Let’s face it, awards ceremonies are as much about the designer dresses as the golden statues. All eyes are on the red carpet as the year’s most celebrated people parade their best looks, with the hope of getting that perfect shot.
With so much attention focussed on these events, it’s not surprising awards red carpets are increasingly the site of protest too. Whether it be gender equality in the film industry or against racism, actor/activists are using their platform to create change.
Pioneering the latest wave of red carpet activism is actress and environmental advocate Suzy Amis Cameron, who for the past decade has led the Red Carpet Green Dress campaign to showcase sustainable fashion on the showbiz night of nights. After coming up with the idea during the press tour for husband James Cameron’s film Avatar, Suzy set about inspiring like-minded actors to join her in greening up the red carpet.
Since then green dress wearers (not necessarily coloured green, nor exclusively dresses!) include Emma Roberts (Scream Queens), Sophie Turner (X-Men, Game of Thrones), Naomie Harris (Moonlight), Gina Rodriguez (Annihilation, Jane the Virgin), Priyanka Bose (Lion), Kellan Lutz (Twilight), Lakeith Stanfield (Get Out) , Zoey Deutch (The Set Up) , Camila Alves, Jake McDorman (American Sniper) and Missi Pyle (Gone Girl) .
“I can’t believe it has been 10 years since RCGD was born,” Suzy says. “It has been an incredible journey and inspiring to see how the campaign has grown every year.
I am so proud of helping people become more aware of what sustainable fashion can look like and its impact on the planet. What we wear and the fashion industry has a tremendous impact on the environment—and people’s choices can move the marketplace and the climate change needle.
Suzy Amis Cameron
Rocking their sustainable gowns at the 2019 Oscars red carpet are Laura Harrier from Oscar Nominated Film BlacKkKlansman & Dumplin’ Actress Danielle Macdonald.
To become a Red Carpet Green Dress, each piece must either be made from sustainable materials, including organic, recycled or repurposed fibres. Other features include using hand-made detailing or incorporating natural dye processing, with a dedicated focus on minimal negative impact on the environment, and environmentally and socially responsible design.
This year Good On You is overseeing the way Red Carpet Green Dress makes their choices, ensuring that the garments are ticking all the right boxes when it comes to sustainability.
Good On You co-founder Sandra Capponi says it’s a great opportunity to take the message of sustainable fashion to an audience of millions.
“Red Carpet Green Dress is a fantastic initiative that really helps show the world how sustainably-made clothes can be beautiful and desirable.”
“There is a significant gap in sustainable design in the luxury fashion segment, which is supposed to be setting an example in the industry – along with the celebrities who wear it. Red Carpet Green Dress is showing important leadership here.
We’re really excited to be involved with Red Carpet Green Dress in their tenth year. Suzy has done so much to shine a light on critical important issues in fashion and build momentum behind the movement for positive change. It’s a powerful campaign that we can all get behind.
Sandra Capponi – Good On You co-founder
Proceeds from Red Carpet Green Dress go to the school Suzy Amis Cameron founded, the Muse School, which encourages students to live consciously.
