Chloé’s modern femininity: meet the model muses

As a designer, Gabriela Hearst has long been inspired by the strong females around her; from her mother, whose androgynous style on their Uruguayan ranch still influences her design codes today, to the women at the helm of the artisanal factories she works with in her role as creative director at Chloé. It’s no surprise, then, that the women wearing the collection are equally considered and celebrated; these women are the embodiment of Hearst’s vision for Chloé – one that is strong, sustainable, conscious of the planet and of others.

This season, Hearst has committed efforts to decrease Chloé’s ecological footprint in her tireless pursuit of sustainability. Stripey knitted dresses in maxi lengths are crafted from cashmeres that comprise 80 percent recycled yarns; crisp white superfine wools that feature on diaphanous pleated skirts and blouses are sourced from low-impact, biodynamic farms and Fair Trade social enterprises in Madagascar; and 74 percent of its workforce is women. As for those deliciously bohemian cape dresses that are perfect for wearing both on a ranch or in a restaurant? They’re crafted from low-impact cottons and recycled nylons.

Here, Indira Scott, Tasha Tilberg and Quannah Chasinghorse reveal what drives each of them…

Since making her debut in Paris in 2018, 24-year-old American model Indira Scott – who grew up in Jamaica, Queens – has tirelessly dedicated her off-the-runway hours to activism. Proud of her hip-length box braids, which she decorates with interchangeable beads, she’s spoken out against racial discrimination and is an advocate for inclusivity; she’s also an environmental activist, passionate about protecting the planet from climate change. “I always remind myself that I am a person capable of creating the change I want to see in the world,” she says; it’s important to her to “not give up on that… We need to respect each other and be responsible. We all have a part to play in driving change.”

After taking a hiatus from fashion to raise two children, 1990s-era model Tasha Tilberg could be viewed as the absolute embodiment of the Chloé label. Living on a farm in Canada with her wife, Laura, Tilberg is committed to living a low-impact lifestyle surrounded by her own chickens, flocks of sheep and pet rabbits – she bought her own farm at the tender age of 16. “I see in the youth, the new generation, a positivity and a respect for the earth – and we get to teach them how important it is to make good decisions,” she says. “My goal is to create a positive impact. The sunshine in the morning reminds me that I too can rise, and I can help create change.”

Alaska-born Quannah Chasinghorse has already had an impressive impact for someone so young. At the tender age of 18, she’s a renowned activist for both the environment and indigenous rights; a member of the Gwich’in and Lakota Sioux tribe in her native state, she’s spoken at conventions encouraging councils and committees to protect land and wildlife from fossil-fuel development – the rapid melting of glaciers is a particularly personal concern.

“‘How can I help?’ is something I’m asked all the time,” she says. “The answer is as simple as redefining how you choose what you wear; having a wardrobe of recycled materials is a beautiful thing. Seeing youth rise and use their voices to speak up about the environment, racial justice and the climate makes me feel positive about the future.”