Burberry Launches Econyl Sustainable Nylon Collection In Both Heritage + New Icons Designs

Burberry joins Prada’s June 2019 similar announcement of launching collections made with Econyl, the sustainable nylon yarn made from regenerated fishing nets, fabric scraps and industrial plastic.

The highlights of Burberry’s Econyl capsule include its heritage trench and lightweight classic car coat silhouettes, as well as what the brand is calling new icons, the logo-print oversized cape, fleece-lined puffer and reversible bomber jacket.

Burberry states that the introduction of the sustainable fashion collection is part of its plan to tackle what it calls an “environmental waste issue while creating a sustainable and versatile material” and is “just one example of the 50 disruptions Burberry is making throughout its supply chain to create a more circular fashion industry”.

Giulio Bonazzi, chief executive at Aquafil added: “We are delighted to collaborate with Burberry for this capsule collection. We believe innovative fibres like Econyl regenerated nylon are the future and are proud to support brands who use our yarns, transforming waste into incredible designs and raising the profile and possibilities of a more circular fashion system.”

Burberry’s Econyl collection is the latest innovative sustainable introduction, recently the fashion house collaborated with company 37.5 to use volcanic sand and waste coconut shell in thermoregulation technology for its quilted jackets, and it introduced Refibra, a new yarn produced by upcycling cotton leftovers from the Burberry Mill in Yorkshire, to make its dust bags for all jewellery and leather goods.

Hailey Bieber Tours America's East Coast, Posing for Colin Dodgson in W Magazine #4 2019

Hailey Bieber Tours America's East Coast, Posing for Colin Dodgson in W Magazine #4 2019

W Magazine’s new editor-in-chief Sara Moonves styles Hailey Baldwin Bieber in fall perfect for fashionistas loving Lady Liberty and leopard spots, with a llama or two thrown in for good measure. W officially crowns Hailey Miss America as she traipses the East Coast from Martha’s vineyard to New York Harbor lensed by Colin Dodgson. / Hair by Rudi Lewis; makeup by Susie Sobol

Rianne Van Rompaey's Surreal Love Affair in Valentino Fall 2019 Campaign by Inez and Vinoodh

Rianne Van Rompaey's Surreal Love Affair in Valentino Fall 2019 Campaign by Inez and Vinoodh

Valentino’s surreal fall 2019 ad campaign combines nature and nurture with the creative energy of love and desire. And yes, the kiss in this case is bestowed on Valentino products by model Rianne Van Rompaey.

Movement Director Stephen Galloway pairs with Directors Inez and Vinoodh for “a surreal film that is part dream and part ode to 60s’ art house films in which contortion and rigid movements communicate suggestion and love as an abstract ideal.”

Over 100 Top Models + Time's Up Join Model Alliance In Open Letter to Victoria's Secret

On Tuesday morning, over 100 models, including Christy Turlington Burns, Edie Campbell, Karen Elson, Milla Jovovich, Doutzen Kroes, and Gemma Ward, signed an open letter addressed directly to Victoria’s Secret. The letter petitioned the lingerie brand to take concrete actions in protecting models against sexual misconduct.

The letter was properly addressed to Victoria’s Secret’s CEO John Mehas and it pulled no punches:

We are writing today to express our concern for the safety and wellbeing of the models and young women who aspire to model for Victoria’s Secret. In the past few weeks, we have heard numerous allegations of sexual assault, alleged rape, and sex trafficking of models and aspiring models. While these allegations may not have been aimed at Victoria's Secret directly, it is clear that your company has a crucial role to play in remedying the situation. From the headlines about L Brands CEO Leslie Wexner’s close friend and associate, Jeffrey Epstein, to the allegations of sexual misconduct by photographers Timur Emek, David Bellemere, and Greg Kadel, it is deeply disturbing that these men appear to have leveraged their working relationships with Victoria’s Secret to lure and abuse vulnerable girls.

L Brands CEO Les Wexner (l) and former CMO Ed Razek (r) in happier times.

The letter then proceeds to invite Victoria’s Secret to join the RESPECT Program —a program of the Model Alliance—is the only existing anti-sexual harassment program designed by and for models.

