Activist, sustainability advocate, writer… Livia Firth can be referred to by a wide spectrum of titles, and her contributions to the world of fashion have been nothing short of remarkable. Here at Vogue Arabia, of course, the trailblazer has been known as the sustainability editor, and over the years, her monthly write-ups have helped educate not just the region, but the whole world about the impact of consumption on the planet.
Through her career so far, Livia Firth has found novel ways to shake up the industry. While her 2015 documentary The True Cost came as a much-needed jolt with its insights on consumerism, globalization and capitalism, her Green Carpet Challenge encouraged celebrities to join in her making a case for sustainably sourced and produced fashion. And then there was, of course, Eco Age. Established in 2009, Livia Firth’s consultancy firm aided brands — including Gucci, Chopard and Stella McCartney, to name a few — in incorporating eco-friendly practices into their processes. Now, as it closes its doors after 17 wonderful years, Vogue Arabia pays homage to Firth’s incredible journey with a look back at 10 of her most insightful written pieces for the magazine, all handpicked by the multi-hyphenate herself.
“It was not easy to choose 10 articles among the 60 I wrote in the last five years of working with Manuel and the team at Vogue Arabia… So many different topics around a more socially and environmentally just fashion world!” Firth muses as she goes over her complete collection. “But one thing is sure: we have been talking about some of these issues for so long, and it is up to us to decide whether we want to be consumers or citizens. This selection is just a reflection of the complex stories woven into the clothes we wear everyday, and I hope that by looking at them not in isolation, the simplicity of the message will emerge even louder: by getting dressed every day, you are either standing in solidarity or not.”
Below, a walk…
