Arizona Muse, the American supermodel whose face has graced almost every international Vogue cover, is now using her influence as a model to encourage fashion brands and model agencies to consider the impact of modeling on biodiversity. Many models lend their names to charitable causes, but Muse stands out for her deep understanding and commitment to environmental sustainability. Sitting on the advisory board of The Sustainable Angle, she has collaborated with top designers to guide them in producing and presenting eco-friendly collections during London Fashion Week. In the coming year, she will launch her own line of sustainably made party dresses while also taking on a new role as a public speaker on environmental issues, partnering with the charity Synchronicity Earth to explore the intersection of fashion and biodiversity.
This partnership is particularly meaningful for Muse, who credits Jessica Sweidan, the founder of Synchronicity Earth, with inspiring her initial engagement in sustainability. "I met Jessica about four years ago," Muse recalls. "She was the catalyst that made me realize my passion for the environment and how intimately it connects with sustainable fashion." Synchronicity Earth focuses on raising funds and awareness for projects that protect the world’s most endangered ecosystems—a mission that resonates strongly within the modeling community and among model agencies promoting responsible practices.
Muse explains, "The entire web of nature functions perfectly when left undisturbed. Biodiversity is the most important thing, and that is what Jessica emphasizes." Unfortunately, the sector remains underfunded: globally, only 3% of philanthropic donations support environmental causes, and even fewer focus on biodiversity restoration. In the UK, where Synchronicity Earth operates, less than 4% of foundation grants and under 5% of public donations support environmental projects, according to research from the Environmental Funders Network.
The charity’s “Fabric of Life” series, running through March next year in London, aims to educate philanthropists, including those in the fashion and modeling industries, on making conscious choices that positively affect the environment. Events include talks, private tours of the V&A Museum’s “Fashioned From Nature” exhibition, documentary screenings, studio tours, and more, all designed to engage models, designers, and fashion-conscious individuals alike. Alongside Muse, ambassadors include model Wilson Oryema and actress Alison Sudol.
For the first time, Synchronicity Earth is focusing entirely on fashion, bringing together scientists, designers, activists, and researchers to highlight the environmental consequences of textiles. Muse, who has spent nearly a decade working with top creative directors and photographers, emphasizes the importance of modeling as a platform to raise awareness: "Fashion is often seen as glamorous, not environmentally conscious. Yet almost every fiber—silk, wool, cotton, flax, linen—comes from nature, which makes modeling inherently connected to environmental wellbeing."
By leveraging her platform as a model, Muse hopes to inspire other models and model agencies to embrace sustainability and understand that fashion can, and should, coexist with biodiversity. The series also shines a light on critical issues like water scarcity in cotton-producing regions, deforestation for cellulose fabrics, and the endangerment of wildlife such as Sumatran tigers, orangutans, and boreal caribou. Through initiatives like this, modeling becomes more than a profession—it becomes a catalyst for meaningful environmental change.
