Choose Used! In Honor of Earth Day, 8 Fashion Insiders Model Their Oldest, Most Treasured Clothes

Climate change, as David Wallace-Wells put it so succinctly in The New York Times in February, “is a threat the size of life itself.” Only global decarbonization on a massive scale will save the planet from catastrophic warming now.

It’s imperative that world governments take up this issue—and soon. Every year decarbonization is put off the reductions required will become greater, the collective hardships more difficult to bear. Candidates and constituents in 2020 should rally around the Green New Deal, or an alternative that would reorganize the American economy around renewable energy.

The fashion industry has to make radical adjustments of its own: To start, we should shift to earth friendly alternatives to leather; we should stop overproduction and the subsequent destruction of unsold stock; we should invest in infrastucture to support the second-hand market; and we absolutely should break the global addiction to disposable clothes.

In that spirit, I asked designers, stylists, showroom owners, and shopkeepers to pose for photos in their most treasured pieces, garments that they’ve held onto for years and years. If these highly fashionable people are rewearing clothes they’ve had for a decade—or more—we all could, no?

What’s the oldest thing in your closet? In honor of Earth Day, and our precious, overheated planet, pull it off, dust it off, and wear it today.

Maria Cornejo, Founder and Designer, Zero + Maria Cornejo

How old are the pieces you’re wearing?

A velvet dress with grosgrain straps from my 2005 or 2006 collection; a leather jacket from 2009, I think; lapis lazuli and silver earrings my father gave me when I was 15; an Italian watch Mark [Borthwick] gave me 30 years ago in Milan, when we were there for fashion week, just after we got married; all my charms; and my espadrilles.

Is wearing pieces from that many seasons ago unusual for you?

I do it all the time. I mix things from different years. It’s one of the things that people always say to me: that they can buy new things and they’ll swap them in with their old things and they still look relevant. They’re sort of quite timeless.

What’s your favorite memory it?

I wore this dress when I got the Cooper Hewitt [National Design Award for Fashion] in 2006. For me to win with all these super design nerds, I was blown away by all the people in the room.

Other than holding onto your old things how are you practicing sustainability?

Our whole denim collection is sustainable, it’s certified with Cradle to Cradle. (Ed’s Note: Cradle to Cradle is a non-profit organization that certifies products based on criteria including: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness.) We produce locally, we reuse leftover stock. Creating things that are timeless, that don’t have a season, that to me is always the goal. To make things that are really well designed so you can keep them forever and pass them on

How, if at all, are you marking Earth Day this year?

We’re contributing money to Surfrider, for cleaning the oceans, by holding a giveaway with a bunch of other likeminded, sustainable designers.

Brian Procell, Co-founder of Procell Vintage

How old is the t-shirt you’re wearing?

It’s a vintage t-shirt for David Lynch’s Industrial Symphony No. 1, a movie he made in 1989 that started as a play that debuted at BAM in Brooklyn. It’s one of those extremely interesting pieces. What I believe is it was a shirt made to promote the movie, not ever really made for sale, probably given to cast and crew. I found it six years ago at the 26th Street flea market in Chelsea, from this guy Billy I buy from. Billy buys out storage units in New York City. Finding something discarded and thought of as mundane, our job is to sort through that and re-contextualize it. There’s a lot of value in secondhand items. They’re not just rags; they deserve a secondary and tertiary market.

As a vintage dealer, wearing old pieces isn’t unusual for you, right?

Everything I wear is secondhand. It permeates everything that I do. The Eames lounge chair in my living room I bought used. I don’t buy new cars straight off the lot. I think about my purchases as an investment, as a testament to something that’s well-crafted. I think of it like rescuing something, not contributing to the problem that we have…

Do you have a favorite memory wearing the shirt?

Last year for Art Basel we did a pop-up at One Hotels, which we like because they’re pretty green. Right around the corner there was an art house screening of the movie Industrial Symphony No. 1. My fianc´e Jess and my intern Coco had always seen me wearing this shirt, so I took them to go see it. Now they’re obsessed too.

In what other ways are you practicing sustainability?

As somebody who’s self-employed, there are many roofs I’m responsible for. We wash thousands of pounds of clothes a week. We hang dry when possible, but nine out of 10 times something is going to need attention: washing, mending, removing pet hair. All those man hours , require diff kinds of utilites, and I’m very conscientious about those utilities.

