10 years ago some time during late winter, I was sat in my uni accommodation feeling like the worst, most talentless fashion student to ever walk the earth. I desperately needed a quick dose of motivation to help me spark up some much needed inspiration to finish off some designs for a project that was due to be handed in within the next few days. I also needed a huge amount of validation as I was convinced during those moments that I wasn’t even deserving of being on such a prestigious, life-defining (so I thought at the time) university course. Me, a girl from East London who had never even been to a fashion show, and who was designing dresses on ripped out pieces paper from a lined notepad, why am I here? Good question… Why am I here when I could be at London Fashion Week, which takes place in… well… London?! I might not have had the opportunities that my class mates had throughout their further education years, or their design skills, but one thing I did have was my East-end tenaciousness and pretty decent navigation skills of the streets of London. I picked up my laptop and reached out to every designer who would be on the runway, giving a presentation, or hosting an event in London for London Fashion Week 2013.
A handful had gotten back to me but the designer I was most excited about was the King of Sequins himself, Ashish Gupta. If there is anyone on earth who deserves the crown of knowing exactly how to style sequins in all their forms and create fresh and beautiful designs, it is Ashish. He is known for his incredible detailing and innovative ways to make sequins a thing for all seasons, all events and all moods. He did this impeccably with the Ashish X Warehouse holiday collection and had previously done this with all of his Ashish X Topshop collections which gave everyone an opportunity to explore sequins and his work in fresh new ways. I had the unbelievable privilege to work back stage on his FW 2013 collection, and I also had the honour of meeting the designer himself. I couldn’t even believe it, from being bedridden with anxiety in my uni accommodation to being backstage with this fashion icon.
Ashish is undeniably one of my core inspirations and I am sure, every fashion lover’s when it comes to looking for more exciting ways to wear sequins. Over the years I have noticed the huge shift in how sequinned fashion is designed. There have been riveting and eye-catching patterns, and colour ways that you never used to really see anywhere, except perhaps the designer realm a good few years ago.
Of course when there is joy in fashion, there are also some not so joyous parts especially when it comes to sustainability and the effects fashion has on the planet. It is devastating to look at the figures of how many sequin items end up in landfill every year during the holiday season and in fact, according to Oxfam, an eye watering 1.7 million sequinned items will end up being binned after Christmas party season which is absolutely mind blowing! That being said, there is some sort of hope as apparently, as more of us are becoming more aware of the effects that this has on the planet, “shoppers search for sustainable sequins” when looking for some sparkle to add to their wardrobe during this season. I also think that by having interesting, season-less and timeless designed pieces will in hope, mean that there will be much less of that unequivocal pressure of needing to dispose of red and green 90s Christmas decoration like dresses every year but instead, a need to hold on to pieces that are actually loved and treasured as one would be able to get a lot of wear out of it.
This takes me to my style pages. I have, as I always try to do, styled up items in ways to ignite a new way of wearing them and items that you can find right now that can inspire you to purchase differently. Firstly, I want to share 3 quick and easy things to look for when looking for new sequin items.
- Think before you purchase
This normally goes without saying anytime that I shop if I’m honest. When I say think, I really mean think! Think about what this item will go with in your wardrobe, think about the occasions and outfits you can plan, think about the colour that you will get the most wear out of. That being said…
2. Choosing the right colour
What does the right colour look like for you? A pop of colour if you generally only wear neutrals? A neutral colour if you generally wear colours? Whatever it may be, make sure you are steering away from colours that limit your wardrobe like reds, greens, and single toned gold items. Chances are you will only want to wear these items to a holiday party this year and won’t repeat the item the following years. If you do feel that those colours are still what you need in your closet then do ensure you can sell it on once you have had your share of looks from it.
3. You can’t go wrong with unique designs
Look for unique design that fits you and your style. For me, the H&M long sequinned skirt stole my heart completely as I live for a long skirt and the colour way would be so versatile in my wardrobe. Instead of looking at items that are completely embellished, also look for items that have minimal sequins on them as this will help with diversifying the item when you plan to style it up again.
Sequin skirtH&M, Tux style blazer H&M, Earrings Pilgrim, Thigh high boots, H&M, Shirt Jigsaw, Sandal heels M&S, Bag Aspinal of London
Long skirts make for a great versatile way to deliver on the sparkle. They can be paid in a classic way with a blazer or with a white shirt. A long skirt can be transitional by pairing it with different colours on top. In the summer months an item like this could work with a bright coloured pollen shirt in blues and greens and paired with a basket bag and sand coloured sandals.
Gold top 16Arlington, Brown one sleeved top Rick Owns, Brown trousers Arket, Gold earrings Whistles, Black and gold shoes Jimmy Choo, Pink top Ganni, Halter neck top Ashish, Satin skirt Whistles, Pink shoes Carvela, Blue and silver earrings Monica Vinader
Sequinned tops are also a very versatile way to add sparkle into your wardrobe. They allow for lots of wear but also allow you to get quite creative with your outfits, whatever your mood may be throughout the season and the year.
One shouldered dress The Frankie Shop, Silver & white dress River Island, Silver earrings Fallon, Gold earrings By Alona, Strapy heels &OtherStories, Khaki dress Karen Millen, Sleeveless dress Warehouse, Pointy shoes Maje, Satin bag Anthropologie, Leather bag Stand
Short dresses that offer style, movement and simplicity is just a combination that can never go wrong. Wearing something like this with holiday coloured accessories makes it known that you have styled this up specifically for the season but equally, makes it known that this item can be completely paired back with safer accessory pairing which means it can be changed up throughout the next seasons. Long dresses with interesting detailing and patterns are a beautiful option that just scream longevity in more ways than one. You can take these items through the times by just changing up the jewellery you decide to pair with it.
Shamar Viberg 