Ecofeminism and plants as inspiration: The end-of-summer sustainable fashion reading list

This article is part of our Vogue Business membership package. To enjoy unlimited access to our weekly Sustainability Edit, which contains Member-only reporting and analysis, sign up for membership here. With plenty on the plates of sustainability leaders, how have they spent their summer downtime? We asked executives, founders, designers and more to share picks from their summer reading that are inspiring their work. Below is a collection of books on the minds of some of the most influential people working on sustainability in fashion — some of whom weighed in for last year’s reading list, when we asked key sustainability players to share the titles that changed how they thought about the challenges we’re all up against, while others are newcomers. It’s a fun mix, so whether you’re looking for one last beach read or a book to keep you grounded during the intense weeks of fashion month that lie ahead, there should be something here for you. Hélène Valade, environment development director, LVMH The Ministry for the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson “It’s a science fiction book that invents an institution responsible for defending the rights of future generations in the same way as we defend the rights of current generations. It’s very enlightening about the concrete consequences of climate change on everyday life, and it reinforces and strengthens my commitment to the environment.” Antonella Centra, EVP general counsel, corporate affairs and sustainability at Gucci The Revolutionary Genius of Plants: A New Understanding of Plant Intelligence and Behavior, by Stefano Mancuso The “groundbreaking outlook” on the world of plants that this book provides, says Centra, underscores the importance of looking to plants as a source of inspiration for solutions. “Plants have emerged as a contemporary paradigm, showcasing extraordinary attributes that sharply contrast with the fragility often associated with the human and animal model,” she says. ”They display a range of qualities which we often underestimate: efficient energy consumption, passive yet purposeful movements, resilience, colony-like behaviour, adaptability to extreme environments, experiential learning, and the generation of countless innovative solutions distinct from those seen in the animal kingdom. Food for thought for each of us in our ever-evolving world.” Nicolaj Reffstrup, CEO, Ganni The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future, by Gretchen Bakke “I needed to understand more about how the electricity grid in the US is causing so many wildfires and why it’s holding back the use of renewable energy,” says Reffstrup, so he turned to anthropologist Gretchen Bakke. “I loved it, but it’s a heavy read.” He’s also reading: Mount Copenhagen by Kaspar Colling Nielsen “A fictional story about what happens when humans construct a man-made mountain that stands 3.5km tall. It’s mind-blowing and thought-provoking.” Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer “A book on mnemotechnics and the art and history of remembering everything.” Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires, by Douglas Rushkoff “I had to read it because I dream of escaping the future that’s coming at us, however, even the super rich certainly haven’t found the answer to that.” Jeanne Friot, designer Le Sexocide des Sorcières, Françoise D’Eaubonne Designer Jeanne Friot says she “really” loved this book. “It’s very concise and written by the pioneer of ecofeminism. I love to start with this one and then read all her other books!" She’s also reading: Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay Queer Zones: La Trilogie, by Sam Bourcier Marine Serre, designer Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari This one must be making the rounds, having shown up on last year’s list — when Ganni CEO Reffstrup said it “adds further perspective to human behaviour from a historical perspective”. Mara Hoffman, designer Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M Pirsig “I love it because it feels like an active meditation. A story about the pursuit for truth that keeps you close to the search and curiosity,” says Hoffman. Shailja Dubé, programme lead, Institute of Positive Fashion Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman, by Yvon Chouinard Another repeat from last year, which Dubé was inspired to read after a keynote from Patagonia’s marketing director Tyler La Motte at the Institute of Positive Fashion Forum 2023. “I am rereading Yvon Chouinard’s moving retelling of his life and the evolution of brand Patagonia. Eighteen years after original publication, its bold philosophy and message to challenge the linear business-as-usual paradigm seems even more relevant today,” she says. Comments, questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@voguebusiness.com.

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