How, if at all, are you marking Earth Day this year?

We partnered with The North Face to bring awareness to the efforts to make Earth Day a national holiday. They asked us to recreate our archive, sort of create a fantasy archive [Ed’s note: the portrait above was taken there]. We usually don’t like to open up. We don’t want a lot of people to understand certain trade secrets. But it was a really good cause. And it gave people a taste of what we do, I really think it was inspiring for a lot of people.

Stella Ishii, Founder of The News Showroom and Creative Director of 6397

When did you buy this coat?

I got it several years ago. It’s from the Martin Margiela/Hermès years—probably around the Fall 2003 season. I had loved it right away and then I came across it at a resale shop and had to get it—thought it was meant to be and this time I could afford it

Why are you still wearing it?

Because it is just so comfortable and easy—it’s one of my favorite pieces from the Margiela period at Hermès. The coat embodies a form of raw beauty combined with the luxury of Hermès that Martin could express so effortlessly.

What’s your favorite memory of wearing it?

Well, I still experience it. This is a coat with no buttons or closures of any kind—it’s basically a big cashmere wrap with sleeves. Every time I wear it I feel so cozy and luxurious and it always reminds me of Martin and all the beautiful garments he gave us during those years. Beautiful, timeless clothes.

Other than holding onto your old things how are you practicing sustainability?

By living consciously every day and giving respect to the big world we live in.

How, if at all, are you marking Earth Day this year?

No differently from any other day. Everyday is Earth Day, don’t you think?

Erin Beatty, Founder and Designer, Rentrayage

When did you buy this piece?

This is actually an Edwardian nightgown I believe I bought from Raleigh Vintage at A Current Affair. I altered it considerably after buying it.

Why are you still wearing it?

I love it. I love that vintage has a story so beyond you. This shirt is older than I am, and I still feel perfectly feminine and cool when I tuck it into a pair of vintage Levi’s (or a Rentrayage new-vintage skirt). That’s the point of fashion, to inspire you to be more, or be your own best version, no matter what that is. This shirt does that for me.

What is your favorite memory while wearing this garment?

How I felt picking it up from the tailor, trying it on and realizing how I loved it as much as any designer piece I had ever purchased. How clean and fresh it felt by simply altering its proportions slightly. This piece, amongst others was a catalyst in changing my thinking about fashion.

Other than holding onto your old things how are you practicing sustainability?

I consistently try to eliminate plastics from my life, carrying bags and water bottles, preparing my lunches and morning juices/smoothies/coffees at home. I generally eat vegan, making exceptions only a few times a week. I take the subway. I wash my clothes on cold. I recycle. I compost when possible (it can be difficult in the city). I support sustainable companies and charities. I would like to do more, but also know each change is incremental, and each year will bring new technologies that will make these changes easier.

How, if at all, are you marking Earth Day this year?

I actually hadn’t thought about it. God knows one day a year is not nearly enough considering the current state of things, but as I’ll be in California, I think I’ll take my children for a walk on the beach. Instilling a love of nature in them has become a recent obsession. The facts are horrifying, but my two boys, their innocence and optimism give me so much hope. I can only believe that their generation will save us, and somehow preserve what beauty is left.

Victor Glemaud, Founder and Designer, Glemaud

When did you buy these pieces?

The Dries shirt was the first item of clothing I purchased with my own savings while in high school in 1994. The turtleneck and trousers, both Raf Simons, are from 1995 and 1997, respectively.

Why are you still wearing them?

I still love everything about these garments, the design, fabrics, and quality. They faded, stretched, and they have a few holes, but nevertheless I still love wearing them. Most importantly they still fit.

What is your favorite memory while wearing these garments?

The Raf trousers retain a bittersweet memory. I’ll always remember wearing them, while working the Marc Jacobs show and after-party the night before September 11th. It rained all day on 9/10/01 and the fête set was this beautiful lawn decor on the pier at 14th Street. The rain stopped, the show and party were extraordinary. We danced the night away in mud which ruined my trousers while overlooking the Twin Towers.

Other than holding onto your old things how are you practicing sustainability?

