Supermodel Arizona Muse on her favourite sustainable fashion brands

We’ll wear what she’s wearing

By Lena Kamarudin & Saw Yone Yone - 30 Jan 2024

Photo: Teodora Berglund and Biodynamic Farm in England Waltham Place

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It’s no secret that American supermodel Arizona Muse is invested in the environmental impact of fashion. Muse spoke to Her World about her quest to spread more awareness on this issue starting from supporting small, sustainably ethical businesses. She explains: “A business who's making things sustainably, they're usually really small, and they really appreciate your business. So, the more we can do to support these small businesses who are doing things right, the better the world will become and the better you feel about what you wear.”

“A business who's making things sustainably, they're usually really small, and they really appreciate your business. So, the more we can do to support these small businesses who are doing things right, the better the world will become and the better you feel about what you wear.”

Arizona Muse

She explains why it’s important to understand where the clothes come from because once you’re educated that’s when you will start making informed and conscious shopping choices. “Once you're on the journey, once you know the stuff, you will never go back.You won’t want that anymore. That sparkly sequined dress - if you know that those sequins are made of plastic that's polluting the earth - you won’t make that purchase. The chemicals that were used in the polyester or all the underpaid workers making that garment - you don’t want to be part of that circle. That’s why I think that education is very important.”

While she does agree that we are progressing in terms of awareness and actions there’s still so much to learn and unlearn. For example there is the misconception about leather and that we should stop using it but Muse says, “As long as we're managing those animals responsibly on the farm, treating them ethically, they are an essential part of a healthy agricultural system. And of course, using their leather is part of that.” In fact, according to Muse, wearing leather is also a healthy way to support farmers because leather is a high value product.

However when it came to the topic of vegan leather, she shared that vegan leather is usually made of plastic. “If you want to be healthy for the earth, just avoid leather alternatives. Wear linen or cotton, ” Muse adds. Of course you should always check that the fibres were grown in a way that supports the biodiversity of the farm that they were grown on.

Lastly, if you had to choose between linen and cotton - choose linen. Muse schools us by explaining how linen is inherently more sustainable than cotton. “When it comes to linen, because it's a much harder crop, it doesn't need the amount of pesticides that cotton needs. Cotton is a very vulnerable crop. It likes lots of water, lots of sunshine, and lots of pesticides, because it gets these cotton worms that live in it.”

Muse (pictured above on her trip to Singapore last year wearing a dress from Olistic The Label) shares with us how we can make a change, no matter how small, starting from our wardrobe choices.

Olistic The Label

Credit: Olistic The Label

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Declaring itself the "first French certified sustainable brand in the luxury ready-to-wear market", Olistic features garments inspired by designer and founder Camille Jaillant's French-Swiss background. These timeless and elegant designs are made from eco-friendly materials such as GOTS-certified organic peace silk (meaning silkworms were not killed), wood fibres and recycled leathers.

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Yosuzi

Credit: Yosuzi

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Yosuzi Sylvester's eponymous brand prides itself on its intricately woven hats and handbags. She was inspired by her own native Guajiro heritage, and the exposure she had to traditional Woma hats and the skilled Venezuelan artisans who'd hand-weave them. Made with 100% natural iraka palm straw, these hats are also full of cultural significance: the weaving techniques and patterns are unique to her tribe. The brand's product line, now expanded to include other woven goods from the region, are all cruelty-free and organic.

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Officina Del Poggio

Credit: Officina Del Poggio

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The typical leather production process, especially the leather tanning, is known to be environmentally detrimental: it leaves behind copious amounts of wastewater, plenty of air pollution and solid waste. Officina Del Poggio uses a more environmentally-friendly process for tanning leather: vegetable tanning, which uses natural tannins gathered from organic matter like trees. Officina Del Poggia’s trendless, timeless leather accessories and footwear are made-to-order, thereby minimising waste. A member of Earth Shop, a list of environmentally conscious brands compiled by Arizona Muse’s DIRT Charity, you can be assured that the brand’s products are sustainable: they even donate 3% of proceeds back to the climate charity.

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Goldsign

Credit: Goldsign

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Goldsign, which is owned by denim group Citizens of Humanity, takes steps towards environmental sustainability. Denim production is well-known for its energy consumption, exorbitant water wastage, and chemical pollution, especially as cotton is also linked to persistent pesticide use that poisons ecosystems. Goldsign’s denim aims to minimise this impact: they are making use of recycled cotton and going direct to farms with regenerative farming techniques, which reduces carbon emissions and maintains soil health. By having limited production runs, the brand also minimises waste.

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Lilian von Trapp

Credit: Lilian von Trapp

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Lilian von Trapp’s jewellery is timeless, elegant and—most importantly—environmentally sustainable. The jewellery trade doesn’t have a sparkling reputation when it comes to environmental consciousness: mining for materials like gold or diamond caused water shortages and soil erosion, and that’s before all the labour rights violations. Lilian von Trapp aims to make a difference, with a stringent focus on recycled materials. For example, their gold is 100% recycled, sourced from a partnership with a German refinery. They are also committed to manufacturing locally, working with German goldsmiths, and thereby reducing their carbon footprint.

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Nashira Arnó Studio

Credit: Nashira Arnó Studio

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Nashira Arnó Studio aims to create contemporary jewellery with a touch of heritage craftsmanship. They take environmental sustainability seriously. Their fine metals are 100% recycled and their packaging is recyclable and fair-trade certified, making use of handwoven dried palm leaf baskets. They are members of 1% For The Planet, a global movement comprising businesses that support initiatives towards a healthier planet. Their emphasis on creating long-lasting, quality heirloom products and slow living also aims to create a more sustainable pace of consumption.

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Another Tomorrow

Credit: Another Tomorrow

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Another Tomorrow is a luxury brand creating minimalist, sensual clothes that remains as timeless staples in the wardrobe. Founded with sustainability as one of their fundamental pillars, they make heavy use of recycled materials, such as recycled cashmere or recycled polyester buttons. This use of recycled materials even extends to their packaging. They take steps to minimise waste products and their carbon footprint, keeping their production local. The brand even has a resale programme, using digital ID technology to help customers easily resell their garments—thereby minimising waste.

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Only Essentials

Credit: Only Essentials

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Only Essentials specialises in ethical, traceable merino wool garments sourced from South Island, New Zealand. With the wool they use being ZQ-certified, customers can rest assured that the wool is traceable back to their individual farms, which are all obliged to develop environmental plans for their farms (which means projects like ensuring the water remains drinkable, or planting native tree species on their land) and are regularly audited. They also keep their supply chains short and carbon footprint low, with their clothes being manufactured in Auckland, New Zealand.

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