We’re Diving Into the World of Stylish Sustainability

Eco-friendly, organic, nontoxic, green—if that kind of good-for-the-earth terminology still evokes images of scratchy hemp fabrics and off-the-grid living, it’s time to take a new look at the world of sustainable design. From eco-resorts with five-star amenities to conscious couture, there’s no sacrificing style here.

TRAVEL

Whether your ideal getaway consists of a rejuvenating hammam on the Oaxacan coast, indulging in hyper-local Andalusian cuisine in southern Spain, or stargazing in the Egyptian desert, you’ll find what you’re looking for at these eco-savvy hotels, where the only thing more stunning than the consciously designed spaces within is the natural world beyond.

HOME

Nontoxic finishes, reclaimed materials, and community-supporting craftsmanship are just the icing on the cake when it comes to our favorite sustainably made furnishings, whose stunning good looks and unparalleled quality mean they’re sure to be treasured by generations to come.

PASSIVE HOMES

While the passive house movement might seem like a recent phenomenon, it actually dates back to 1970s Germany, when physicist Wolfgang Feist and the Swedish professor Bo Adamson began designing homes that could maintain a comfortable year-round indoor climate with minimal to no reliance on mechanical climate control. These days, forward-looking architects are using those same strategies—airtight construction, ventilation systems, and passive solar power—to create houses as easy on the earth as they are easy on the eyes.

FASHION

Ethical dressing has come a long way from the shapeless muumuus and fleece jackets of yore. Supple cactus-leather sneakers, recycled-gold and lab-grown-diamond earrings, and wicker bags woven by independent female artisans are just a few of the pieces on our spring wish lists that are as consciously crafted as they are classically chic.

FOOD

From farm-to-table concepts to zero-waste kitchens, today’s most heralded culinary establishments are redefining fine dining with organic, locally sourced ingredients, energy-efficient cooking techniques, and even ethically crafted decor, for memorable meals that satisfy both palate and conscience.

PEOPLE

Between the effects of rising sea levels, extreme weather, and devastating drought, it’s no surprise that the phrase “climate change” has been increasingly supplanted by “climate crisis.” The good news? You don’t need a PhD in biochemistry to do your part in changing our shared future. For proof, look no further than the forward-thinking creatives on the following pages who are making a difference every day—and doing it in style.

Francis Kéré
Architect

In 2022, the Burkinabé-German architect made headlines by becoming the first-ever African architect to win the prestigious Pritzker Prize. By then, he’d already spent more than two decades transforming communities with projects like the Gando Primary School (2001) in his hometown in Burkina Faso, where he used local materials to combat the issues of extreme heat and poor lighting conditions, to the Startup Lions Campus (2021) in Kenya, which employs passive cooling to help reduce the reliance on extreme air conditioning common in the tech industry. kerearchitecture.com

RICHARD CHRISTIANSEN
FOUNDER, FLAMINGO ESTATE

When Richard Christiansen noticed that the water running from his shower drain to the garden outside of his home in Los Angeles seemed to be killing his plants, he decided to start making his own soap using only clean, traceable ingredients. That was the origin of Flamingo Estate, the flourishing lifestyle brand (named after Christiansen’s 1940s Spanish-Style villa) that sells everything from olive oil to candles to rosé—not to mention plenty of soap. flamingoestate.com

PATRICIA VOTO
FOUNDER, ONE/OF

According to the nonprofit Council for Textile Recycling, the U.S. produces 25 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste each year—85 percent of which ends up in landfills. It’s those types of shocking numbers that led Patricia Voto, a former designer at Altuzarra, to start ONE/OF, a luxury fashion brand that relies exclusively on existing or “deadstock” fabrics to produce limited-edition, made-to-measure garments and accessories, from red carpet–ready gowns to sleek separates. shoponeof.com

ÁLVARO SAMPEDRO
GARDEN DESIGNER

A lush garden that doesn’t require constant watering? That’s not just a dream—at least when Spanish landscape designer Álvaro Sampedro is involved. Working in symphony with natural topography and local weather conditions, Sampedro uses drought-resistant plants and rainwater collection systems to create verdant landscapes that require a minimum of irrigation and little to no maintenance when they reach full maturity—and their peak of beauty. alvarosampedro.com

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN VOLUME 12 OF FREDERIC MAGAZINE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!