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

If you’ve been tuning in to Green Behavior for a while, you already know how much I love talking about perceived value—why it matters and how it drives people to spend more on sustainable products. What we haven’t talked about as much is why perceived value works so well: trust.

For consumers to pay that "green premium," they’ve got to trust that a brand is being authentic about its sustainability claims and that the product is actually "worth it"—whether that’s because of quality, style, an emotional connection, or all of the above.

Trust is the make-or-break factor, especially in a world where greenwashing skepticism is everywhere.

That’s where certifications like OEKO-TEX come in. They’re meant to be those trust signals that reassure shoppers the product they’re buying really aligns with their values. But here’s the big question: do certifications actually work? Do consumers really trust them?

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Mead, Managing Director of Hohenstein Institute America, to dive into the role certifications play in cutting through the noise, fighting greenwashing, and helping brands build consumer confidence.

What we cover:

How certifications like OEKO-TEX work and why they’re valuable for brands and consumers. The psychology of trust—how it shapes consumer behavior and why it’s a non-negotiable in sustainability. Tips for brands to communicate their sustainability efforts authentically (even when they’re not perfect). The future of certifications, traceability, and global standards as tech and regulations evolve. Why there’s still a disconnect between people noticing certifications and actually understanding what they mean.

AND, if you’re someone with sensitive skin, eczema, or just trying to avoid sketchy chemicals in your clothes, you’ll definitely want to tune in for this one!

#9 In this bonus episode, Brittany introduces a new segment called "Voice Notes," where she shares her spontaneous thoughts and observations on current topics.

This episode focuses on a recent major development in e-commerce: the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's new rule banning fake reviews and the psychology behind it.