16 Sustainable Brands the Coolest Stylist in NYC Told Me About

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(Image credit: Rebekah Campbell)

When someone uses the phrase "sustainable fashion," what comes to mind first? If what initially pops into your head is a far cry from what you'd be teeming with excitement to wear, well, you're definitely not alone.

Rachael Wang is working on changing people's minds about sustainable fashion. "It was important to me to demonstrate that wearing un-bleached hemp tunics aren't the only options for people who want to shop in a way that represents their values," she tells me. She's referencing, of course, the persistent stereotype that shrouds the sustainable fashion movement in an image of clothing that's frumpy and decidedly anti-trend. That's because for way too long, it was pretty much a given that shopping according to ethical and sustainable standards meant sacrificing a lot of options—and, consequently, a certain level of style.

For the New York–based stylist, there's no reason those two should be mutually exclusive anymore. Considering the plethora of new sustainable brands flooding the market and the many established names now making it a top priority, Wang has made it her project to bring an elevated approach to ethical fashion and transform the relationship between the two (often disparate) worlds.

Naturally, when we had the opportunity to shoot actress-slash-activist Shailene Woodley as our next monthly cover star, Who What Wear tapped Wang to style the shoot and bring to the table her vast encyclopedia of the coolest sustainable brands in existence. "I wanted to honor Shailene's advocacy for social and environmental change by making thoughtful, transparent, ethical, and sustainable brands the rule and not the exception at her cover shoot," she shared.

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(Image credit: Photo: Rebekah CampbellOn Shailene Woodley: Stella McCartney Off-White Floral Monogram Jumpsuit ($1235); Diana LeCompte Perlita Necklace ($480); Robin Mollicone Aventurine Pendulum Necklace ($320); BaYou with Love Soleil Necklace ($222); Rafa the Simple Sandals ($350))

As for the Big Little Lies star, clothes always held meaning beyond just the fabric and thread that composed them—they were deeply personal, a way to tell her story long before acting became that outlet. "When I was in high school," she told Who What Wear, "I was the girl who would scour for hours through thrift stores, buying things that fit or didn’t fit and then would take them home, cut them up, and re-sew them. I taught myself how to use a sewing machine and basically became my own tailor. Clothing was always something that was really exciting to me."

These days, Woodley's closet may be a far cry from the thrifted and DIY-ed pieces it used to house, but her passion for the environment is still a driving force in her how she approaches getting dressed. In other words, all the fame in the world couldn't take the resourceful 13-year-old girl out of her.

"Sustainability and fashion still have a long way to go," she admits. "I mean, when we talk about recycled materials, we also have to look at the amount of water consumption infused in order to clean those materials to then repurpose them into a brand-new product. So, it’s kind of a convoluted and tricky conversation."

Tricky as that conversation may be, both Wang and Woodley are actively using their platforms to support what they believe in—and we're here to show you just how stylish those values can be. Below, see the sustainable fashion brands Rachael Wang styled Shailene Woodley in for our exclusive shoot with the actress, discover what makes each brand earth-friendly, and shop pieces from each.

1. Diana LeCompte

2. Rafa

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(Image credit: Photo: Rebekah CampbellOn Shailene Woodley: Stella McCartney Off-White Floral Monogram Jumpsuit ($1,235); Diana LeCompte Perlita Necklace ($480); Robin Mollicone Aventurine Pendulum Necklace ($320); BaYou with Love Soleil Necklace ($222))

3. Robin Mollicone

4. BaYou with Love

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(Image credit: Photo: Rebekah CampbellOn Shailene Woodley: Mara Hoffman Marla Top ($325); Slow Factory Bali Tiger Silk Scarf by Isabel ($150); Araks Mallory Hipster Swim Bottoms ($125) in Dandelion; De Cosmi Oskar Earrings ($2850))

5. Mara Hoffman

6. Slow Factory

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(Image credit: Photo: Rebekah CampbellOn Shailene Woodley: Mara Hoffman Marla Top ($325); Slow Factory Bali Tiger Silk Scarf by Isabel ($150); Araks Mallory Hipster Swim Bottoms ($125) in Dandelion; De Cosmi Oskar Earrings ($2,850); Brother Vellies Butter Yellow Palms Pumps ($630))

7. Araks

8. Brother Vellies

9. De Cosmi

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(Image credit: Photo: Rebekah CampbellOn Shailene Woodley: Born Native Jess Top ($98) in Brown Polka Dot; Oori Ott Lucky Double Layer Frill Shorts ($145); Diana LeCompte Perlita Necklace ($480); Robin Mollicone Aventurine Pendulum Necklace ($320); BaYou with Love Soleil Necklace ($222))

10. Born Native

11. Oori Ott

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(Image credit: Photo: Rebekah CampbellOn Shailene Woodley: Cienne The Stella Dress ($1,140); Swedish Stockings Lovisa Innovation Tights ($31) in Ivory; De Cosmi Riviera Earrings ($500))

13. Swedish Stockings

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(Image credit: Photo: Rebekah CampbellOn Shailene Woodley: Rentrayage coat; Jordache Rinse Diagonal Logo Print High-Rise Shorts ($195); PH5 Ivy Logo Embroidered Rib Polo Shirt ($215); De Cosmi Maxima Earrings ($2,475); Rombaut Socks ($28) in Acid)

14. PH5

15. Jordache

16. Rombaut

Next: Don't miss our exclusive shoot and interview with Shailene Woodley.

Photographer: Rebekah Campbell

Hair: Keith Carpenter

Makeup: Nina Park

Stylist: Rachael Wang

Manicurist: Elina Ogawa

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.