Tell us about The New Fashion Initiative and what inspired you to launch it.

The New Fashion Initiative is an education non-profit that is focused on raising awareness in America about the environmental and social impacts of the clothing industry.  It is an outgrowth of the work that I did last year as a volunteer and what I saw was needed in the US. More than a social media platform, we are launching a blog, educational programming and a policy arm later this year. One of the most important metrics of our success is collaboration. Every project that we launch is with at least one other non-profit partner. I believe we go further, faster, together.

My life has always been intertwined with fashion.  I have been vintage-shopping since the age of 12 and still have one of my favorite vintage purses that I found that year. My first job out of college was for Cosmopolitan. I started the first bilingual Latino lifestyle magazine in the US, A-List Magazine, with friends in San Diego. Fashion has always been a love of mine and designers have been my rockstars.

Unfortunately, I disliked just as much about the fashion industry as I loved: The exploitation, fast fashion’s constant theft of ideas and designs, the lack of inclusivity in the ranks.  I could go on, but I like focusing on the positive. About three years ago, inspired by my husband who works for a AIDS-vaccine non-profit and my good friend Gaelin Rosenwaks, a badass marine biologist/explorer, I decided to throw my hat back in the ring of fashion—but in a way that meant that I could push for changes that I wanted to see.

With so many issues facing humanity, why focus on sustainable fashion?

For so many reasons—firstly because how we make and use clothing touches all of the important issues of our time.  Fashion touches on labor rights, human rights, women’s rights, sexual abuse and harassment, racial inclusion, overconsumption, water access and usage, and all forms of pollution including chemical, microfibers, deforestation. Really everything that is wrong with the world.

And secondly, and this is the other side of the coin—because fashion is also beautiful, creative art. It’s a field that I have worked in, loved and revered my whole life. I thought I could do the most good in the world working in the industry that I love.

What are you most hopeful about when it comes to fashion and the environment?

I think it’s very heartening to see the growth of the second-hand clothing industry and the shared economy. Not just in the financial valuation of brands like TheRealReal, thredUP and Rent the Runway but in the current cultural zeitgeist and perception of reusing clothing.  I always loved shopping with my older sister because I would think, that will be mine in a few years!  I have always loved wearing clothing that tells multiple people’s stories.

Circularity is being used as a buzz word in sustainable fashion at the moment—and as a synonym for recyclability. When really what we need is to extend the life cycle of clothing that has already been made. And slow down the overall volume of clothing being produced.  

What’s the key to getting more people involved in this movement?

I think the key is to engaging people offline as well as online.  Tangible curriculum, information-sharing forums, community-building—local activations and interconnectivity is key to having needed shifts take root in US society.

What can we expect from TNFI and what upcoming projects are excited about that you can share with us?

I am superstitious and like to talk about things as we roll them out. We are collaborating with GoodStuffNYC, founded by FixIt, which we are working on with the incredible Sandra Goldmark, Director of Campus Sustainability and Climate Action at Barnard College. The event will be a circularity-focused, experiential non-retail pop-up in the South Street Seaport this summer. Look for another really excited project with Eileen Fisher in the fall. And follow us on social media [Instagram | Facebook] and come back to the website to hear about things as we launch them.

Now for the fun part: Favorite item of clothing, favorite designer, movie with the best clothes, favorite book on fashion?

My favorite item of clothing: I have a pair of brown Frye motorcycle boots that I bought with babysitting money when I was 14. It’s been 25 years and a couple of resoles later—and they are still my favorites.

My favorite designer: That’s hard because I personally love so many.  I can pick top five: Zandra Rhodes, Ronald Van der Kemp, Maria Cornejo, Mara Hoffman and morgane le fay.

Favorite movie with good clothes: I am a sucker for the Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movies. Ginger’s dresses while dancing just mesmerize me. I love the Old Hollywood look, even though it’s not my personal aesthetic.

Favorite book about fashion: One of my favorite fashion books is actually Elizabeth L. Cline’s Overdressed. It helped galvanize me to go back to school at FIT and start being the change that I wanted to see. Elizabeth is also one of our advisory board members and the editor of the blog.