Signatory companies make a binding commitment to require their employees, agents, vendors, photographers and other contractors to follow a code of conduct that protects everyone’s safety on the job, and reduces models’ vulnerability to mistreatment. Models have access to an independent, confidential complaint mechanism, with swift and fair resolution of complaints and appropriate consequences for abusers. Further, RESPECT includes a robust training program aimed toward prevention, to ensure that everyone understands their rights and responsibilities.

“Corporations tend to treat the discovery of abuses as public-relations crises to be managed rather than human-rights violations to be remedied,” says Sara Ziff, the founder and executive director of the Model Alliance. “The RESPECT Program provides Victoria’s Secret an opportunity not only to right the wrongs of the past but also to work towards prevention.”

Ziff recently penned an essay for the Cut detailing her own encounter with Epstein as a young model. She highlighted just how long an imbalance of power and lack of protections have “plagued” the industry. She wrote: “Now, we need the support of agencies, publishing companies, and fashion brands who want to do better by the talent who they purport to protect.”

In November, the Model Alliance issued a statement following disgraced L Brands Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek’s infamous Vogue interview in advance of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Razek retired from Victoria’s Secret on Monday.

Anna Ewers Poses For Hugo Comte In Alexander Wang's Collection 2 Drop 1 #TheWangHustle

Anna Ewers Poses For Hugo Comte In Alexander Wang's Collection 2 Drop 1 #TheWangHustle

Top model Anna Ewers is styled by Haley Wollens in Alexander Wang’s Collection 2 Drop 1 2019 August 2019 collection, #TheWangHustle campaign lensed by Hugo Comte./ Set design by Thomas Petherick; hair by Jimmy Paul; makeup by Yumi Lee

Think of Rihanna’s 2016 release “Work’, celebrating the art of hustling and hard work.

Anna Ewers’ character is self-made. She’s secured the bag (literally), and has no issue rolling in it. The campaign also includes a series of captions that accompany the visuals: “She’s not a paper chaser. She’s a money maker” is followed by “She wasn’t born into the lap of luxury. She earned it.” These captions establish Anna Ewers’ character as boss. This character is secure in herself. There’s more: “Her next move? You’ll never know” and “Keep your friends close and your funds closer.” Alexander Wang is sending a very clear message, that they’ve made it, and aren’t going anywhere. Don’t try to knock #The WangHustle.

Natalie Portman Doesn't Believe Humanity Is Evolving, In Pamela Hanson Images For Harper's UK

Natalie Portman Doesn't Believe Humanity Is Evolving, In Pamela Hanson Images For Harper's UK

Actor and filmmaker, Oscar winner and activist Natalie Portman covers the September 2019 issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. Leith Clark styles the Dior ambassador in images by Pamela Hanson.

Justine Picardie sits down with Portman at Hollywood’s legendary Villa Carlotta, operating now as an upscale Airbnb-style home away from home. Their focus initially is Christian Dior’s sister Catherine, who was the inspiration for his first perfume, Miss Dior.

Natalie Portman has been the face of Miss Dior since 2010, and her activist Israeli background is curious about Catherine Dior’s history as a member of the French Resistance before being deported to a concentration camp in Germany in 1944.

Teddy Quinlivan Delivers Gender Fluid Beauty Lensed by Harry Carr for Interview Germany

Teddy Quinlivan Delivers Gender Fluid Beauty Lensed by Harry Carr for Interview Germany

Model Teddy Quinlivan explores gender fluidity in all its beauty, styled by Pau Avia. Photographer Harry Carr is behind the lens for Interview Germany. / Hair by Joseph Pujalte; makeup by Karin Westerlund

Greg Abbott Invoked Mental Illness After the El Paso Shooting. Where Is Evidence?

Greg Abbott Invoked Mental Illness After the El Paso Shooting. Where Is Evidence?

Hours after a white gunman walked into an El Paso Walmart on Saturday and killed nearly two dozen Hispanic shoppers, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addressed a room full of reporters in the border city and expressed grief and support for the community.

As high-profile mass shootings continue to erupt across the country — three of which occurred in Texas in the last two years — a reporter asked the governor what he planned on doing to ensure one doesn’t happen again.

Abbott, a Republican, hesitated, then spoke at length about how the state Legislature reacted to the 2018 high school shooting in Santa Fe, eventually focusing on what he said was the most agreed-upon need: addressing mental health issues.

