We Did an Editorial Photoshoot Featuring Only Sustainable Clothing

by Sarah Jay September 28, 2018

I began my career 15 years ago with an internship at FASHION Magazine, which was the best start I could have asked for. While I sought to become a stylist—to build otherworldly outfits and immerse myself in beauty at all times—my conscience weighed on me as my awareness of fashion’s true costs grew. Activism and environmentalism were indeed unexpected corollaries of my journey, now inextricable from my approach to the art of dressing.

I’m proud to return to FASHION Magazine for the November 2018 sustainability issue to showcase the revolution that’s well underway—the game changers and innovators who are shaping fashion’s respectful and regenerative future. Refreshingly, the sustainability movement signifies a return to quality and thoughtful design, to treating our clothes like the good friends they are and to luxuries that feed the soul as opposed to the fast-fashion machine. Sustainability simply won’t stick if it’s not fashion first.

The truth is we’ve been producing and consuming clothing at an alarming rate, maniacally making thneeds while staring into the sixth mass extinction. Each year, North Americans send over 10.5 million tonnes of textile waste to landfills, 95 per cent of which can be recycled or reused. Yes, landfills are full of laundry. For this special feature, Value Village opened its doors to showcase its efforts to recycle and restream our clothes, extending their lives and keeping them in the fashion system longer. Last year alone, VV helped divert over 300,000 tonnes of material. The most sustainable garments are the ones that already exist.

Ours is the era of biological annihilation, and as one of the world’s most polluting industries, fashion has got everything to do with it. While making new garments, we are decimating our precious water supply, contaminating our soil and committing a protracted sort of genocide with feigned ignorance, employing vulnerable people in developing nations to do fashion’s dirtiest and most dangerous work. We’ve ignored the golden rule and made exploitation the status quo—all in the name of style and staying on-trend. Let’s not wait until the last truffula tree is gone before wearing the change. We’re all in this together.

Get inspiration for your new sustainable wardrobe in the photoshoot below and find more resources for sustainable clothing options here.

Photography by Andrew Soule. Styling by Sarah Jay. Creative direction by Brittany Eccles. Hair and makeup, Sabrina Rinaldi for P1M.ca/Burt’s Bees. Fashion assistant, Alex Petropoulakis. Photography assistants, Warren Hrycun and Sebastian Politowicz. Model, Sandrine Jodoin for Ciotti Models.

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High-Fashion Sustainable Clothing

The fabric of this reflective shirtdress was once recycled plastic bottles.
Jacket, $400, Zero + Maria Cornejo at VSP Consignment. Dress, $1,050, Laura Strambi. Pants, $165, and earring, $40, 3347. Shoes, $515, Brother Vellies.

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High-Fashion Sustainable Clothing

Brass from unexploded landmines in Cambodia is transformed into elegant adornments by Chic Made Consciously.
Blue dress, $2,105, Stella McCartney. Top, $1,690, Gabriela Hearst. Earrings, $75, Dee de Lara. Rings, from $50 each, Chic Made Consciously.

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High-Fashion Sustainable Clothing

Ulla Johnson’s fair-trade knits are made by rural artisans in Uruguay.
Top, $1,015, and pants, $675, Ulla Johnson. Shoes, $1,525, Stella McCartney. Earrings, $75, Dee de Lara. Bracelet, $35, Potrol. Ring, $200, Adina Mills.

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High-Fashion Sustainable Clothing

Silver slippers thrifted from Value Village get a second chance to shine.
Jacket, $1,100, Olivia Rubens. Dress, price upon request, Ulla Johnson. Shoes, $15, Value Village.

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High-Fashion Sustainable Clothing

These slick boots are made from recycled film.
Coat, $725, Eileen Fisher. Dress, $730, Dry Clean Only. Boots, $1,750, Daniel Charkow.

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High-Fashion Sustainable Clothing

Up-and-comer Olivia Rubens designed these flared trousers using organic wool.
Top, $1,525, Ulla Johnson. Pants, $475, Olivia Rubens. Shoes, $50, vintage at Stella Luna. Earrings, $280, Enamoured at Made You Look. Necklace, $65, and ring, $50, Chic Made Consciously. Fanny pack, $65, Jool. Bag, $150, Matt & Nat at Shopgirls.

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High-Fashion Sustainable Clothing

Triarchy reconstructs vintage denim to create one-of-a kind pieces.
Jacket, $1,685, Triarchy. Dress, $2,925, Gabriela Hearst. Shoes, $750, Sydney Brown. Earrings, $70, and bag, $650, Nest.ist. Bracelet, $60, Chic Made Consciously.

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High-Fashion Sustainable Clothing

Mara Hoffman sources fabric from organic, recycled and regenerated materials whenever possible.
Jacket, $1,500, YOJ. Top, $80, Phoebe at Rent Frock Repeat. Skirt, $570, Mara Hoffman. Earrings, $40, vintage at Stella Luna. Ring, $50, Ashley Winnington-Ball.

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