Inside Teen Vogue’s Sustainability Pledge with Alyssa Hardy

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:

• Get Alyssa’s book, Worn Out

• Follow Alyssa on Instagram

• Alyssa’s Tiktok

Resources:

• Work with Brittany

• The Last Stop Series