Sequinova Awarded Runner Up Prize at Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge 2024

Located in east London Fashion District, founded in 2018, works with a number of partners to facilitate support programmes to help develop a strong, sustainable network within the UK fashion industry. From local council’s, industry organisations, investors and education providers, Fashion-Enter Ltd is one of the 18 partners providing industry support and services. 

On 3rd July Fashion District held a special event hosted in The Conduit’s Ubuntu Lounge to announce the winners of the 2024 Manufacturing Futures Innovation Challenge.

Fibe, a material science startup developing the world’s first textile fibres out of potato harvest waste, was announced as the winner. They will receive £15,000 to advance their innovation and grow their business.

While Sequinova, a young biomaterials company on a mission to eradicate microplastic pollution linked to the textiles industry, was awarded with the runner-up prize. For the Fashion-Enter Ltd team this was fantastic news as Sequinova, founded by Clare Lichfield, is a studio tenant at the FC Designer Workspace. Clare additionally uses FEL’s Fashion Studio for sampling her Bodici brand using vegan silk.

Clare (pictured above) explains: “Sequinova is a spin off of Bodici, a four-year research and development project which seeks to rethink the fashion system from the ground up, creating womenswear without harming people and the planet. 

Bodici is a direct to consumer brand that uses an entirely new way of designing and manufacturing, as well as two new biomaterials: Vegsilk (an industry-leading vegan silk alternative that will be unveiled in due course) and Sequinova, plant-based and biodegradable sequins (pictured below) made from cellulose. 

“What sets Sequinova apart is its ability to deliver at scale. With manufacturing partnerships in Europe and Asia, Sequinova exists to meet the growing demand for Next-Gen materials, and ultimately to help fashion companies phase out their use of plastic sequins and meet their ESG targets.

“Being part of the Manufacturing Futures Programme by Fashion District has really helped put Sequinova on the map. The mentorship, guidance, connections and encouragement that we’ve received have been invaluable, and we’ll be forever grateful.”

Alongside the recent runner up prize Clare and Sequinova were also featured in Vogue Business and has received substantial industry attention since showing at the Future Fabrics Expo in London. 

Sequinova and a second runner-up Fab Materials, will each receive £5,000 to further develop their business.

Congratulations to Clare and thank-you to all at the Fashion District for promoting inspiring textile innovators that will make a difference.

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