Here’s why you don’t need to sacrifice style for sustainability
The November issue of the magazine features a stunning fashion spread, styled by Anne O’Shea. At the heart of the shoot was sustainability, as the fashion industry isn’t always green. The team proved sustainability isn’t mutually exclusive with stylish. They put together a gorgeous array of looks using rental pieces, brands making a difference, and hair and makeup using cruelty-free products.
We’ve chosen to spotlight some of the brands featured in the spread, and give you some background on how they helped make this shoot a special one.
Caoimhe Murphy
The Ponpon dress and the Petal top featured in the shoot are both designed by Irish designer Caoimhe Murphy. They use fabrics ordered in limited quantities, which minimizes how much waste is produced. When you order from Caoimhe, she offers repairs for life with any pieces. As a result, you get a long-lasting design that withstands the test of time and can be passed down for years to come.
Malene Birger
Malene Birger is a Danish designer, who created the Made With Care capsule collection. It offers eco-friendly clothes and accessories made from sustainable and materials. The likes of recycled cotton and leather, and water-based prints have all been responsibly sourced. The denim items in the collection are Nordic Swan Ecolabel certified, which is Denmark’s most rigorous standard.
ACNE Studios
ACNE Studios is a leading member of the Fair Wear Foundation, committed to achieving supply chain transparency. Essentially, by adjusting working conditions, the goal is to make the fashion industry a more ethical one. Plus, their pieces are designed to last, to minimise the effects of fast fashion, and ensuring a wardrobe that stands the test of time.
Completedworks
Completedwords jewellery are designed with sustainability in mind. They are built to last, and created with conscious materials. They use recycled gold, or Fairtrade where that isn’t possible. Similarly, a significant proportion of their silver pieces is made from recycled or reclaimed silver.
Ancuta Sarca
Ancuta Sarca’s 2021 AW collection was individually handcrafted from deadstock and upcycled materials that would normally go to waste. The materials for these shoes were sourced from local suppliers that struggled with deadstock during the pandemic. This practice sustains our planet and those trying to make a living in it.
Vivienne Westwood
Stylist Anne says “Vivienne Westwood was an obvious choice when producing a sustainable editorial.” They use collections, collaborations and catwalk shows as platforms to capture imagination, promote design, and campaign for protecting our one earth.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow contributes to the fight against climate change and social issues by redesigning the process of conventional textile manufacturing. The certifications they work with are the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and the EU Ecolabel that sets out strict laws to control raw materials, production, use, disposal, and recycling.
Afore After
Afore After is one of the first Irish brands to adopt a circular approach, meaning that the environmental and social impact are carefully considered in design and manufacturing. With a focus on ethical production and sustainable materials, every raw material from the thread to the fabric has gone through rigorous certification processes.
Magee 1866
Natural fibers like wool, cashmere, flax, and alpaca are central to their collections. These natural fibers are renewable and biodegradable, coming from all-natural sources for a rich, soft feeling that can’t be imitated. Their design philosophy promotes the concept of slow fashion, with long-lasting products.
greens are good for you
Johanna and Kara are co-founders of greens are good for you, a fashion rental service. They are friends who have shared clothes for years, and now want the world to join in. Their goal is to allow customers to shop knowing they are consuming fashion in the most sustainable, and affordable way.
Earley Hats
All materials and adornments used by the company are up-cycled or sustainable, purchased from local Irish ethical suppliers.
Lia Cowen
The Dahlia top from the shoot is up-cycled from old curtains Lia had at home. Each flower is hand-gathered and carefully draped to fully embrace the fabric sculptural qualities.
Team credits
Photographer: Martin O’Neill
Stylist: Anne O’Shea @morgantheagency
Model: Clara McSweeney @NotAnotherAgency
Makeup: Polina Perminova @NotAnother Agency
Hair: Jake Ryan @jakeryan_hair
Set Assistant: Conor Keogh
Studio: Studio 10, Wicklow Street
