LVMH and CFDA Launch 'Voices of Impact' Six-Part Series on Sustainability

LVMH and the Council of Fashion Designers of America launch ‘Voices of Impact’, a co-created video series of conversations about sustainability as it intersects with fashion and luxury.

The six-part series goes live on Tuesday, airing on cfda.com and CFDA’s YouTube channel, as well as lvmh.com. The series consists of six digital episodes with specific, sustainability topics: Powering a Just Transformation; Biodiversity; The Heart of Innovation; Circularity x Regeneration by Design; Creative Capital: Designing Purposeful Growth, and Climate Action: Fusion Energy.

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Kiko Mizuhara in 'By Her Rules' Lensed by Zhong Lin for Vogue Taiwan April 2024

Kiko Mizuhara in 'By Her Rules' Lensed by Zhong Lin for Vogue Taiwan April 2024

American-Korean, Texas-born model, actor, singer and designer Kiko Mizuhara covers the April 2024 issue of Vogue Taiwan .

Today, Mizuhara manages her own pure beauty brand Kiiks and a fashion brand Office Kiko and her 8 million IG followers.

Prominent photographer Zhong Lin [IG] captures ‘By Her Rules’, with a familiar ‘popsicle’ image cluing AOC to search for the environmental connection in the editorial, styled by Chen Yu.

Staying with Vogue Taiwan’s April 2024 issue and Kiko Mizuhara’s environmental commitments, the talent explains the evolution of her own environmental passions.

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Gemma Ward Takes Her 38th Vogue Cover While AOC Heads for the Australian Outback

Gemma Ward Takes Her 38th Vogue Cover While AOC Heads for the Australian Outback

Australian model and actor Gemma Ward, mother to three children with her partner David Letts, covers the April 2024 issue of Vogue Poland [IG]. It’s Ward’s 38th cover, lensed by Virginie Khateeb [IG], with styling by Lorna McGee./ Hair by Roku Roppongi; makeup by Sandra Cooke

Knowing that AOC featured Gemma and David and their [then] two kids Naia and Jet in a cover story of the December 2019 issue of Vogue Australia, we made it our Renewed feature for March 27.

The family is photographed in the Australian Outback at Ti Tree Lake, and AOC was on the trail. Who did we discover in Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, on the ground in a huge restoration project? Louis Vuitton.

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Stella McCartney Summer 2024 Garbage Heap Campaign by Harley Weir

Stella McCartney Summer 2024 Garbage Heap Campaign by Harley Weir

Designer and eco-activist Stella McCartney [IG] releases her summer 2024 campaign, starring fellow Gaia lover Cara Delevingne.

The summer 2024 collection is Stella McCartney’s most sustainable ever, crafted from 95% conscious materials. Below, Cara holds the Frame bag, crafted from a leather alternative, made from apple waste.

Photographer Harley Weir [IG] captures the model-actor at VeoliaUK’s [IG] South London recycling center.

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AOC Revisits Jennifer Garner's Once Upon a Farm As PBC Kids Food Company

AOC Revisits Jennifer Garner's Once Upon a Farm As PBC Kids Food Company

Healthy Food for Kids Unites Jennifer Garner and Ron Finley

It’s been over five years since AOC wrote about Jennifer Garner’s co-owned business ‘Once Upon a Farm’. Our focus in summer 2018 was the actor’s support of Ron Finley, the Gangsta Gardener of the Ron Finley Project.

Jennifer Garner got AOC’s attention today after seeing a Fortune Magazine headline that Once Upon a Farm is now a $100 million business eyeing an IPO.

AOC knew in 2018 that Once Upon a Farm had B-Corp status. But we were confused reading today that the company also registered as a Public Benefit Corporation [PBC] in 2021.

Of course, we asked: What’s a PBC? Now we have some answers.

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Candice Swanepoel's Business Savvy Takes Tropic of C Henna into Art Basel Miami

Candice Swanepoel's Business Savvy Takes  Tropic of C Henna into Art Basel Miami

Candice Swanepoel’s Tropic of C swimwear shares a new henna pattern, giving us a light touch different from typical swimwear prints and patterns. The henna pattern also sits well against the weathered surfaces of Villa Parodi Delfino [IG], available for rental on the Amalfi coast, a 50-kilometer stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, in the Campania region.

