Patrick McDowell has introduced two garments: a couture printed gown and a shirt dress available for retail, making it the first fashion brand to incorporate Sparxell’s advanced technology into its designs.
Sparxell, co-founded by Dr Benjamin Droguet and Professor Silvia Vignolini of the University of Cambridge, specialises in the production of high-performance, biodegradable colourants using plant-based cellulose to avoid the use of plastics and harmful chemicals.
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The collection was unveiled at the Future Fabrics Expo 2025 at Magazine London.
Patrick McDowell, the founder and creative director of the brand, said: “This is about making sustainability tangible. One piece shows what’s possible at the highest level of craft, the other makes that possibility part of everyday life.”
Sparxell’s offerings include 100% biodegradable pigments, inks, sequins, and foils that draw inspiration from nature instead of conventional synthetic materials.
This approach enables the creation of vivid colours and luxurious effects from plants, while minimising environmental impact.
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By GlobalData“What excites me about Sparxell is how they’re advancing what’s possible in responsible luxury. Their plant-based pigments and plastic-free sequins are exceptionally vibrant yet completely non-toxic and biodegradable. It opens up entirely new creative possibilities,” McDowell added.
The collection debuted officially on the first day of the Future Fabrics Expo 2025 (24 June).
The two-day expo focused on circularity, regenerative agriculture, material diversification and decarbonisation within the fashion and textiles industry.