“Bottom line is mental health is a large contributor to any type of violence or shooting violence, and the state of Texas this past session passed a lot of legislation and provided funding for the state to better address that challenge,” he concluded, referring to bills aimed at improving children’s mental health care.

Behind him, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from El Paso, visibly stiffened, shaking her head slightly as Abbott connected mental illness to what appears to be an act of domestic terrorism fueled by a white supremacist ideology.

The next day, before a downtown El Paso vigil for the victims, she put into words what had been apparent on her face.

“I would also call on those who use mental illness as an excuse to please stop. Please stop,” Escobar told reporters, to light applause from those beginning to arrive for the service. “It further stigmatizes those who truly suffer from mental illness, and the fact of the matter is people with mental illness are far more likely to be victims of violent crime, not perpetrators.”

“This tragedy is not in vain if we can finally have a reckoning in this country as to what is really going on,” she added.

Valentina Sampaio Shoots Pink Campaign for Victoria's Secret, As Ed Razek Steps Down from L Brands

We have the welcome news that Victoria’s Secret Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek has retired in the wake of growing fallout around Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to L Brands chief and major stockholder Les Wexner. The plot has thickened so deep that even I — who worked in the business for a decade and knew both men well — am waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Razek was riding high — not in terms of VS revenues and profits, which were clobbered last year — but in an interview with Vogue in advance of the now cancelled, annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Among the tough questions fielded to Razek was one about using ‘transsexual’ models in the fashion show.

Razek claimed that “transsexual” models should not be cast “because the show is fantasy.” We know he meant “male fantasy” which is among the many reasons for the decline of VS. Former Victoria’s Secret Angel Karlie Kloss and current Angel Lily Aldridge clapped back online, stating that trans and gender non-conforming lives are not up for debate.

In a bit of poetic justice, Razek is out and transgender beauty Valentina Sampaio, a 22-year-old model hailing from Brazil, has shot a new campaign for Victoria’s Secret Pink.

I find Sampaio’s sultry, intoxicating images to be more conducive for the VS mothership, but whatever role she plays, we say kudos.

Hiring Sampaio won’t begin to solve Victoria’s Secret’s problems, but at least we know that new VS CEO John Mehas is putting his foot down. Mehas most recently was president of Tory Burch and from all we know, his thinking is much more advanced in terms of today’s women and also the attitudes of young shoppers than either Razek’s or Wexner’s.

Victoria's Secret Fall 2019 Campaign with Candice, Elsa, Grace Elizabeth, Kelly and Lorena

Victoria's Secret Fall 2019 Campaign with Candice, Elsa, Grace Elizabeth, Kelly and Lorena AOC Fashion

Victoria’s Secret Angels Candice Swanepoel, Elsa Hosk, and Grace Elizabeth join Kelly Gale and Lorena Duran in the lingerie brand’s very sexy fashion pieces Fall 2019 campaign, lensed by Russell James [IG].

Huizi Xue Fronts 'Teddy Girl' by Wang Lei and Jiang Kun for Harper's Bazaar China August 2019

Huizi Xue Fronts 'Teddy Girl' by Wang Lei and Jiang Kun for Harper's Bazaar China August 2019

Model Huizi Xue enchants in ‘Teddy Girl’, styled by Frankie Zheng. Wang Lei and Jiang Kun captures the fashion poetry for Harper’s Bazaar China August 2019./ Makeup by Phophie Mathias

Amilna Estevao Is Lensed by Regan Cameron for Harper's Bazaar UK's 'Go Your Own Way'

Amilna Estevao Is Lensed by Regan Cameron for Harper's Bazaar UK's 'Go Your Own Way'

Model Amilna Estevao is styled by Miranda Almond in ‘Go Your Own Way’. Regan Cameron captures the boss lady looks London-style for Harper’s Bazaar UK September 2019./ Hair by Linda Shalabi; makeup by Ariel Yeh

Candice Swanepoel Poses for Adam Franzino In Vogue Hong Kong August 2019

Candice Swanepoel Poses for Adam Franzino In Vogue Hong Kong August 2019

Top model and Victoria’s Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel wears sorbet colors, satin elegance styled by Anya Ziourova. Adam Franzino captures the chartreuse, marine blue and rose fashion parfait for Vogue Hong Kong August 2019. / Hair by Holly Mills; makeup by Mariel Barrera

