Social media has established a more personal consumer-producer relationship that has proved a perfect match for sustainable fashion, whose devotees demand a more transparent supply chain. With the worlds fashion house’s scrambling to balance a sense of mystery and yet humanize their brand through social media marketing, its tremendous impact within the industry is leading to environmentally conscious fashion editorial trending in both mainstream and fashion art publications.
Magnum Photo’s annual, limited edition fashion issue was directed by Newsweek documentary photographer, Paolo Pellegrin. An unusual choice to lead a fashion magazine, his gritty black and white photography acutely captures his concept entitled “Storm,” as a “rethinking of how we conduct ourselves, of how we inhabit this world.” Highlighting the interconnectedness of man and nature, which “has a fascinating way of reminding us of its presence and power,” he says, referring to this April’s ash-cloud fiasco. The unconventional editorial and striking imagery include interviews with progressive visionaries in the field including Bruce Mau, founder of eco-design think tank “Massive Change,” postmodern anthropologist Mark Augé and outspoken fashion designers Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney.
Sleek and imaginative, new online art, culture, and fashion magazine, The Wild, has released its first issue joining online publications such as Dis and Contributing Editor as evidence that high concept editorial can be just as compelling online as on paper. Conceived from the standpoint that “fashion, design, and style are not mutually exclusive from the social and cultural issues that impact our world,” the inaugural issue is filled with beautiful photography and intelligent content discussing social and environmental issues. The inspiring fashion pictorial includes a discriminating mix of designer, vintage and eco pieces (from EcoSalon fav, designer Samantha Pleet).
Proving beauty isn’t skin deep, the summer edition of fashion art magazine, Muse, is billed as their green issue and features a triple cover release featuring three green-oriented supermodel moms: Angela Lindvall, Isabeli Fontana and Gisele Bundchen. At the top of her game, influential Budchen’s eco activism is impressive. Her projects include her eco-friendly sandal collection, Ipanema, whose profits this year funded the Tamar project, an environmental program that protects sea turtles, and her skin care line, Sejaa, made from 100 percent natural ingredients, packaged from recycled materials and devised as a way to empower young women through positive self-image.