FASHION ACTIVISM

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Model Mafia

Founded in 2017 by models Cameron Russell and Áine Campbell, the model mafia is now hundreds  fashion models strong, brought together to work towards a more equitable, just, sustainable industry and world. We are a self-moderated, self-organizing group based in New York City, but with members opening hubs in Los Angeles and the Netherlands in 2018, as well as branching out into subgroups including Models of Color and Models for Sustainability. We have a lively listserv, and our community members frequently organize events from serving our local communities (doing things like gardening and beach clean-ups), to educating ourselves (through book groups and online classes), to organizing around issues we care about (e.g. working groups on ending sexual harassment and abuse in fashion). While 2017 has been a hard year for people and planet, finding a way to come together, to build a leaderful powerful community, has been an source of genuine hope and joy.

Are you a model interested in joining our next action?

Email your name and agency to ModelActivist@gmail.com and join hundreds models who want to help build a more just sustainable industry and world. 

MODEL ACTIVIST X PORTER

Some of the most exciting work we’re doing with Model Activist is about performance. How can we make images and tell stories in mainstream media that celebrate the collective? What does it look like to showcase community over single celebrities? In a radical portfolio in Porter Magazine we got to run FOUR COVERS featuring 17 leaders, and take group shots featuring even more leadership. See the story here.

COLLABORATORS // 1 Kouka Webb Advocate for climate justice @iamkouka. 2 Hartje Andresen Campaigner for environmental reform @iamhartje. 3 Meisha BrooksChampion of models’ rights @meishabrooks. 4 Maya Monès Campaigner for trans and non-binary models @br0nz3_g0dd3ss. 5 Dominyka Gajauskaite Sustainability activist @dominykag. 6 Austria Aulloa Campaigner for diversity in the fashion industry @austriaulloa. 7 Jess Perez Advocate for fair pay in fashion @jesslperez. 8 Katharina Rembi Sustainability activist @katharinarembi. 9 Naomi ShimadaAdvocate for model diversity @naomishimada. 10 Leyna Bloom Campaigner for trans models @leynabloom. 11 Renee Peters Sustainability activist @renee.elizabethpeters. 12 Zuzanna Krzatala Activist for immigrant and refugee rights @zubizubizu. 13 Jessica Jones Campaigner for environmental awareness @jessica__jones. 14 Brana Dane Champion of animal rights and veganism @branadane. 15 Briana Holmer Advocate for holistic health @brianaholmer. 16 Trinelle Bartholomew Advocate for racial and gender justice @trinelle_bartholomew. 17 Gelila Bekele Campaigner for the education of young women @gelila.bekele. 18 Cleo Abram Campaigner for sustainability reform @cleoabram. 19 Kaye Li Taylor Part of the Model Alliance @kayelitaylor. 20 Ewa Budka Advocate for womens’ rights @ewabudka. 21 Nimue Smit Ambassador for the Model’s Health Pledge @nimuesmit. 22 Inga Eiriksdottir Campaigner for model diversity @ingaerla. 23 Erin WilliamsChampion of childbirth education @erin_doulight. 24 Helen Henderson Campaigner for environmental awareness @helen.s.henderson. 25 Chloe Hayward Campaigner for reform in the fashion industry @chloeahayward. 26 Áine Rose Campbell Co-founder of Model Mafia @ainerosecampbell. 27 Cameron Russell Co-founder of Model Mafia @cameronrussell. 28 Alyssa Daugherty Founder of Cahootz Model Community @miss.alyss.oc. 29 Shivani Persad Host of podcast More Than Model @liveshiv. 30 Sinead Bovell Founder of WAYE @sineadbovell. 31 Emilyne Mondo Advocate for social reform @emilynemondo. 32 Summer Rayne Oakes Campaigner for environmental justice @homesteadbrooklyn. 33 Ebonee Davis Activist for the representation of black models @eboneedavis. 34 Kenza Fourati Campaigner for ethical design @kenzafourati

Photography: CARLOTA GUERERRO

(February 2017) @hawa_22 lead the #modelmafia in organizing a small group of green card holders and undocumented friends, a gathering of the minds and hearts in an effort to gain knowledge and connect in solidarity during this time. With lawyers, im…

(February 2017) @hawa_22 lead the #modelmafia in organizing a small group of green card holders and undocumented friends, a gathering of the minds and hearts in an effort to gain knowledge and connect in solidarity during this time. With lawyers, immigrant officials and government employees in attendance, they worked to create a structure to move forward.

