Mert & Marcus Capture Adut Akech, Bella Hadid + for Missoni FW 2019 Campaign

Mert & Marcus Capture Adut Akech, Bella Hadid + for Missoni FW 2019 Campaign

Models Adut Akech, Alton Mason, Bella Hadid and Dong Su Moo are styled by Vanessa Reid in Missoni’s Fall Winter 2019-20 Campaign lesed by Mert & Marcus. / Makeup by Holly Silius; hair by Cyndia Harvey

Cynthia Rowley Asks: Is Your Swimsuit Hurting the Oceans? Change Your Ways Then

If anyone can benefit from surfing in the Atlantic Ocean as a form of meditation, it’s veteran designer Cynthia Rowley. Montauk’s CR Suf Camp is headquarters for a meetup between Rowley and ELLE writer Faran Krentcil.

Rowley has battled fierce financial challenges for the last year, but her life is calm compared to the state of the world’s oceans. And surfers play their part in environmental damage. “Surfing is a reminder the world is bigger than me," Rowley explains, urging me back into the sea as the tide calms down. "The ocean is bigger than any of my problems.”

“Surfers are some of the most eco-conscious people in the world,” says Rowley, who's teamed with charities like the Surfrider Foundation to help promote cleaner beaches worldwide. “But for a long time, our primary uniform—the wetsuit—was made with polyester and really harmful plastics! The irony is mind-boggling... Once I saw how much plastic was in normal neoprene, I knew [surf wear] had to evolve.”

At a time when new designers are burnishing their eco-cred, Rowley has been marketing sustainable wetsuits, one-pieces, and bikinis for nearly 12 years. Partnering with a Thai factory for 12 years, Rowley may be one of the unsung heroes in today’s battle for sick oceans.

“We started with the basic stuff—figuring out how to make swimsuit ‘skin’ from recycled plastic bottles,” Rowley explains. “The ‘carbon black,’ which is the spongy filler inside neoprene? We make it with recycled tires. And then there are components nobody thinks about, like glue. Every wetsuit uses glue, and so do a ton of swimsuits. But glue is often made from harsh chemicals—we don’t want that. So we found a water-based glue instead. If some of it sheds or erodes, that’s okay—it’s water!” As for the neoprene itself, Rowley’s team makes it with limestone instead of liquid plastic, swapping out a toxic material for one that biodegrades.

And why not wear wetsuits year-round, asks Rowley. And be a poser? In response to die-hard surfers who object to wannabes co-opting their authentic fashion gear, the designer is frankly philosophical. “On the one hand, I get that some surfers treat their wetsuit like a tool, something that really belongs to them as part of surf culture, and they don’t want it co-opted as a fashion item. But we’re trying to change that, because surf culture can’t exist without sustainable living. And if you can turn one item of clothing into like three different outfits, and you love how you look? Then screw it and wear what you want.”

Stopping by CynthiaRowley.com to shop swimsuits, we note that there’s no mention of the great story behind the designer’s sustainable credentials. Searching in earnest for discussion of her commitment to sustainability, we note her CR Surf Camp story but nada on any mention of her concern for oceans.

Perhaps this is why eco-conscious fashionistas know little about Cynthia Rowley’s passion for returning our oceans to their natural glory. That’s a shame, because her story is a good one. ~ Anne

Cynthia Rowley’s CR Girls Camp in Montauk, Long Island, New York

Elizabeth Salt Honors Peruvian Culture in Images by Enrique Vega for Harper's Bazaar Mexico August 2019

Elizabeth Salt Honors Peruvian Culture in Images by Enrique Vega for Harper's Bazaar Mexico August 2019

Rising photographer Enrique Vega captures model Elizabeth Salt styed by Ovidiu Buta in Peru-inspired looks from Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Dior, Dries Van Noten, Prada, Stella McCartney and more for Harper’s Bazaar Mexico and Latin America August 2019.

'Modern Woman' Ruth Bell Suits Up In Bold Looks Lensed by Zoey Grossman for Harper's Bazaar September 2019

'Modern Woman' Ruth Bell Suits Up In Bold Looks Lensed by Zoey Grossman for Harper's Bazaar September 2019

Top model Ruth Bell suits up in glam, boss lady looks styled by Miguel Enamorado for ‘Modern Woman’, lensed by Zoey Grossman for Harper’s Bazaar US September 2019./ Hair by Joey George; makeup by Tyron Machhausen

Agata Pospieszynska Flashes Femke Huijzer In 'Time & Tide' for Harper's Bazaar UK September 2019

Agata Pospieszynska Flashes Femke Huijzer In 'Time & Tide' for Harper's Bazaar UK September 2019

