Celebrities often have stylists lined up to wear their latest creations. But in recent years, some stars have made a conscious decision to go greener when it comes to their fashion choices. After all, studies show that the fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions.
We have brought together some of these admirable celebrities who are using their status to make sustainable fashion an enduring trend. Find out if your favorite made it to this list!
Tiffany Haddish
Eight, that’s the total number of times comedian Tiffany Haddish wore this $4,000 Alexander McQueen dress. When she bought the dress back in 2017, she knew she had to make the most out of it given the price tag. And today, the look has become both a Hollywood running joke and a certified icon, all because Haddish chose to be practical.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Also, a passionate environmentalist is Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who invested in the eco-friendly footwear company, Allbirds, in 2018. But his efforts for sustainable fashion didn’t stop there. To support ape conservation, DiCaprio teamed up with primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall and launched a vegan clothing line named “Don’t Let Them Disappear.”
Jane Fonda
Known to be a fierce climate activist, Jane Fonda has sworn off buying new clothes all together. For her, people shouldn’t look to shopping to find their identity. Add to that the fact that the fashion industry is a major contributor to global warming, Fonda vowed to not purchase any more clothes ever again.
Zendaya
It’s no secret that Zendaya is a seasoned red-carpet darling. But even more admirable is how this fashionista uses her platform to push sustainability forward. Apart from wearing a lot of vintage outfits to events, she is also reportedly creating an archive of some of her past looks together with her stylist, Law Roach. She hopes to reuse those clothes in the future.
Olivia Wilde
“Choose Used” is the tagline of Olivia Wilde’s collaboration with online the thrift store ThreadUp. Together, they promote and sell secondhand clothes to reduce textile waste and encourage sustainable fashion. It’s not surprising for Wilde, considering she also started Conscious Commerce, a company that aims to connect sustainable business models with non-profits foundations.
Joaquin Phoenix
Eco-friendly designer Stella McCartney is the constant go-to of celebrities who advocate for green fashion. So she became the perfect partner for Joaquin Phoenix’s journey to sustainable red carpet fashion. During the Golden Globe Awards in 2020, Phoenix debuted this custom Stella McCartney tuxedo. But putting his money where his mouth is, he put on the same exact outfit 6 times to every awards show he attended that year!
Nicky Hilton Rothschild
Paris Hilton’s younger sister, Nicky, has always been a fashion icon in her own right. In fact, she started her first ever clothing line as early as 2004. In 2019, she dipped her toes in the field of footwear and collaborated with the New York-based boutique, French Sole. Fast-forward to 2021 and the partnership has launched a 4th footwear line, which now focuses on sustainable materials and vegan shoe styles.
Gisele Bündchen
Not only did Gisele Bündchen turn heads at the 2018 Met Gala with this glorious champagne gold Versace gown, she also made a bold statement because the dress was actually eco-friendly! According to the luxury brand itself, the gown was made from 100% organic silk, and the crystal embroidery was created using recycled bottles from Brazil.
Rosario Dawson
With the goal of supporting communities in Africa through fashion, actress Rosario Dawson, together with her friend Abrima Erwiah, founded Studio 189 in 2013. The socially-conscious clothing line produces African-inspired clothing, made by African artisans themselves. The company currently has a manufacturing facility in Ghana and also employs traditional techniques in clothes-making.
Billy Porter
This Broadway superstar is a bona fide showman, whether on stage or on the red carpet. But for the 73rd Tony Awards, Porter took his fashion game a notch higher by wearing an ensemble from eco-minded label Celestino Couture. The fashion house created the look from repurposed theater curtains used in Porter’s smash Broadway musical, “Kinky Boots.”
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
The Duchess of Cambridge has always been a champion of sustainable clothing. Not only does she re-wear her clothes multiple times, she is often seen wearing looks from up-and-coming designers that push sustainability above all else. For the Cop26 conference in November 2021, she donned a quilted khaki vest from Ganni made from recycled polyester, paired it with her old Chloé boots!
Rooney Mara
When Rooney Mara ventured into the world of fashion design, she made sure to keep things environment-friendly first and foremost. So together with her best friend, she launched the vegan clothing brand Hiraeth which utilizes cruelty-free vegan materials that last a long time.
Emma Watson
In recent years, Emma Watson has become a poster child for ethical fashion. She insists on wearing brands that are cruelty-free, zero-waste, and sustainable. One of her most memorable looks is this black and white ensemble that features an upcycled couture wedding gown, paired with bootcut black pants.
Angelina Jolie
It’s no surprise that the actor and activist Angelina Jolie is a fierce advocate of sustainable fashion. Not only does she teach her kids the value of rewearing past outfits, but she is also often spotted wearing clothes from fashion brands with B-Corp status, such as Chloé.