I wrote these answers while touring Dominica with the Clinton Foundation. Dominica aims to be the world’s first climate resilient nation. This trip has only emboldened me to make greater personal efforts at practicing sustainability at home where we already use organic detergents and cleaners. We shop at the farmers market, which really helps avoid food waste.

Avoid plastics and reuse! Reuse! Reuse!

At work my knits are only made with natural yarns.

How, if at all, are you marking Earth Day this year?

Earth Day is everyday for us as we always try to respect our planet!

Mel Ottenberg, Stylist

When did you buy this outfit?

I bought these Levi’s six years ago from the Levi’s store in Meatpacking, and I bought this vintage wrangler shirt 16 years ago at a swap meet in Tennessee.

Why are you still wearing it?

I’m still wearing these pieces because every time the denim gives out in the collar, sleeve, knee, or crotch, my denim savior Sean from the repair company You Blow Em’ I Sew Em’ fixes them for me. Without Sean I couldn’t wear good denim. I’m too old for holes in my clothes.

What is your favorite memory while wearing this garment?

I always feel like I’ve got my mojo on while wearing this look, so I have plenty of good memories while wearing these jeans and this shirt.

Other than holding onto your old things how are you practicing sustainability? How, if at all, are you marking Earth Day this year?

I’m erasing plastic bags straws, cups, and bottles from my life more and more with each passing week, and while I am new to this no plastic bag concept, I’m here for it and I’m working on it.

Mickey Boardman, Editorial Director, Paper

When did you buy this Lanvin sparkle top?
  I think it was 10 years ago. I got it at Ikram in Chicago which is my favorite store in the world. It was during Alber Elbaz’s time at Lanvin and he’s such a genius and wonderful person. I have a bunch of Lanvin things from Ikram, and I keep them all and keep wearing them because I have such a sentimental attachment and love for Alber and Ikram. Of course this top is also super gorgeous and glamorous and it really jazzes up a tuxedo for black tie, but also looks amazing with any other kind of get-up I put together.     Why are you still wearing it?
  Maybe it’s strange because I’m a diehard fashion person, but I really hate trends and I don’t necessarily like to constantly buy new clothes. I have my look that I love and it never changes. Simple American sportswear shapes with tons of sparkle. If I love something I wear it until it no longer fits or it literally falls apart. Also, as I mentioned above, I really have a sentimental attachment to it because it reminds me of Alber, whom I love and adore, and reminds me of magical time in fashion when he did Lanvin. It also reminds me of the fun times I’ve had shopping at Ikram. As I get older I want all the things in my life, not just the clothes, to have a history that means something to me and a story that makes me smile when I wear or use that thing. It’s such a satisfying way to live, I think.     What is your favorite memory while wearing this garment?
  Every year in August I go to Marbella to stay with my friend Hubertus von Hohenlohe who’s an incredible photographer/Prince/pop-star/Olympic skier. He does a party called Shabby Chic for his gorgeous girlfriend Simona’s birthday party, and it’s an old school Marbella dance party with teenagers and old countesses and gays and straights. I’m jet-lagged when I’m there so I can stay up all night long dancing to old disco hits. One particularly wild year I wore the Lanvin top with some pink Bermuda shorts from Target and some Yeezy sneakers and I had the most incredible time.    Other than holding onto your old things how are you practicing sustainability?
  I’m afraid this is something we all need to work harder on. My main effort is recycling regularly and using the air conditioner as little as possible. I also have bought a few sets of bamboo cutlery that I have at my office and in my backpack so I never have to use plastic utensils. It’s a small thing but we use so much unnecessary plastic that it makes me feel good to give up as much plastic as I can.     How, if at all, are you marking Earth Day this year?
  By sending all my friends the link to this fabulous story!

Patti Wilson, Stylist

When did you buy this black dress by Bess?

In 2008, when Bess moved to Lafayette Street.

Why are you still wearing it?

Because it still looks like now, like me, very poetic.

What is your favorite memory while wearing this garment?

When I sweated to death in it at a Carine Roitfeld party.

Other than holding onto your old things how are you practicing sustainability?

I’ve been trying to work with young designers who promote sustainability. Designers like Marine Serre, Patrick McDowell, and Duran Lantik. We also recycle in my studio with packing materials to keep waste down and most days I walk to work.

How, if at all, are you marking Earth Day this year?

I don’t do anything special for earth day I just try and live it every day.