SSF Style Ambassador and SASS Founding Editor Sean Schmidt sits down with model/actress Angela Lindvall
at the fall 2004 Fashion Week in New York City to talk shop.
he fashion world is often thought of as a very fickle
scene, with trends coming and going based on the whims
of designers and consumers obsessed with having the
latest skirt, shoe and handbag. When it comes to the
subject of overconsumption, fashion certainly is one
of the first felons to readily pop to mind. So its good to
know there is a supermodel, or better put -- a
superhero -- on the scene, poised to save the world in
her own special way.
Model and actress Angela Lindvall is, by far, the
reigning queen of couture conscience when it comes to
social and environmental responsibility. Other
eco-aware fashionistas have come before her, from
designer Katherine Hammet to model Cindy Crawford, but
Angela has captured the media's eye in a way
that others have not. More importantly, she keeps it
looking directly at how living a socially and
environmentally responsible life can be fabulous, fun
and yes, even fashionable. Per Angela, "I'm so
inspired by all the amazing people out there finding
ways to grow economically and be more ecologically
sustainable. And it's a lot of fun, too. A celebration
of life, I hope...a festival of possibilities."
Most importantly, Angela is a person who walks her
talk. Having been a long time environista, she
founded the Collage Foundation in 2002 to engage youth
on the many ways their lifestyle choices can make the
world a better place. Angela describes Collage as a
"montage, a quilt, a collage of people, ideas,
talents, creativity, and passions - coming together to
focus on solutions to restore our planet." Throwing
fabulous parties is one of Collages specialties,
whether it be a post party for Fashion Week or a pool
party in LA to launch their online magazine, they
always strive to integrate sustainability into their
own conscious events as well as inspiring other to
do the same. From organic t-shirts to musical guests
jamming on solar power, theyve been able to prove
everything is possible.
Its not all about what can be done to engage pop
culture and the mass media though. Angela and her
husband, William Edwards, have applied the values in
many ways across their lives. Most recently, they
finished a complete remodel of the tugboat Lakota,' they moor in
New Jersey and now call home, at least during the warm months. As seen in the
September issue of The
Sierra Club, VH-1s Save the Music, the Rainforest
Association, the Global Renaissance Alliance, and the
Leukemia Society of America and she is currently the
spokesperson for The Heart Truth, a national awareness
campaign on womens heart health.
Regardless of where she is, each time Angela steps in
front of an audience her deep concern and passion for
the state of the world shines through. Humility and
modesty abound too, believe me, I'm not perfect,
standing here holier-than-thou, like I have all the
answers or have it all figured out. I'm just on this
journey, trying to be more aware of what's going on
and thinking about actions I can take in my life to
affect the larger whole. But it's got to be a
collective effort. We all have to come together in
this movement, awaken our own consciousnesses, and
recondition our selves.
Whether supermodel or superhero its great to know
Angela is working to make the fashion world future
friendly. Even better, shes not just posing, shes
doing
Sean Schmidt is SSF's Co-founder and Style Ambassador and SASS Magazine's Founding Editor.
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