As Amber Valletta posed for Vogue's sustainability cover on Thursday, her fear of the climate crisis left her almost unable to stand up.
The 49-year-old actress told how “relentlessly bad news” about the state of nature was making it difficult for her to cope.
In the accompanying chic shots, she looked stunning as she posed in a white dress and brown leather boots.
The January issue of British Vogue brings together five “sustainability trailblazers” across three covers.
They include Emma Watson, who has committed herself to environmental causes throughout her career, Amber, model and sustainability editor of Vogue, and a group of three emerging designers: Priya Ahluwalia, Tolu Coker and Torijéshu Dumi.
As Amber Valletta posed for Vogue's sustainability cover on Thursday, her fear of the climate crisis left her almost unable to stand up
In the accompanying chic shots, she looked stunning as she posed in a white dress and brown leather boots
Speaking to the publication, the model and climate activist revealed her plans for a more conscious future – and how fashion is following suit.
She said: “I'm turning 50 this February, which means I've been working in the fashion industry for 35 years and committed to sustainability for more than 20 years, but in 2023 I've hit a wall mentally and physically.”
“I wasn’t quite to the point where I couldn’t get out of bed, but I couldn’t tell you how I spent my days.”
“The news just felt relentlessly bad – both environmentally and otherwise.” “I knew I had to find a more sustainable approach to sustainability work if I ever wanted to get back on my feet.”
She added: “Emissions from Bangladesh garment factories producing clothes for the West will pollute the skies not only in the global south but also above the Eiffel Tower.”
“If I model a polyester dress in Milan, the cost will be felt in a roundabout way in Tulsa on the sandstone cliffs and scrub oaks on my grandparents’ farm.”
“Contrary to what I may have thought when I was 15, there are no separate worlds; They are one and the same, and they are in danger.”
“If I had written this article 12 months ago I might have quoted you statistics about carbon emissions and deforestation rates, but you know the numbers are bad.” We all do that. And we are all overwhelmed by it.
The 49-year-old actress told how “relentlessly bad news” about the state of nature was making it difficult for her to cope
The January issue of British Vogue brings together five “sustainability trailblazers” across three covers
“Paralyzed by the magnitude of the problem.” To move forward, I had to stick to the principles that have guided me in my sobriety and remember to take each day as it comes. It's about working together to change our perspective.
“As counterintuitive – and difficult – as it may seem, we must change our attitude towards the environment from fear to joy and love, from sacrifice to pleasure.”
For her cover, Emma revealed that she was “so glad” she decided to step back from the spotlight because it gave her “more autonomy.”
The 33-year-old actress made the decision to take a break from her career in front of the camera with her last film, Little Women, released in 2019.
During this time she directed a Prada fragrance commercial and also completed an MA in Creative Writing, where she wrote a play.
Speaking to Vogue about the change, she said: “Because I'm in a career that moves very quickly, the decision to make time for these things felt like a very big decision.”
The Harry Potter star believes in the astrological concept of a “Saturn return,” when Saturn returns to the position it was in when you were born. This happens approximately every 27 to 29 years and is intended to bring about a realignment in a person's life.
Emma said she sometimes felt like the characters she played on screen were “much more real” than herself and taking a break gave her more freedom.
She said, “I'm just so glad I did it.” [step away from acting] because I feel like I have my own voice and creative space and sovereignty in a way that I didn't have before – more autonomy.
For her cover, Emma revealed that she was “so glad” she decided to step back from the spotlight because it gave her “more autonomy.”
“I'm so glad I allowed things to be messy for a minute and really allowed myself to not know.” [what’s next]for I would not exchange the knowledge I have come to for anything.'
Emma said focusing on herself gave her a new perspective on Hollywood, where she is constantly surrounded by beautiful and successful people.
The star said none of it really matters if you're not happy with what you're doing when the cameras aren't watching.
For the full feature, see the January issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday, December 19th.