Some Fashion Luxury Brands Are Just Buying Carbon Neutral Status -- Not Gabriela Hearst

Some Fashion Luxury Brands Are Just Buying Carbon Neutral Status -- Not Gabriela Hearst

Carbon Neutral Buzz

The new luxury fashion buzz word in the sustainability dialogue is “carbon neutral”. Long-time sustainable brand Gabriela Hearst delivered a carbon-neutral Spring 2020 runway show in New York, and Gucci announced to considerable fanfare that “it had achieved 100 percent carbon neutrality in its supply chain and operations.” How? By buying carbon offsets writes Vogue Business. Both Burberry in London and Gucci in Milan hosted carbon neutral Spring 2020 shows, again by buying carbon offsets.

Rachel Cernansky notes that the numbers add up on paper but buying carbon credits isn’t a substitute for actually reducing emissions, and ideally they follow — not lead — actual carbon-reduction improvements in the brand’s design, sales, marketing and manufacturing and manufacturing processes.

Gabriela Hearst Sets New Standards for NYFW

Gabriela Hearst is a leader in the sustainability sector. No one tops Stella McCartney, but Hearst makes a strong showing. Vogue Business shares innovations taken by Hearst that surely aren’t happening at either Gucci or Burberry.

The designer booked only local models (see photo above) for her SS20 New York show, and this new policy will become permanent. Hearst also cut out sample production for her supply chain and — this is a biggie — the designer is shipping product via boat, resulting in a longer 10-week delivery window.

New York’s CFDA website drills down even deeper on Gabriela Hearst’s initiatives for NYFW. She teamed up with her production company Bureau Betak to track every element of the show including insuring that the food used for catering to the models used only local and seasonal foodstuffs and the models’ hair was done without using electricity.

Unable to cut down on the emissions from private cars, Ubers, and taxis delivering guests to her September 10 show, Hearst gave guests a scarf featuring a print of animals that’ve have recently gone extinct. The Gabriella Hearst brand donated funds in guests names to Our Children’s Trust, the nonprofit organization based in Oregon that has filed lawsuits on behalf of youth plaintiffs against governments, arguing that they are infringing on the children’s rights to a stable climate system. Read on in Fashion & Brands.

Ghana’s Copyright Law for Folklore Hampers Cultural Growth

Ghana’s Copyright Law for Folklore Hampers Cultural Growth

Ghana has a rich folkloric tradition that includes Adinkra symbolsKente cloth, traditional festivals, music and storytelling. Perhaps one of Ghana’s best known folk characters is Ananse, the spider god and trickster, after whom the Ghanaian storytelling tradition Anansesem is named.

Ghana also has some of the world’s most restrictive laws on the use of its folklore. The country’s 2005 Copyright Act defines folklore as “the literary, artistic and scientific expressions belonging to the cultural heritage of Ghana which are created, preserved and developed by ethnic communities of Ghana or by an unidentified Ghanaian author”.

This suggests that the legislation, which is an update of a 1985 law, applies equally to traditional works where the author is unknown and new works derived from folklore where the author is known.

The rights in these works are “vested in the President on behalf of and in trust for the people of the republic”. These rights are also deemed to exist in perpetuity. This means that works which qualify as folkloric will never fall into the public domain – and will never be free to use.

The 1985 Act only restricted use of Ghana’s folklore by foreigners. The 2005 Act extended this to Ghanaian nationals. In principle, this means that a Ghanaian artist wishing to use Ananse stories, or a musician who wants to rework old folk songs or musical rhythms must first seek approval from the National Folklore Board and pay an undisclosed fee.

This is deeply problematic.

Stephan Lisowski Eyes Veroniek Gielkens + Aaron Shandel for Harper's Bazaar Russia October 2019

Stephan Lisowski Eyes Veroniek Gielkens + Aaron Shandel for Harper's Bazaar Russia October 2019

Models Veroniek Gielkens & Aaron Shandel deliver a sultry fashion editorial styled by Ekaterina Tabakova. Photographer Stephan Lisowski captures the luxurious sensuality for Harper’s Bazaar Russia October 2019./ Hair & makeup by Yulia Tochilova

Yulia Gorbachenko Captures Nisaa Pouncey in 'Gold Standard' for Harper's Bazaar US September 2019