2017 Initiatives/Events:

  • raised almost 20k to support activists on the front lines at Standing Rock and in Houston

  • been part of 4 runway shows celebrating sustainability at the UN (led by @annetheresebengtsson), @uprosebrooklyn's climate youth justice summit, the Elizabeth Street Garden (led by @carolfontaneti and @jessica__jones), and most recently

  • We invested in growing our knowledge by hosting the very first #modelmafiabookclub with the author of Threadbare, participating in an Instagram masterclass, and taking part in Infinite Growth, an online course on honing a holistic vision for our lives and community.

  • We also invested in building that community by hosting picnics (@kayelitaylor), dinners (@branadane), and film nights (@iamhartje)!

  • We protested 45 together (over and over)

  • We rented a bus and went to D.C. to participate in the @peoplesclimate march

  • We told our own stories with extra special help from model/director @gelila.bekele for the huffington post, and model/media maker @cleoabram for vox, and most recently on instagram using the momentum of the #metoo moment to challenge our industry to become a safer more respectful workplace (shout out to @zubizubizu and @ainerosecampbell for organizing us to figure out what's next).

  • We've celebrated model entrepreneurs whose start-ups are blooming this year, like @sineadbovell, @hawa_22, @brittbergmeister, and @annetheresebengtsson.

  • We are going into 2018 full of potential and energy...and plans, including opening the very first European #modelmafia hub in the Netherlands led by @nimuesmit, and a hub in LA lead by @alyana, as well as sub groups dedicated to models of color and sustainable fashion.

PEOPLE'S PILGRIMAGE 10/2016

17 models marched in the Brooklyn People's Pilgrimage including Lily Donaldson, Bella Hadid, Toni Garrn, Grace Bol, Arlenis Sosa, Aya Jones, Luma Grothe, Stella Maxwell, Barbara Palvin, and Irina Liss. With a combined 8 million followers, sharing their support for an international agreement on climate change spread quickly (and was picked up by i-D and Vogue). Photos: Mei Tao

#EARTH TO PARIS MARCH NYC   

11/2015

#FLOWER CHALLENGE 12/2015

In September during the UN General Assembly, together with Inez and Vinoodh, Vogue, and director Damani Baker, we profiled and photographed (holding flowers) 13 of the most influential women working to save the planet from climate change. On the launch of the biggest climate conference ever, the #COP21, we asked to show their support by posting selfies holding flowers with the text: "A reminder that life is beautiful, fragile, and connected. Post a pic with a flower and show your love for our natural world. End climate change now! #FlowerChallenge #COP21"

COLLABORATORS: Christy Turlington, Kendall Jenner, Doutzen Kroes, Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima, Joan Smalls, Lily Donaldson, Lily Adlridge, Irina Shayk, Karen Elson,  Maryna Linchuk, and dozens of others

re/make fellowship

Fashion production emits 4-8% of global carbon emissions annually, generates the fastest-growing waste stream and pollutes rivers and streams through harmful dyes and chemicals. The industry employs 70 million mostly women of color worldwide in poverty wages and unsafe working conditions while profiting $2.5 trillion annually. As a women-led advocacy organization, Remake aims to lead collective action to fix the pollutive and exploitative practices of this industry. We hope to transform fashion by advocating for smarter legislation to regulate brands, creating campaigns like #PayUp to build accountability and transparency, and through raising consumer consciousness through campaigns like #NoNewClothes. This year, I’m working with Remake to launching an incredible new Fellowship Program. The founding cohort is made up of a group of visionary industry insiders who will help to co-create a fellowship program housed and facilitated by Remake. Our goal is to equip and inspire creatives to find their place in the movement for a more just and sustainable fashion industry. Learn More

#SupplyChange

Organizing over 200 fashion insiders to demand brands #SupplyChange and help slow one of the destruction of The Amazon rainforest, home to over 1 million Indigenous people, protectors of one of the most biodiverse places on earth, fast approaching a tipping point of irreversible ecosystem collapse. In the wake of a study finding that nearly every major fashion brand—from Adidas, Nike, Zara, H&M, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, to Louis Vuitton—are sourcing leather from companies fueling Amazon deforestation we built industry support to demand companies: (1) end contracts with suppliers who deforest; (2) look into their supply chains and ensure they aren’t part of this atrocity; (3) publicly support legislation to strengthen supply chain transparency and stop deforestation.

