CELEBRITIES

Livia Firth Brings Environmental Awareness to Cannes

The eco entrepreneur talks about the impact of fast fashion on the environment at a screening of her new film, True Cost.

by Gillian Sagansky

Livia Firth

While most go to Cannes to see films and attend parties, Livia Firth was there with a different purpose: to demonstrate the overlooked and highly detrimental impact of the fast fashion industry on the environment. Last week, the eco-entrepreneur hosted a screening of True Cost, a film she executive produced. The documentary was directed by Andrew Morgan, who became involved in the cause after reading about the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. “Andrew never really cared about the fashion industry before,” said Firth. “But he said it simply didn’t add up that more than one thousand people died in the name of fashion just sewing clothes.” Determined to uncover the origin of the tragedy, Morgan traveled to thirteen countries in two years, interviewing everyone from Stella McCartney to environmentalist and Patagonia VP Rick Ridgeway along the way.

With the screening, it was Firth’s goal to capture the attention of those who can affect meaningful change, like Harvey Weinstein and Francois Pinault. And she also brought an environmentally conscious angle to a second party on the Riviera this week, Chopard’s launch of their first fair-mined jewelry collection, Palme Vert, which was inspired by the iconic Palme d’Or and launched in honor of the award’s 60th anniversary. Firth has been involved in the jewelry brand’s efforts since she met Chopard’s artistic director, Caroline Scheufele, in 2012, and asked where Chopard’s gold came from. “She said it came rom the bank, from UBS. Then she said, ‘Oh my God, I know what you mean!’ The truth is all jewelry brands buy gold from banks without knowing where it comes from.” Through Eco-Age her consultancy company, Firth initiated a program that allows the jewelry house to work directly with the mines to ethically source the precious metal. “No other jewelry company does this,” says Firth. “I have never been so excited about anything before.”

Dressed to Impress at the Cannes Film Festival

Lupita Nyong’o was a vision in green as she twirled her Gucci gown for the tuxedo-clad cameramen.

Photo by Getty Images.

Karlie Kloss kicked off Cannes in style in a silver Atelier Versace Fall 2014 jumpsuit at the festival’s opening ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Versace.

Naomi Watts shined in a steel grey, feathered gown by Elie Saab Couture.

Photo by Getty Images.

Model Liya Kebede looked cool in a metallic Louis Vuitton dress and black pointed pumps.

Photo by Getty Images.

Julianne Moore in Armani Privé was nothing short of elegant.

Photo by Getty Images.

Fan Bingbing embraced spring in a custom pink and green floral Ralph & Russo couture gown.

Photo courtesy Ralph & Russo.

Doutzen Kroes showed some leg in a crisp white gown by Atelier Versace.

Photo by Getty Images.

Natalie Portman was red hot in a crimson Dior gown at the opening ceremony.

Photo by Getty Images.

Aymeline Valade channeled the ‘90s in a pale blue metallic Ulyana Sergeenko dress. Black strappy sandals and a choker polished off the sleek look.

Photo by Getty Images.

Sienna Miller shined bright in a silver and black Balenciaga Fall 2015 dress and crisp black sandals.

Photo by Getty Images.

Model Tanya Dziahileva was pretty in pink Georges Hobeika Spring 2015 couture.

Photo by Getty Images.

Fan Bingbing was breathtaking at the premiere of “Mad Max: Fury Road” in a bloom-bedecked Marchesa gown.

Photo by Getty Images

Read more about this look here.

Rachel Weisz looked super sleek in a black Narciso Rodriguez jumpsuit at the premiere of “The Lobster.”

Photo by Getty Images

Read more about this look here.

Natasha Poly never disappoints at Cannes. In a gold Michael Kors dress (paired with red lips and nails), the model shined in more ways than one.

Photo by Getty Images

Emma Stone, who is in town to promote her new Woody Allen film, “Irrational Man,” stepped out in a black lace Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2015 dress and black Christian Louboutin pumps. An asymmetrical up-do and ear cuff added a bit of flash.

Photo by Getty Images

Liya Kebede was a knock out in a sequined Proenza Schouler dress.

Photo by Getty Images

Read more about this look here.

Natalie Portman shined at the premiere of her directorial debut for “A Tale of Love and Darkness” in a two-tone Christian Dior Spring 2015 Couture dress and black sandals.

Courtesy of Dior

Cate Blanchett, last year’s Queen of Cannes, made her first appearance at the festival in a dramatic Alexander McQueen dress and jacket and classic black pumps.

Photo by Getty Images

Poppy Delevingne was a vision in green with a forest green Burberry Prorsum gown and a glistening Chopard necklace.

Photo by Getty Images

Emma Stone traded in the youthful frock she wore to the photocall for a more grown-up look that evening. With an up-do, a delicate choker, and a mint-colored Christian Dior Couture lace gown, the actress exuded old Hollywood glam.

Courtesy of Dior

Charlize Theron glowed at the premiere of “Mad Max: Fury Road” in a sunny Christian Dior Couture gown and Chopard gems.

Courtesy of Dior

Sienna Miller continued her dramatic Cannes tour with a star-printed Sonia Rykiel Pre-Fall 2015 cape and dress, paired with a Bulgari necklace and clutch.

Photo by Getty Images

Natasha Poly stunned in an Atelier Versace Fall 2014 gown at the premiere of “Carol.”

Photo by Getty Images

The eternally best dressed Diane Kruger was a vision in blue Prada at the premiere of her new film “Maryland.”

Courtesy of Prada

Rooney Mara, who is known for favoring black and white on the red carpet, chose an Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2015 dress in the latter hue for the premiere of her new film, “Carol.”

Photo by Getty Images

Natalie Portman wore a textured black dress from Rodarte’s Fall 2015 collection in a rare departure from her Dior-heavy wardrobe.

Photo by Getty Images

Cate Blanchett stole the show in a voluminous Giles Fall 2015 gown.

Photo by Getty Images

Léa Seydoux looked timeless in Miu Miu at “The Lobster” premiere.

Courtesy of Prada

Miranda Kerr dressed the part for the Magnum Pink and Black Party in an Emanuel Ungaro gown, pale pink sandals, and diamond earrings.

Photo by Getty Images

Karlie Kloss was a vision in a turquoise Oscar de la Renta at the de Grisogono Divine Party.

Photo by BFA.com

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