What happens when a major fashion magazine decides to take sustainability seriously?
Earlier this week, Teen Vogue did what it does best—challenge the status quo.
Known for its bold, culture-shifting storytelling, the digital publication dropped a series called Last Stop, exposing the hidden journey of our clothes and the shocking realities of fashion waste.
But this wasn’t just another deep dive into the industry’s problems.
Alongside the series, they also made a bold commitment to rethink how they cover fashion—integrating secondhand into shoots, calling out greenwashing, and reshaping how trends are presented to readers.
But what does sustainability actually look like in the world of mainstream fashion media? And how will Teen Vogue navigate the tension between impact and industry realities—advertising, affiliate links, and brand partnerships?
To unpack what this pledge really means, I sat down with Teen Vogue’s Style Director and author of Worn Out, Alyssa Hardy.
In this episode, we get into:
How Teen Vogue is rethinking runway coverage and trend reporting through a sustainability lens
Why secondhand and upcycling are becoming non-negotiables in their editorial strategy
The challenge of holding brands accountable while working within the constraints of the industry
The role of media in shifting consumer behavior—and how storytelling taps into the psychology of consumption
What this shift means for the future of fashion media—and whether it could push other outlets to follow suit
If you've ever wondered whether mainstream fashion media can truly shift consumer behavior—or if sustainability commitments can go beyond surface-level promises—this episode is for you.
Alyssa shares how Teen Vogue is strategically rethinking its editorial approach, balancing industry realities with a commitment to transparency, secondhand fashion, and more responsible trend reporting.
We unpack what this means for brands, consumers, and the future of fashion media.
Connect with Alyssa:
Resources:
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.