Alek Wek by Dean Isidro Delivers Us To b new york's Beauty of Conscious Living

Top model Alek Wek wears key pieces from b new york’s Fall 2020 collection, lensed by Dean Isidro. The name ‘b new york’ was not embedded in AOC’s brain, so off we went to investigate. It was a trip worth taking. / Hair by Dennis Lanni; makeup by Ren Nobuko, set design Shari Anlauf

AOC’s goal in 2021 is to give a strong preference to featuring conscious living, sustainability-minded shopping concepts and brands. I hesitate to use the word ‘exclusively’ for fear of backing AOC into a corner where the most high-integrity, artistic or socially-conscious concept around hasn’t fully cracked the sustainability challenge.

Like Pyer Moss, b new york Resonates Deeply on its Surface

An excellent example is Pyer Moss and its founder Kerby Jean-Raymond’s strong commitment to building a sustainable brand which doesn’t presently make 100% sustainable clothes. Simultaneously, Jean-Raymond’s Pyer Moss brand DNA is among the top three concepts in new brands, from AOC’s perspective.

To be clear, Pyer Moss is our #1 brand, but AOC is deeply embedded with the core tenets of racial justice since 2007, and for decades in my life and career. I’ve personally taken the NYPD to civilian court — and won — after being picked up for prostitution in Harlem, accompanied by my female doctor roommate.

Would I have immediately checked out the brand without Alex Wek? Yes, with Veronica Webb. No, with the other panelists. A “strong preference” for featuring new conscious-living concepts at AOC will have to do for 2021, and ‘b new york’ does not disappoint.

b new york’s The Beauty of Conscious Living Panel

b new york greets us with an hour-long panel discussion on ‘The Beauty of Conscious Living’. I repeat — 56 minutes of discussion on conscious living by a panel of known, diverse and youngish voices. No Netflix before sleep for Anne, until I listen to every word.

Moderated by Alexandra Engler, Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Editor at mindbodygreen, the panel features conscious leaders Alek Wek, Emma Willis Herring, Mia Kang, and Veronica Webb.. In honor of Giving Tuesday, and on behalf of the panelists, ‘b new york’ made a donation to Project Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering healthcare at the local level globally.

Lastly, the clothes are ‘affordable’ and I use the term loosely. Tops are priced at $90 to $180. A recycled wrap jacket is $180, and an oversized recycled anorak is $220. The clothes are generous cuts with plenty of drape. Everything is identified as sustainable or recycled. Bottom line, the shopping is easy. ~ Anne