title: sustainability is a timeless trend
who: the Sustainable Style Foundation is an international non-profit organization that uses the combined power of popular culture and personal lifestyle choices to address the many pressing social and environmental challenges facing our world. The concept of SSF began in 1998 when Sean Schmidt - then a salesperson at a well known company in Seattle - realized that many of his personal customers were looking for ways to simplify their lives and reduce their impact on the environment. In 2002, Schmidt’s dream of starting a non-profit to educate, support and recognize style professionals and link all of these industry efforts together finally materialized into what is now the SSF. Coinciding with the inspiration of Sean’s dream was the vision of a group of local and nationally recognized artists, performers and members of the fashion, beauty and entertainment community who wanted to create meaningful events dedicated to promoting awareness of and supporting environmental, cultural and social efforts that have a profound effect on our future. Out of this desire, WATER FIRE EARTH (WFE) was formed as an informal group inspired by the STOP & GO events created and directed by Rebecca Luke in 1993. The goal of STOP & GO and ultimately WATER FIRE EARTH was to motivate action through entertainment events that have a higher purpose; allowing concerned citizens to enjoy themselves while learning and understanding more about the important issues troubling our world. In 2003, WFE decided to join efforts with SSF, becoming a full-fledged non-profit organization of style professionals.
“look fabulous, live well, do good”: “Why approach sustainability from the style angle? In order for sustainability to truly work it has to be accessible to the mainstream”, declared Sean Schmidt, the co-founder of SSF. From fashion, food and film to interior design, architecture, travel, music and more, SSF has designs on making sustainability the most exciting and important style innovation of the 21st century.
targeting equality: “seven generations”, “everybody’s life has to be improved”, “living enterprises and economies”, “family, friends, community”.
goals: SSF’s mission is to educate, support and inspire current and future style professionals and enthusiasts so that they can make positive changes in the world as they express themselves through their personal style choices.
strategy:
- increase both the supply of and demand for sustainable products and services in the many and diverse style industries;
- highlight the width and breadth of sustainability already underway in style industries;
- ensure continuous forward progress to counteract the perception of sustainability as ‘fits and starts’ (a green building here, a fashion designer using organic cotton there);
- promote cross-industry awareness and inspiration;
- provide high profile lifestyle role models for customers.