10 Sustainable Fashion Influencers to Follow Right Now
Social media has produced many powerful advocates for sustainability. These sustainable fashion influencers have helped turn the attention of hundreds of thousands to the environmental issues created by fast fashion and the textile industry.
Over the recent years, we have received many wake-up calls regarding fast fashion’s negative impact on the environment. Microplastic pollution has entered our food chain, and our drinking water, and has created a great hazard to marine life. The fashion industry is producing a big volume of greenhouse gas emissions globally and the textile waste reaching the landfills has reached the astoundingly high figure of 92 million tonnes.
Influencers and activists have used their platforms to educate audiences on these pressing topics. Research suggests that social media has had a significant hand in encouraging sustainable fashion choices.
Together, these social media influencers have turned public attention to the fashion industry’s environmental footprint, helping clear the path toward slow fashion, conscious consumerism, and sustainable lifestyle choices.
Sustainable Fashion Definition
Sustainable fashion means creating clothing that does not harm the environment and or the people involved in its production. The entire production process is carried out with social and environmental responsibility.
Sustainable fashion places emphasis on using eco-friendly materials, ethical labour standards, resource efficiency, and waste reduction.
Sustainable Fashion Influencers
With the impact of social media at an all-time high, it is no wonder that a new breed of celebrities called the social media influencers, has been created. They bypass the mainstream media completely and connect with their massive following on social platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
As climate and environmental concerns have stirred up quite a storm, we are now seeing an increase in the number of sustainable fashion influencers who have attracted the attention of many. Their messages resonate especially well with Gen Z and Millenials.
Let us look at some of these icons who are playing a part in the drive towards sustainability and contributing towards a greener planet.
- Aja Barber @ajabarber
Aja Barber has a natural gift for eloquently highlighting problems within our society and has explained with clarity what is wrong with the fashion industry today. She is a powerful voice in our consumer-oriented world and her ideas on relevant issues continue to inspire many.
With an immense following of 235 thousand on Instagram and other platforms, she is a loud and uncompromising support for climate activism and social responsibility.
She once referenced the phrase ”We don’t pay sources” which resonated deeply with her and her followers underscoring the need for an ethical shift in the industry.
- Venetia La Manna @venetialamanna
With over 295 thousand followers on Instagram, this influencer is a true trooper in the sustainable fashion world. She is fearless in her campaigns and takes her message to popular tourist hangouts such as Times Square in New York so it can reach her target audience more effectively.
She is the co-founder of Remember Who Made Them which highlights the plight of textile factory workers in the Global South. This sustainable fashion influencer does not shy away from naming and shaming the leading fast fashion brands and calling them out for their negative environmental impact.
- Leah Musch @unmaterialgirl
This Australian activist calls herself a “former fast fashion addict” and since she knows what it takes to transition to slow fashion, who better to guide others on a similar path? Drawing from her own experiences, she offers practical advice on how to shop more mindfully and avoid impulsive purchases.
Leah Musch is also a blogger who focuses on topics like finding quality over quantity, the importance of buying second-hand and from thrift stores, and ways to make ethical fashion more accessible.
- Kara Fabella @theflippside
This sustainable fashion influencer has the answers to all our slow fashion styling needs. Kara Fabella is the founder of the non-profit organisation Remake Our World. This NGO helps bring together people advocating for equal rights and climate justice in the textile industry.
Kara’s audiences are treated to expert styling tips on how to practice sustainable fashion. Her styling guides and responsible shopping tips are an inspiration for her large body of followers on social media.
- Petra Alexandra @petraalexandra
This social media celebrity runs a blog on ethical fashion and eco-friendly practices. Her environmentally friendliness is not just limited to her fashion choices. Instead it includes all aspects of her life such as home decor and even the car she drives.
Her blog focuses on all things sustainable and zero-waste.
- Andrea Cheong @andreacheong_
The author of “Why Don’t I Have Anything to Wear”, Andrea Cheong uses her platform, particularly Instagram, to educate followers on responsible consumer choices. Andrea is known for her thoughtful approach to sustainable fashion. Her focus is on building a wardrobe mindfully rather than participating in fast-fashion trends.
Her “Mindful Monday Method” has become popular among her followers and through it she guides them on how to make more conscious purchasing decisions.
She encourages her followers to choose sustainable fashion brands and question the mainstream obsession with consumption.
- Leah Thomas @greengirlleah
Leah Thomas is also the founder of the Intersectional Environmentalist platform. When it comes to social justice and diversity, Leah is a force to be reckoned with. She consistently speaks up for the need to acknowledge that the impact of environmental issues is strongest on marginalised communities.
With a strong social media presence, Leah uses her platform to educate her audience on topics like climate justice, racial inequality, and sustainable living.
Leah’s influence has started many a conversation across digital spaces and also pushed brands, organisations, and the environmental movement at large to become more inclusive.
- Kate Hall Ethically Kate
Kate Hall, also popular through her Instagram handle @ethicallykate, is a writer, speaker and educator advocating conscious consumption and a sense of responsibility towards the planet and its people.
Based in New Zealand, Kate Hall has amassed a huge following and is helping consumers realise how rewarding it is to choose eco-friendliness and support sustainable fashion brands.
- Shelbi Orme @shelbizleee
Shelbi Orme, a sustainable fashion influencer with a huge fan base on YouTube and Instagram, is known for her zero-waste tips and practical sustainable fashion brand advice.
She uses her platform to share eco-friendly tips, product reviews, and practical advice for reducing waste in everyday life. With a fun, down-to-earth approach, Shelbi makes it sound very simple to make small changes that can add up to a big impact.
On her social media channels, Shelbi talks about topics like sustainable swaps, waste reduction hacks, and the pros and cons of various “green” products.
Shelbi has built a large following through her refreshing approach to sustainability, especially for people looking for realistic ways to live more sustainably without feeling overwhelmed.
- Aditi Mayer @aditimayer
Ethical fashion blogger, creative advertiser and storyteller Aditi Mayer is also known to use her platforms to speak for social justice and sustainability. This social activist based in Los Angeles, focuses on bringing attention to issues such as garment worker rights, environmental degradation, and sustainability within the fashion industry.
Being of Indian origin, she talks about her cultural heritage and sustainability, encouraging brands and consumers to consider the global impact of their choices. With her powerful storytelling and visual approach, Aditi has become a respected voice in the sustainable fashion movement.
Final word
These sustainable fashion influencers are doing the planet a great service. They are not stopping at only pointing out the issues we are faced with today. Instead, they have well-chalked-out plans that they present through their platforms explaining how simple it is to achieve sustainability and live responsibly.