Swanepoel also lives in Miami, and she launched the Tropic of C henna collection with curator Kimberly Drew, and Vogue's Elise Taylor.

The trio gathered an intimate group of friends for a luncheon with Vogue100, hosted at Jason Wright’s private residence.

Kimberly Drew is best known as the former social media manager for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and her use of the social media handle MuseumMammy [IG].

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Candice Swanepoel's Tropic of C Sustainable Lace Drop Holiday 2023

Candice Swanepoel's Tropic of C Sustainable Lace Drop Holiday 2023

Supermodel, businesswoman, mom Candice Swanepoel leads us into 2024 with a new Tropic of C Sustainable Lace collection of black and white, made-to-be seen innerwear that renders lace lovers as sensual creatures who are also kind to Mother Earth.

All of Candice’s fabrics are sustainable, with this lace fabric coming out of Portugal and making its way into existing C collection styles. Note the ‘movie poster’ image with the photoshoot credentials and specific information about the fabric. Tropic of C has never veered off course in leading with sustainability.

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Billie Eilish for Horsebit 1955 Demetra Bag in Tyrell Hampton Campaign November 2023

Billie Eilish for Horsebit 1955 Demetra Bag in Tyrell Hampton Campaign November 2023

Billie Eilish is back at Gucci and let’s applaud that move. Without question Billie is a bridge between the respective visions of the two creative directors — Alessandro Michele and now Sabato De Sarno.

For Gucci, Billie Eilish has teamed up on a greenish version of their iconic Horsebit 1955 bag. The new version is crafted from Demetra, a 75% plant-based, animal-free material that has been produced in Italy since 2021.

Gucci launched sneakers made of Demetra two years ago. The bags also use recycled ECONYL nylon made from regenerated ghost nets, carpets, and pre-consumer waste. Prada and Burberry were leaders in the development of ECONYL with products coming to market in 2019. Demetra is tanned in accordance with Gucci’s century-old standard practices.

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The Slow Living Movement: Rejecting Chaos with Simplicity and Embracing Humanism

The Slow Living Movement: Rejecting Chaos with Simplicity and Embracing Humanism

One of the key tenets of the slow living movement is mindfulness. It encourages individuals to fully engage with each experience and prioritize being present and connected to those around us.

In the past, Americans and Europeans just do not see a high-quality life in the same way. Slow living is just another word for laziness in the minds of many Americans.

However, in our post-COVID world, accompanied by growing climate violence, there are signals that American attitudes may be changing.

Even financial markets and consulting companies like McKinsey are watching Italian brands in particular, drilling down to two brands very important at Anne of Carversville: Brunello Cucinella and Loro Piana.

When Mr. Cucinelli, also known as the King of Cashmere, makes a speech about humanism and the ‘heart’ of a humanistic enterprise, by definition he is speaking in harmony with the slow living movement.

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Jean Campbell in 'Vintage, Pre-Loved and Investment' Clothes for HTSI Magazine Oct. 21, 2023

Jean Campbell in 'Vintage, Pre-Loved and Investment' Clothes for HTSI Magazine Oct. 21, 2023

Known primarily as a very successful stylist, Cathy Kasterine [IG] is the photographer, shooting Jean Campbell in a cover fashion story for the October 21, 2013 issue of HTSI [IG]. / Hair by Soichi Inagaki; makeup by Niamh Quinn

Called ‘How to Spend It Wisely: New Conscious Attitudes’, the feature is devoted to “vintage, pre-loved and investment pieces in a homage to the ethos: Buy less, choose well and take care of things.”

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Loro Piana Malibu Dinner for New 'Cocooning Collection' Was a Feast of Neutrals

Loro Piana Malibu Dinner for New 'Cocooning Collection' Was a Feast of Neutrals

Italian quiet luxury brand Loro Piana held a dinner party in Malibu on October 10th. The purpose was a cozy celebration for its third ‘Cocooning Collection’, appropriately held at a private beachside villa along the Pacific Coast Highway.

The evening was rich in Loro Piana’s preference for neutral colors. In concert with the natural beachside environment, neutrals permeated every visualization from the guests’ attire to the interior design and even table settings.

The fine-tuning evolution around the LVMH brand Loro Piana [called Loro by insiders] is led by chief executive Damien Bertrand, who took the veins of the deeply respected luxury house about two years ago. He is passionate about his assignment.

