The second pre-Oscars Green Carpet Fashion Awards, led by Eco-Age’s Livia Firth, brought stars together to celebrate sustainable fashion, industry luminaries, and climate action.
The stars came out in full force for the second annual Green Carpet Fashion Awards last night taking place at the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood. The event was hosted by activist and Eco-Age founder Livia Firth along with Zendaya, Helen Hunt, Annie Lennox, Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous People Sônia Guajajara, and Vanessa Nakate, a Ugandan climate justice activist. Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett were announced as co-hosts but were not in attendance.
Donatella Versace received the Green Carpet Fashion Awards Changemaker Award and delivered a powerful message about embracing change and advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, highlighting the importance of love and resistance against hate. “I have always tried to embrace change even when it felt very difficult to do it,” Versace said. She also highlighted the tragic death of trans teen Nex Benedict, urging attendees to consider their role in driving societal change.
Not on the guest list but making a notable appearance was actor Jennifer Coolidge, who helped present the Changemaker Award to Versace alongside Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. “I am sort of an imposter here tonight,” the “White Lotus” star told the crowd. “I am just staying in the hotel. I didn’t know about this. I didn’t know it existed. I didn’t know how incredible [it is]. I got in on this in a sneaky little way. I just want you to know I am so impressed. And I am going to give some money tonight. I made great friends.”
Longtime environmentalist and model Amber Valletta introduced an innovative plant-forward menu item highlighting sustainable fashion practices, telling guests they were about to be “eating their jeans”. The night’s main course of pasta was served with Firth’s 4-ingredient tomato sauce grown using compostable Candiani Coreva denim. Valletta’s Triarchy tuxedo dress was made from the same denim material.
Speaking to Vogue about the dress, Valletta hinted that she may be wearing it to more red (or green) carpet events in years to come. “It’s recyclable and completely biodegradable — but that would be only after wearing it for a long, long time. We still don’t want to buy something to wear just once and then shred it.”
John Legend, who received the Rebel Award presented by Shaka Senghor, performed Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” and was celebrated for his efforts to end mass incarceration through his FreeAmerica foundation.
Ireland’s former president Mary Robinson, who received the Healer Award, addressed attendees and called for urgent action from wealthier nations to support those more vulnerable to environmental changes. Kalpona Akter received the Messenger Award from Lennox. A former sweatshop worker who has become a leading advocate for workers’ rights in Bangladesh, Akter challenged attendees to make a difference for workers worldwide.
Greenland Indigenous climate activist Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq received the Visionary Award, presented by Trudie Styler. Angakkorsuaq shared his lifelong mission to raise awareness about the melting ice masses, emphasizing the spiritual connection to Earth and the collective responsibility to protect it. Ugandan presidential candidate Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie Kyagulanyi received the Futurist Award, presented by poet Rupi Kaur. A documentary about Wine, “Bobi Wine, the People’s President” is nominated for best documentary feature at the Oscars this Sunday.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres received the Sage Award from Nakate. He was recognized for his dedication to environmental and social justice, with Vanessa Nakate delivering the honor on behalf of young leaders. “This incredible night is exactly why the Green Carpet Fashion Awards are different,” Firth said. “Fashion and entertainment is our platform but we are in the business of transformation. This is how we move the narrative of the climate crisis, and this is how together we refashion the world.”
Related on Ethos:
