Monday, April 29, 2024

Angelina Jolie Steps Up for Sustainable Fashion With 2 New Commitments

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Angelina Jolie has taken on a new role as Strategic Advisor on the advisory board of the sustainable fashion label, Another Tomorrow. She’s also the latest celebrity to back New York’s Fashion Act legislation.

Actress, humanitarian, and entrepreneur Angelina Jolie, who launched her own sustainable fashion label Atelier Jolie last year, took on the advisor role at Another Tomorrow as part of her commitment to transforming the fashion industry through sustainability, innovative supply chain practices, and ethical considerations. The label was founded in 2020 by Vanessa Barboni Hallik, a former finance executive. Jolie’s appointment comes as she announced she is also backing New York’s Fashion Act legislation, aimed at bringing more transparency and sustainable practices to the industry. If passed into law, New York’s Fashion Act will require brands who sell in the state with revenue of more than $100 million to commit to Science-Based Targets to reduce their environmental impact, as well as reveal key details about their supply chains. More than 80 brands now support the legislation, including Patagonia, Reformation, and Stella McCartney. It has also garnered support from celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jane Fonda.

“Everyone is aware, I think, of the waste of natural resources, overconsumption and overproduction, and labour rights violations that currently take place in the industry and society as a whole,” Jolie told Vogue. “These are some of the ills many of us want to see corrected, and without legislation and the momentum of a movement to rein in these practices, progress won’t be possible.”

Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton
Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton | Courtesy

Jolie says people within the fashion industry who are working to try to do things the right way, “being transparent about supply chains and paying workers a fair wage,” are facing an increasing number of companies doing things the opposite way, such as fast fashion giants Shein and Temu. She says the proposed legislation would require transparency. “[Brands should] be transparent about supply chains so consumers can be empowered to decide where to direct their resources and support,” Jolie said.

That commitment is also why she joined Another Tomorrow. “Vanessa is building a different path in this industry,” she said in a statement. “She saw all the shortcomings and roadblocks that have long been accepted as rote, and she is taking them on and modeling how to work differently. To be part of this momentum is exciting to me, and for the outcome to be elevated clothing that comes from a thoughtful and humane supply chain makes it all the more beautiful,” Jolie added. The brand’s focus on sustainable sourcing and transparency in its supply chain, supported by digital ID technology, enables traceability and authenticated resale, promoting a circular economy within the fashion industry.

Barboni Hallik and Jolie’s partnership is centered on fostering knowledge exchange, community building, and establishing an environmentally friendly supply chain from scratch. Their collective aim is to innovate within the apparel industry, making sustainability scalable and a viable business model. Barboni Hallik highlighted the importance of understanding the value chain behind every garment, which encompasses nature, energy, people, and often overlooked animals, in reducing the environmental footprint of their products.

Model for Another Tomorrow.
Another Tomorrow is committed to sustainable, transparent fashion | Courtesy

This strategic alliance is further enhanced by Jolie’s humanitarian efforts and Barboni Hallik’s vision for Another Tomorrow to redefine a responsible future for fashion. “Angelina’s deep humanitarian commitment and her expansive vision are a consistent source of inspiration for me as Another Tomorrow seeks to redefine a responsible and resilient future for fashion,” Barboni Hallik said, praising Jolie’s influence on the brand’s mission. The collaboration also extends to supporting the creative community, as demonstrated by Ghanaian-born designer Mimi Plange’s workshop at Atelier Jolie’s New York City location, which serves multiple purposes including retail, gallery, and café operations in partnership with refugee organizations, offering repair and upcycling services.

Another Tomorrow’s commitment to ethical fashion was showcased during Paris Fashion Week with its latest collection focusing on smart workwear, free from leather, conventional silk, down, or exotic skins. The brand’s innovation in sustainable textiles includes plastic-free bio-based leather, no-kill silk, and seaweed-based SeaCell, among others. Additionally, Another Tomorrow actively supports legislation aimed at regulating the fashion industry’s sustainability practices, animal welfare, and the use of insecticides in cotton farming.

“We’re committed to carrying and working with designers who are operating in ways that are not only in line with the Fashion Act, but go above and beyond,” Jolie said.

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