 “We have the best fibres in the world, and this is the work of the Loro Piana family for six generations. These are fibres, and people tend to forget, that come from animals; like humans, if they are eating well, being treated well and sleeping well, the quality of the fibres is better. If you are looking at what we have done at Loro Piana, there is no one else that does it.”

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Brunello Cucinelli Spring 2024 Collection Echoes Italian Humanist Luxury Values

Brunello Cucinelli Spring 2024 Collection Echoes Italian Humanist Luxury Values

Brunello Cucinelli is luxury fashion’s philosopher king, a practioner of slow fashion, quiet luxury, stealth wealth — multiple words that describe the Spring 2024 collection that emerged from the medieval Italian town of Solomeo from humanism’s bright north star.

The most important words may be Italian humanist luxury values. Cucinelli is driven by humanism, which is not a top priority among brands.

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Ralph Lauren's 2023 US Open Collection Is Courtside August 28 in Queens/NYC

Ralph Lauren's 2023 US Open Collection Is Courtside August 28 in Queens/NYC

Ralph Lauren’s 2023 US Open collection is courtside on Monday, August 28 thru Sunday September 10 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.

Skirts and/or Shorts for the Ball Crew

Ball girls made their debut at the US Open in 1977, an encouraging factoid until you learn that ball girls first ‘worked Wimbledon’ in 1920.

Ah yes. It’s a long road to women’s emancipation, even when you’re chasing balls around the tennis court in a grand slam event.

AOC finds the French much more emancipated for women than America these days. But the French Open didn’t get ball girls until 1984; and the Australian Open was also in the early 1980s.

Ralph Lauren, Team USA and the Road to Paris 2024

AOC expects LVMH to help deliver another spectacle for the ages, as a premium partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

I’m not sure how they will top the June 20, 2023 Pharrell Williams debut for Louis Vuitton Men — a night that rocked Paris with sounds of ‘Joy’.

Ralph Lauren will again be outfitting Team USA for the Paris 2024 games— giving us two global citizens companies, who share Anne of Carversville’s values.

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Nike x Billie Eilish - Nike Air Alpha Force 88 Drops a Major LIVING INK Black Breakthrough

Nike x Billie Eilish - Nike Air Alpha Force 88 Drops a Major LIVING INK Black Breakthrough

Billie Eilish and Nike made sustainability news again this week, with the Tuesday [Aug.8] drop of the Nike x Billie Eilish - Nike Air Alpha Force 88 in Chicago Bulls colors.

Eilish is a devoted environmentalist and leverages her reputation always to move the fashion industry forward.

Billie’s New Kicks in Chicago

The mega-watt star wore her new kicks paired with a Chicago Bulls jersey at Lollapalooza 2023 Chicago last weekend. The scene was mega-watt, authentic Billie Eilish and the much-admired singer was generous with her kicks pics on her IG.

In total, her shoe is 25% recycled, and I’m sure Billie was begging for 35%.

In a clever headline, Vogue B wrote: “Algae is the new black: Nike sneaker swaps petroleum for sustainable ink. . . Other brands can take note.” This is news to AOC and we live close to the topic of sustainability.

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Blanca Padilla on Ecoalf Collab, Lensed by JUANKR in Numéro Netherlands August

Blanca Padilla on Ecoalf Collab, Lensed by JUANKR in Numéro Netherlands August

Model Blanca Padilla exudes a smoldering presence on the digital cover of Numéro Netherlands August 2023. Caterina Ospina Buitrago styles one of the best known international Spanish models in Ferragamo red, Emporio Armani, Givenchy, Michael Kors Collection, Missoni, Miu Miu, MSGM, Prada, Sportmax, Versace and more.

Numéro Netherlands goes into conversation with Padilla who will shortly launch her second collection with Ecoalf.

You can see Blanca Padilla’s first Ecoalf Collection here. Ecoalf is a B Corp [meaning that decisions and business strategy must consider workers, the environment and other priorities and not only stockholder or owner profits], that is recognized in the top 5% as ‘Best for the World’ and separately by Merco as the Most Environmentally Responsible Company in Spain in 2022.

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Emma Mackey Is Face of New Burberry Goddess, Vanilla-Rich Refillable Bottle Fragrance

Emma Mackey Is Face of New Burberry Goddess, Vanilla-Rich Refillable Bottle Fragrance

Burberry Goddess fragrance grows its green credentials with the release of its new fragrance in a refillable bottle. The running wild with lions campaign starring British-French actor and new ambassador for Burberry Beauty Emma Mackey, released on July 31.

