ANGELA LINDVALL
Angela Lindvall proved her green cred in 2001 when she founded The Collage Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes environmental awareness and positive change. Five years later, she co-hosted Planet Green’s Alter Eco series with actor Adrian Grenier. Not long after, Lindvall became one of the founding board members of the “Clean by Design,” a Natural Resource Defense Council initiative to sustainably revolutionize the textile industry in China.
In addition, the model is one of jeweler John Hardy’s frequent collaborators. On Earth Day 2011, Lindvall unveiled a collection of Balinese-inspired jewelry made from recycled sterling silver.
AMBER VALLETTA
Amber Valletta is more than your average supermodel-actress-environmentalist. In a bid to get people to “buy better,” the multihyphenate talent partnered with with Yooxygen to curate a collection of clothing and accessories from brands that are as innovative as they are environmentally responsible. “Master & Muse” includes sustainable jeans by Goodsociety, organic knits from M.Patmos, recycled-leather moto jackets from The Sway, handmade shoes from Guava, and zero-waste jumpsuits by Daniel Silverstein’s 100% NY label.
“I have discovered artisans, brands, and designers who are courageously pushing the envelope in how fashion is designed, sourced, constructed, and sold,” Valletta said when the site debuted. “I am thrilled to offer you these stylish clothes and accessories that are made responsibly and thoughtfully. Join me and together we’ll make it fashionable to buy better.”
COCO ROCHA
Coco Rocha certainly isn’t twiddling her thumbs between runway appearances and photo shoots. In 2012, the Canadian clotheshorse teamed up with Senhoa, a California-based nonprofit that supports victims of human trafficking, to develop a collection of seven jewelry pieces. Handcrafted by the same women Senhoa is seeking to rehabilitate and empower, the baubles contributed to their shelter, education, vocational training, and renewed sense of self-worth.
“Our slogan with the ‘Coco Rocha for Senhoa’ line is ‘accessorize your conscience’ because unlike many of the purchases you might make for yourself, you don’t need to feel guilty about this one,” Rocha said during the launch. “Once the older girls are paid for their time as jewelry-makers, all the profit goes to fund the food, medicine, shelter, and education of the younger ones. It’s a cycle of girls helping girls and I’m so proud to be a part of it all.”
IMAN
The first supermodel of color, Somalia-born Iman is as much known for her statuesque figure as her charitable work. Besides serving as the ambassador-cum-spokeswoman for Keep a Child Alive and Save the Children, and the Children’s Defense Fund, Iman also works with the Enough Project to help end the global trade in “blood diamonds” and conflict minerals.
In 2004, Iman reportedly ended her contract with De Beers over the diamond giant’s alleged exploitation of the bushmen of Botswana.
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