EMA's October Sustainable Fashion Roundup: Films, Fashion Week, and Rock n' Roll
From the runway to the big screen, October saw sustainable fashion reaching new audiences as we concluded another season of fashion weeks worldwide. Read on to learn about how Leonardo DiCaprio, Stella McCartney, and other industry leaders are pushing sustainability forward.
Stella McCartney launches her "most sustainable edit to date" at Paris Fashion Week
Well known for leading the sustainability charge in the luxury fashion market, Stella McCartney showcased her Spring/Summer 2024 collection at Paris Fashion Week this October. At the Marché Saxe-Breteuil, the edgy new collection is "blurring the lines between genders and generations," paying tribute to McCartney's Beatles rock royalty lineage.
"Summer 2024 is rooted in what Stella knows and loves: music, her parents' relationship and shared wardrobes, and the care for our fellow creatures and Mother Earth they instilled in her," reads the brand's description of McCartney's latest work.
Stella made the collection using "95% responsible materials" like plant-based leather, recycled glass, and seaweed-based yarn. To accompany the collection, the brand hosted a pop-up called Stella's Sustainable Market, which featured 21 stalls of innovative materials.
Leonardo DiCaprio invested in a sustainable watch startup
Over the years, Leonardo DiCaprio has become a well-known environmental activist, as one of the founders of Earth Alliance and starring in the climate satire film Don't Look Up. Most recently, the Titanic actor invested in ID Geneve, a B-Corp-certified watch brand.
ID Geneve uses local production and environmentally friendly sourcing in its watches, with the casing made from recycled stainless steel and the straps made from green waste from London parks. Designers create each watch to be modular and evolutive, allowing the repair of different watch parts, refurbished or replaced, to prolong its longevity.
Film festivals premiered Fashion Reimagined, a documentary exploring the challenges in sustainable fashion
What would it take to create a truly sustainable fashion collection? Designer Amy Powney sets out to find out in Fashion Reimagined, a documentary that follows her journey worldwide to understand fashion supply chains and consumer behavior.
"I can't create something to make one woman feel incredible to the detriment of the people in my supply chain," said Powney in an interview with Forbes. While concerns around human rights abuses and its staggering environmental footprint plague the industry, Powney aims to set a more ethical and sustainable precedent in Fashion Reimagined.
The film has appeared at the Tribeca Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and many others. It is now available for streaming on Amazon, AppleTV, Google Play, and other streaming services.
Bristol's Sustainable Fashion Week expanded across the globe
Initially launched in 2021, Sustainable Fashion Week aims to challenge the industry's environmental impact at London Fashion Week by providing a platform to promote sustainable fashion. This year's theme was "Re-wear Revolution," which aims to divert clothing waste from landfills and encourage more sustainable practices, such as upcycling, repurposing, or repairing clothes. While the event began in the UK, it has expanded globally to India, Papua New Guinea, and the United States.
About the author:
Katy Ho (she/her) is a Chinese Canadian writer, activist, and daughter of refugees who explores the intersections of gender, climate, and pop culture through her work. When she's not writing about feminism and climate justice, you can find her hosting book club meetings, visiting her local thrift store, and coaching the next generation of climate leaders.