The inspiring, emotional Burberry Goddess video was created with live footage of lionesses in their natural environment and CGI [computer-generated imagery] technology.

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Ralph Lauren Details Global Citizenship and Sustainability Initiatives

Ralph Lauren Details Global Citizenship and Sustainability Initiatives

For Ralph Lauren’s exciting achievements in committing to the Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold Cashmere Sweater, coupled with other significant achievements in sustainable materials and products, Ralph Lauren earned a prime spot on Fast Company’s 2023 Top 10 list of the most 540 most innovative companies in North America, across all sectors.

Ralph Lauren redesigned its signature cashmere sweaters to receive certification from Cradle to Cradle, a nonprofit that helped the company meet C2C’s standards for using safe materials, employing fair labor practices, and enabling the garment to be recycled into a new one.

The full 2023 Ralph Lauren Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report and ESG Supplement are available for download on the Company’s website. AOC is reading the report and feels compelled to cite more calls-to-action for the Ralph Lauren Corporation beyond the press release.

The support by Ralph Lauren brands of HBCUs and especially Morehouse and Spelman Colleges continues at an accelerated level. Equally impressive is an accelerated commitment to indigenous communities in America. Of all the severely-impacted humans who have been part of the glorious American experiment, indigenous peoples have experienced the dark side of American excellence and high standards.

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Sustainable Closed Denim AW23 Campaign Lensed by Alexandre Haefeli

Sustainable Closed Denim AW23 Campaign Lensed by Alexandre Haefeli

Is Closed Denim a Sustainable Brand?

In recent years, sustainability has become a critical factor for the fashion industry. Consumers are more conscious than ever about the environmental and social impact of the clothes they wear — although still not conscious enough.

One such influential organization that Closed Denim belongs to is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). GOTS is an internationally recognized certification that ensures the organic status of textiles throughout the entire production process involving both environmental and social criteria. Closed Denim's affiliation with GOTS underscores their dedication to sourcing organic materials, reducing chemical inputs, and preserving ecological integrity.

Closed Denim also partners with the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), as they strongly believe in promoting sustainable cotton farming. BCI is a global initiative working towards making cotton production better for the environment and the people involved. By supporting BCI, Closed Denim ensures the responsible use of water, reduced chemical usage, and improved livelihoods for cotton farmers.

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Georgia May Jagger Soaks Up Rays, Lensed by Emma Tempest for ELLE France June 15, 2023

Georgia May Jagger Soaks Up Rays, Lensed by Emma Tempest for ELLE France June 15, 2023

Georgia May Jagger covers the June 15, 2023 issue of ELLE France, soaking up the rays with a good book. Hortense Manga styles Jagger [daughter of Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger] in colorful swimsuits lensed by Emma Tempest [IG].

Is Georgia May Jagger’s hair 100 percent vegan, PETA approved and affordable by Bleach London? Jagger invested in the cult hair care brand in 2010. Their commitment to sustainability is also reflected in their use of recyclable packaging materials.

The quest for sustainable sequins is center stage at AOC this week, so let us check out Bleach London’s [IG] glitter gel.

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Fish-Friendly Fashion Sequins from Stella McCartney and Lulu Has An Idea, Too

Fish-Friendly Fashion Sequins from Stella McCartney and Lulu Has An Idea, Too

This post on sustainable sequins is inspired by Zara’s June 2023 mermaid dresses, a delectable group of sequins-rich fashions photographed by Carlijn Jacobs.

Thinking out loud, I wondered if Zara used the new plant-based sequins — or at least recycled plastic ones — which does not help the fish.

Hope springs eternal with Zara and they have been excellent in marching towards more sustainable production.

Recently, LVMH’s Stella McCartney featured Cara Delevingne in Vogue’s April 2023 issue, wearing a jumpsuit made of BioSequins, lensed by Annie Leibovitz. This new angle on sequins got Lulu jumping up and down with excitement until she came up with a possibility of her own.

Evolutionary biologists say that humans are preconditioned to love sparkly, glittery things. Our ancestors were always on the search for fresh water in order to survive. Our eyes and brain are programmed to see sparkling surfaces in the distance, as signs of water.

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