“Sustainability in fashion is not just about organic, natural or recycled textiles,” McCurdy tells Dezeen. “If we’re going to get to zero on our emissions, we need to be thinking about how to replace the 60 percent of textiles that are currently made of fossil fuels.”
McCurdy developed the sequin material, which gets its shine from mineral and glass, as opposed to traditional sequins that use petrochemically based dyes. Lim’s fashion label 2.1 Philip Lim then set about designing the dress, which required thoughtfulness because of the new materials.
“If you’re a designer and the rest of your product offering involves deeply, thoughtfully considered sourcing of renewable cottons and sustainable materials, the moment you go to make something with sequins you’re reaching for polyester,” McCurdy adds. “The history of sequins is also really interesting because they originate from the practice of sewing coins to the body. They’re a way of holding your wealth close to yourself, which I think symbolically connects to this moment we’re in now, where we’re all grappling with feeling secure.”
The dress was designed as part of the One X One fashion incubator project.