Model Femke Huijzer channels sea goddess beauty, styled by Charlie Harrington in silvery, sea foam and mica-in-sand-inspired fabrics and silhouettes. Photographer Agata Pospieszynska captures Femke in ‘Time & Tide’ for Harper’s Bazaar UK September 2019./ Hair by Declan Sheils; makeup by Polly Osmond

Stephan Glathe Flashes Late Summer Beauty Schirin Frosch for ELLE Hungary September 2019

Stephan Glathe Flashes Late Summer Beauty Schirin Frosch for ELLE Hungary September 2019

Model Schirin Frosch soaks up late summer rays, styled by Susi Bauer in swim looks from Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Ganni and more. Photographer Stephan Glathe captures the sun-kissed beauty for ELLE Hungary September 2019./ Makeup by Julia Ziegler

Mikael Schulz Flashes Lotta Kaijärvi Eyes Wide Open for Vogue Czech September 2019

Mikael Schulz Flashes Lotta Kaijärvi Eyes Wide Open for Vogue Czech September 2019

Model Lotta Kaijärvi is all eyes for fall, styled by Jolene Lin in beauty looks by Ingeborg on makeup and hair by Linda Shalabi. Photographer Mikael Schulz is behind the lens for Vogue Czechoslovakia September 2019.

Aya Jones Wears Winter Splendor Lensed by Yeste Txema for Harper's Bazaar US September 2019

Aya Jones Wears Winter Splendor Lensed by Yeste Txema for Harper's Bazaar US September 2019

Joanna Hillman styles Paris-born model Aya Jones in winter elegance of epic proportions, lensed by Txema Yeste for Harper’s Bazaar US September 2019./ Hair by Joey George; makeup by Tyron Machhausen

Jasmine Sanders Celebrates PJ Lam's Vision of Grace + Glamour for #legend Magazine

Jasmine Sanders Celebrates PJ Lam's Vision of Grace + Glamour for #legend Magazine

‘Golden Barbie’ model Jasmine Sanders makes a sensually-dramatic, gorgeous impression in the August 2019 issue of #legend Magazine. Krisana Sotelo styles Jasmine in hyper feminine silhouettes, laces and details — with a cover hit of Bulgari jewelry just for effect.

Photographer PJ Lam, now Paris based, confirms details on her ‘about’ page, emphasizing art direction and “the glamour of physical gesture”. ‘Stunning’ is one of those overused words rarely found on AOC. Like a possessed lover, we only say it when we mean it.

Tim Hill + James Finnigan Flash Polo Ralph Lauren Denim's 'Wear Your Story' Fall 2019

Tim Hill + James Finnigan Flash Polo Ralph Lauren Denim's 'Wear Your Story' Fall 2019

Stories are the building blocks of relationships, families, communities, dynasties, and eras. This reality is the cornerstone of proverbial storyteller Polo Ralph Lauren Denim’s fall 2019 campaign. The Impression writes a uniquely lucid critique about the Polo Ralph Lauren ‘Wear Your Story’ campaign.

Models include Jegor Venned, Teresa Lourenco, George Okeny, Leila Dee Thomas, Altyn Simpson & Jeenu Mahadevan lensed by Tim Hill & James Finnigan, director Steven Brahms.

Rebecca Leigh Longendyke + Klara Kristin Go Wild for Louis Vuitton 'Monogram Jungle' Collection

Rebecca Leigh Longendyke + Klara Kristin Go Wild for Louis Vuitton 'Monogram Jungle' Collection

Model Rebecca Leigh Longendyke and actor Klara Kristin twin in Louis Vuitton’s new summer 2019 capsule ‘Monogram Jungle’ collection. Marie-Amélie Sauvé styles the duo in LV’s updated classic monogram on Neverfill, Onthego, NéoNoé bags and many more designs lensed by Stef Mitchell.

See the entire ‘Monogram Collection’.

Ethan James Green Captures Iris Strubegger in 'Vienese Waltz for WSJ Magazine September 2019

Ethan James Green Captures Iris Strubegger in 'Vienese Waltz for WSJ Magazine September 2019

Model Iris Strubeggerer is styled by Anastasia Barbieri in ‘Viennese Waltz’. Photographer Ethan James Green sets up shop in the art nouveau district of Austria’s capital for WSJ Magazine September 2019./ Hair by Shon Ju; makeup by Miranda Joyce

Cara Delevingne Bares All In Thomas Whiteside Images for Marie Claire US September 2019

Cara Delevingne Bares All In Thomas Whiteside Images for Marie Claire US September 2019

Top talent Cara Delevingne is styled by J Errico in Dior, Max Mara, Loewe, Tod’s, Versace and more for ‘Cara Delevingne Bares All’ — and she does. Thomas Whiteside is behind the lens for Marie Claire US September 2019.