Yulia Gorbachenko Captures Nisaa Pouncey in 'Gold Standard' for Harper's Bazaar US September 2019

Model Nisaa Pouncey is styled by Amanda Alagem in ‘Gold Standard’, lensed by Yulia Gorbachenko for Harper’s Bazaar September 2019./ Hair by Peter Gray; makeup by Kabuki

Curious about gold in cosmetics (and researching the eco-integrity of using gold leaf in GlamTribal jewelry beads) I checked out Harper’s Bazaar Beauty online. Nada. But Net-a-Porter has a 2019 article: Are Gold Face Masks Worth the Hype? If you search for gold cosmetics, many other products will come up. AOC is not a Net-a-Porter affiliate.

Grant James-Thomas Eyes Freya Lawrence + Niko Riam for Vogue Czech October 2019

Grant James-Thomas Eyes Freya Lawrence + Niko Riam for Vogue Czech October 2019

Models Freya Lawrence and Niko Riam are styled by Christopher Maul in ‘Between Heaven and Earth’, lensed by Grant James-Thomas for Vogue Czechoslovakia October 2019./ Hair by Adam Garland; makeup by Jo Frost

Agroforestry at 40: How Tree-Farm Science Has Changed the World

PEOPLE TERRACING SLOPING LAND TO CONTROL SOIL EROSION. PHOTO COURTESY OF CCAFS.

Agroforestry at 40: How Tree-Farm Science Has Changed the World

“Agroforestry” – the practice of having trees as part of farms – is as old as agriculture itself. But as a field of scientific enquiry and policy making, it’s now marking its 40th birthday.

In 1978 the International Council for Research in Agro-Forestry was created to document the use of trees on farms – as a source of income, food and for a healthy environment – and spread information about it. Research gradually became a stronger focus and today it is known as the World Agroforestry Centre.

It’s an important area of research because more than 40% of the worlds’ agricultural lands have at least 10% tree cover. Because the interactions between trees, soils, crops and livestock can be positive or negative, their relationship must be balanced and understood.

To mark this anniversary my colleagues and I from the World Agroforestry Centre, launched a book which takes stock of the science produced and what else needs to be done. A total of 80 authors looked at approaches to agroforestry and how it has contributed to the transformation of rural livelihoods and landscapes. (Note from Anne: you can read this entire book online for free, so follow the link.)

Luca Meneghel Shoots Nana Skovgaard in End of World Story for Vogue Portugal September 2019

Luca Meneghel Shoots Nana Skovgaard in End of World Story for Vogue Portugal September 2019

Model Nana Skovgaard is styled by Michele Bagnara in ‘The End of the Fucking World’, the cover story for Vogue Portugal September 2019. Luca Meneghel shoots one of the covers and this lead fashion editorial for VP’s ‘Planet Earth is the New Trend’ issue on environmental action and climate change ./ Makeup b Luciano Chiarello

Victoria's Secret Rolls Out Grace Elizabeth In For Love and Lemons Campaign by Zoey Grossman

Victoria's Secret Rolls Out Grace Elizabeth In For Love and Lemons Campaign by Zoey Grossman

Victoria's Secret celebrated their For Love & Lemons Lingerie collaboration with founders Laura Hall and Gillian Rose Kern and Collection Muses Devon Lee Carlson and Solange Van Doorn. at a FLL x Victoria’s Secret launch party Thursday night

Victoria’s Secret Chief Executive Officer John Mehas delivers another major signal about his vision for a revitalized Victoria’s Secret, one that is “by her, for her” and that includes LA-based photographer Zoey Grossman shooting VS Angel Grace Elizabeth in the first release of campaign images.

Real Life Rebel Cara Delevingne Fancies Herself a Dior Teddy Girl; Nice Try, Cara!

Real Life Rebel Cara Delevingne Fancies Herself a Dior Teddy Girl; Nice Try, Cara!

Talented multi-hyphenate Cara Delevingne fancies herself a Teddy Girl, but in reality she read about them in boarding school. Not that anyone doubts Delevingne’s rebel credentials, but in these gorgeous Dior Fall 2019 images from V Magazine.com, she must be having a dinner date with Celine’s bourgeois woman.