Winnie Harlow + Stephan James Cover ELLE Canada September for 'First Place' by Norman Wong

Winnie Harlow + Stephan James Cover ELLE Canada September for 'First Place' by Norman Wong

Actor Stephan James and top model Winnie Harlow have successful careers that have led them far away from home, but their connection to Toronto is stronger than ever. The two talents cover the September 2019 issue of ELLE Canada, shot by photographer Norman Wong on the streets of Toronto’s Little Jamaica. Stylist Juliana Schiavinatto styles the duo, who share their views on success in final interview images, for ‘First Place’. / Hair by Janet Jackson; makeup by Leslie Ann Thomson

Izzy Wild Channels Long-Gone Romanticism Lensed By Noémi Ottilia Szabo for Marie Claire US

Izzy Wild Channels Long-Gone Romanticism Lensed By Noémi Ottilia Szabo for Marie Claire US

American model Izzy Wild is styled by Martha Violante in period dressing prints suitable for a game of croquet. Zurich-based photographer Noémi Ottilia Szabo captures Izzy in ‘Before Sunset’ for Marie Claire US August 2019./ Hair by Kyle Malone; makeup by Junko Kioka

Carolyn Murphy Covers Harper's Bazaar Australia September 2019 by Darren McDonald

Carolyn Murphy Covers Harper's Bazaar Australia September 2019 by Darren McDonald

Supermodel Carolyn Murphy covers the September 2019 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Australia, styled by Naomi Smith in Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Prada, Versace and more. Darren McDonald captures the ‘90s super on location in New York for the magazine’s Icons issue.

Photographer Alex Blonde Captures Jona Citrona In 'Blooming' For Vogue Portugal July

Photographer Alex Blonde Captures Jona Citrona In 'Blooming' For Vogue Portugal July

Rising model Jona Citrona is styled by Michela Caprera in ‘Blooming’, lensed by Alex Blonde for Vogue Portugal July 2019./ Hair by Sayaka Otama; makeup by Akari Sugino

Anok Yai + Alton Mason Pose in 'Free Spirit' by Luigi + Iango for Vogue Brazil August 2019

Anok Yai + Alton Mason Pose in 'Free Spirit' by Luigi + Iango for Vogue Brazil August 2019

Models Anok Yai and Alton Mason are styled by Pedro Sales in ‘Free Spirit’, a super fab editorial lensed by Luigi & Iango for Vogue Brasil August 2019./ Makeup by Georgi Sandev; hair by Luigi Murenu

Constance Jablonski Enjoys a 'Summer of Love' Lensed by Sam Hendel For ELLE France

Constance Jablonski Enjoys a 'Summer of Love' Lensed by Sam Hendel For ELLE France

Top model Constance Jablonski celebrates love and family, styled by Chloe Dugast in Giambattista Vallu x H&M, The Kooples, Etam, Eres and more. Sam Hendel flashes ‘Summer of Love’ for ELLE France July 26, 2019.

Naomi Watts Is Lensed by Jason Kibbler in 'No Surrender' For Porter Edit August 2, 2019

Naomi Watts Is Lensed by Jason Kibbler in 'No Surrender' For Porter Edit August 2, 2019

Actor Naomi Watts is styled by Tracy Taylor in modern luxe, clean lines simplicity from Balenciaga, JACQUEMUS, Proenza Schouler, The Row and more. Photographer Jason Kibbler is in the studio for Porter Edit August 2, 2019. Jane Mulkerrins conducts the interview.

Naomi Watts on her role in ‘The Loudest Voice’

This summer the Game of Thrones star has a high-profile role in the TV drama miniseries ‘The Loudest Voice’, with Watts playing the role of Gretchen Carlson. The Fox News Primetime anchor filed a lawsuit in July 2016, accusing head of the network, now-deceased Roger Ailes, of forcing her off the air when she thwarted his sexual advances.

As a result of Carlson’s courage, other women at Fox News, including Megyn Kelly, followed Carlson’s lead and within weeks, Roger Ailes resigned as head of the network.