COLLABORATORS // Stand.Earth, Model Mafia, Slow Factory

Featured
"I was born in Somalia, and I came to America as a refugee escaping from war and turmoil. I understand how climate change is causing and will continue to cause more turmoil, and create even more refugees. We’re already in crisis mode: according to U

"I was born in Somalia, and I came to America as a refugee escaping from war and turmoil. I understand how climate change is causing and will continue to cause more turmoil, and create even more refugees. We’re already in crisis mode: according to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, the number of displaced people is now at its highest ever, even more than after World War II. And in the next 20-30 years, there’s no question that tens of millions of people—some estimates go up to 1 billion—will be displaced by drought and other effects from climate change. The term ‘climate refugee’ isn’t officially accepted yet, but soon it will be unavoidable. 

Somalia, my birthplace, is currently experiencing yet another drought, the second in only six years. We’ve had so much war and so much famine—for all that we hear about extremist threats, the cruel reality is that people are now being devastated by man-made, weather-related calamities. Yes, it’s very personal to me. " - Hawa Hassan

  "I am a child of renewable energy, who grew up off-grid on solar power in the middle of the Australian bush, so I can tell you we've had functioning solar technology for longer than most realize. We also collected our own rain water, disconnected

 

"I am a child of renewable energy, who grew up off-grid on solar power in the middle of the Australian bush, so I can tell you we've had functioning solar technology for longer than most realize. We also collected our own rain water, disconnected from any nearby towns...so I learned to appreciate water as a finite. Emissions from burning coal for heat and energy fuel global warming, and the coal industry uses enough fresh water to meet the basic needs of one billion people! There's no need to keep running with a system that degrades our environment or drains our natural resources." - Jessica Jones

"My family made the issue meaningful for me. My sister runs a farm in Amherst, Massachusetts, and my parents now live in Telluride, Colorado, a tiny town in the Rocky Mountains, both of which will be severely impacted by changing weather patterns. W

"My family made the issue meaningful for me. My sister runs a farm in Amherst, Massachusetts, and my parents now live in Telluride, Colorado, a tiny town in the Rocky Mountains, both of which will be severely impacted by changing weather patterns. We were a political-debates-over-dinner kind of family, and they always stressed the importance of policy based on data and scientific research. I tookthat ethos seriously: I now run my own explanatory newsletter @svbycleo, and I care deeply about how we interpret and understand data and news. To say we shouldn't act against climate change, you have to ignore the 99.99% of peer-reviewed scientific articles indicating global warming is caused by human activity." - Cleo Abram

"Most people think of global warming when they hear the phrase "climate change," but in reality climate change presents itself in many ways. Flint, Michigan water crisis and Dakota Access Pipeline are examples of how unsustainable manufacturing prac

"Most people think of global warming when they hear the phrase "climate change," but in reality climate change presents itself in many ways. Flint, Michigan water crisis and Dakota Access Pipeline are examples of how unsustainable manufacturing practices and irresponsible building can profoundly affect the earth its inhabitants. In both of these cases, and many others, communities of color are the most vulnerable." - Ebonee Davis

 

"The fashion industry is one of the major industries having a negative impact on our climate. Being in touch with decision makers and influencers in the fashion industry we as models are able to voice our opinions where they need to be heard. [Also,

"The fashion industry is one of the major industries having a negative impact on our climate. Being in touch with decision makers and influencers in the fashion industry we as models are able to voice our opinions where they need to be heard. [Also,] models serve as role models. By acting in a responsible way ourselves we can inspire and influence other people. Through social media channel's we have a great platform. Here we can display responsible behaviour that inspires, share important information about climate change and animate others to join the movement." - Zaina Gohou

"I gave up fast fashion, and am very vocal about why others should too. I started my blog, Model4greenliving, to show people how they can live more environmentally friendly ways, and still lead a modern and fun, fulfilling life." -Renee Peters

"I gave up fast fashion, and am very vocal about why others should too. I started my blog, Model4greenliving, to show people how they can live more environmentally friendly ways, and still lead a modern and fun, fulfilling life." -Renee Peters

"I never thought I was part of the problem and therefore didn’t think I had to be part of the solution. Now climate change, especially as the result of our fashion industry, has become an ongoing obsession that I strive to learn more about each day