Faretta Radic Is Luxury Bag Lady in ‘Paris Fétiche’ by Mel Bles for Vogue Paris September 2019

Faretta Radic Is Luxury Bag Lady in ‘Paris Fétiche’ by Mel Bles for Vogue Paris September 2019

Model Faretta Radic shows off fall 2019 luxury handbag trends, in ‘Paris Fétiche’, lstyled by Morgane Bedel.. Mel Bles is behind the lens for Vogue Paris September 2019./ Makeup by Laura Dominique; hair by Ramona Eschbach

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott Lensed by Sasha Samsonova for PLAYBOY 'The Pleasure Issue'

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott Lensed by Sasha Samsonova for PLAYBOY 'The Pleasure Issue'

Recently crowned by Forbes as the youngest self-made billionaire — taking the crown from Mark Zuckerberg — Kylie Jenner smolders in ‘Wild in Love’: Kylie by Travis for the new issue of PLAYBOY Magazine. Photographer Sasha Samsonova is behind the lens for ‘The Pleasure Issue’ Fall 2019.

Travis Scott comes through this interview every bit as cool as Kylie. A major talent in his own right, Scott plays second fiddle to his woman — except the result is a well-balanced duet. I’m not sure Scott wants to be perceived as charming (such an old-school word) but he is just that, checking his own ego at the front door and getting down to the business of dishing on Kylie.

Let’s hope this sexy couple and Stormi’s parents make sweet music for years to come.

Olga Rubio Dalmau Captures Vitaliia in Dance-Ready Glam for L'Officiel India

Olga Rubio Dalmau Captures Vitaliia in Dance-Ready Glam for L'Officiel India

Photographer Olga Rubio Dalmau creates high-lustre images of model Vitaliia, styled by Laia Gomez Ortiz in ‘Disco Chic’ modern looks rooted in ancient memories for L’Officiel India.

Really Good News: Jeff Bezos Announces Exciting, Sweeping Plans for Amazon's Climate Action Goals

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos unveiled a sweeping plan on Thursday, the day before 1000 Amazon Seattle employees will join colleagues at Google and Microsoft in walking off their jobs to support the September 20, 2019 Global Climate Strike and marches around the world. The sweeping new plan unveiled by Bezos commits the company to meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement 10 years ahead of schedule.

As part of the announcement, Amazon will purchase 100,000 electric delivery vans from vehicle manufacturer Rivian. They will be on the road as early as 2021, giving the company a big boost in keeping its climate policy promise to make Amazon carbon neutral by 2040. All 100,000 vans should be on the road by 2024. Note that Amazon has already invested $440 million in Rivian, which raised as part of its $700 million February 2019 round of funding.

Rivians will be built in Michigan in Normal, Illinois, alongside the SUVs and pickups Rivian plans to build in a former Mitsubishi plant, reports The Detroit News.

"This provides an opportunity for mega-tech, through the sheer size and capital available, to invest in electric vehicle and accelerate EV penetration," Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas wrote in a Thursday note to investors. Read on in New Day.

Cara Delevingne Fronts Dior Beauty Campaign Lensed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino

Cara Delevingne Fronts Dior Beauty Campaign Lensed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino

Super talent Cara Delevingne share the initials of Christian Dior and more in her latest campaign for the luxury brand. Styled by Mariel Haenn, Cara wears luxe neutrals that play a supporting role in the Dior Makeup shoot by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. / Makeup by Peter Philips; hair by Ben Skervin

Youth Climate Movement Puts Ethics at the Center of the Global Debate

Youth Climate Movement Puts Ethics at the Center of the Global Debate

Even if you’ve never heard of Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish environmentalist who crossed the Atlantic on a sailboat to attend a Sept. 23 United Nations summit on the climate, you may have heard about the student-led Global Climate Strike she helped inspire, planned for Friday, Sept. 20.

People from more than 150 countries are expected to head to the streets to demand climate action. According to the organizers, the strike aims “to declare a climate emergency and show our politicians what action in line with climate science and justice means.”

The strike was galvanized by a global youth movement, whose Friday school walkouts over the last year were themselves inspired by Thunberg’s own three-week strike in August 2018 to demand climate action by the Swedish parliament.

People of all ages will be joining this year’s protests at the United Nations, and adults – with their environmental organizations, climate negotiations and election campaigns – are gradually getting on board. The Union of Concerned Scientists even published an “Adult’s Guide” to the climate strike to help parents of participants get up to speed.