avoid new plastic pollution, and more shedding – we banned the sale of extravagant sequined costumes and clothing at our flagship event, Shambala Festival. This is partly because they are the image of excess, and normalise the production, sale and waste of such overtly plastic-heavy goods. We’ve been choosing independent brands with more ethical fabrics or second hand clothing sellers.
Alongside this, we’ve provided organic, plastic-free wholefood fruit and vegetables for our festival goers (instead of a supermarket in a field, like some of our corporate competitors), a packaging-free refill shop, and oat milk in glass bottles from a local farmer for all our drinks.