"I never thought I was part of the problem and therefore didn’t think I had to be part of the solution. Now climate change, especially as the result of our fashion industry, has become an ongoing obsession that I strive to learn more about each day and translate what I learn to others through my company @ofmodc." - Britt Bergmeister

"We need to start taking care of each other, taking care of ourselves, and most of all taking care of our planet" - Leyna Bloom

"We need to start taking care of each other, taking care of ourselves, and most of all taking care of our planet" - Leyna Bloom

"I'm from Dominican Republic, which as you know is an Island, and the Hurricane season now is worse than ever, bridges are falling, roads are breaking, leaving communities with no communication. The other day I read an article about this place that

"I'm from Dominican Republic, which as you know is an Island, and the Hurricane season now is worse than ever, bridges are falling, roads are breaking, leaving communities with no communication. The other day I read an article about this place that used to be covered in water, now there lies a beach, it really happened over night. " - Austria Ulloa

"Climate change adversely affects food supply. As a nutrition major at NYU, food stability and world hunger are extremely important to me. " -Kouka Webb

"Climate change adversely affects food supply. As a nutrition major at NYU, food stability and world hunger are extremely important to me. " -Kouka Webb

 PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH

Models are some of the few women who have very direct access to media. Especially on the issue of climate change, our voices are important and powerful. Fashion is one of the dirtiest industries in the world, but it's also one of the biggest and most influential, that's why if we can change how our industry works we have the potential to make an enormous difference and lead the way to a sustainable future. 

Photos by Gabriela Celeste

(January 2017) @hartjeandresen lead the #modelmafia in organizing a @womensmarch huddle.

(January 2017) @hartjeandresen lead the #modelmafia in organizing a @womensmarch huddle.

MODEL ACTIVIST NIGHT 12/2016

The night Model Activist (aka Model Mafia) was born!

This event was about compassion -- building our power to be compassionate to ourselves and others by strengthening our community and trust in each other. It was about what would happen if we started to see ourselves not just as models, but as women in media, women with access to media, women who are powerful storytellers, performers, and change-makers.

Co-hosts: Ebonee Davis, Maya Monés, Geena Rocero, Anja Rubik, Andreea Dicanou, Nimue Smit, Ainé Campbell, Jess Perez, Kenza Fourati, Carolyn Murphy, Gelila Belke, Grace Bol, and Saabrina Jetli

  • 120 models participated in story-telling and resource mapping exercises to kickstart community and creativity

(Photos: @globalshutter)

EARTH DAY IN FASHION  4/22/2016

At Materials for the Arts in conjunction with NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

Models included: Hari Nef, Maryna Linchuk, London Meyers, Lana Zakocela, Inga Eiriksdottir, Aine Rose, Kel Markey, Nimue Smit, Barbara di Creddo, Alana Zimmer, Dimphy Janse, Mika Van Winkle, Dani Seitz, Chantal StanfordAbott, Briy Gilgeous, Nejilka Arias, Angel Rutledge, Laura Kampan, Marinet Mathee, Adrian John Hurtado, Sigrun and Edda

Photography: Mei Tao

  • Posts tagged on Instagram reached over 7.6 million people and over 800 took the time to comment

  • We got press in Glamour Magazine and on NY1 and on the @thecut and @instagram

  • New designers signed up to donate!

 #LIGHT THE WAY VIGIL  9/2015

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#MARCH WITH ME  9/2014

Campaign to invite friends and followers to the People's Climate March  

SUPERMODELS TAKE IT OFF FOR CLIMATE CHANGE  9/2009

Ph: Andrew Zuckerman

Ph: Andrew Zuckerman

Viral video rallying support for 350.orgs day of action leading up to the COP15 in Copenhagen. Learn more about this project here. 

COLLABORATORS // Models: Rachel Alexander, Shannon Click, Hanne Gaby, Olya Ivanisevic, Cameron Russell, Alla Kostromicheva, Heidi Mount, Crystal Renn, Rianne Ten Haken, and Nicole Trunfio. Director: Damani Baker. Writer: Cameron Russell. Photography: Andrew Zuckerman. Stylist: Shandi Alexander. Hair: Kevin Ryan. Make up: Jesse Lawson & Fara Homidi. Producer: Cameron Russell & Alex Vlack. Editor: Casey Brooks. Music: Teenage Prayers. Special thanks: Christana Tran & Heather Hughes.