Billie Eilish [1] makes history as Vogue's first-ever video cover star [2] for the January 2023 issue, utilising the moment to focus on an issue extremely close to her heart: climate change. The 21-year-old musician and activist wears a sustainable Balmain ensemble from the spring/summer 2023 collection [3] with her own triple-layered Pamela Love chainlink necklace in sterling silver.
The Balmain separates, including an off-the-shoulder deconstructed hourglass blazer and matching trousers, are splashed with a celestial pattern inspired by designer Olivier Rousteing's favourite Renaissance painters. Most importantly, they hail from a line of ready-to-wear and couture outfits made from paper, tree bark, banana leaf, raffia, wood, and other recycled fabrics, which is in line with Eilish's own efforts — especially when it comes to fashion.
Eilish memorably came to an agreement with Oscar de la Renta's creative directors Fernando Garcia [4] and Laura Kim [5] that she would attend the 2021 Met Gala [6] as host in their design if the brand stopped selling fur [7]. The corseted creation [8] she ended up in was constructed from layers of peach tulle and had a 15-foot, floor-sweeping train. During her 2022 Happier Than Ever tour [9], Eilish also installed Eco-Villages to enlighten her fans about voting and environmental nonprofits.
It's no surprise that she wanted to share her Vogue spotlight with a group of fellow climate organisers under 30, all of whom could relate. The "My Future" singer invited them on set to have a conversation about the ways in which they are each making a difference. Posing for director Mike Mills, the crew was styled by Tonne Goodman [10], who was sure to select clothing from responsible labels [11] such as Bode, Chopova Lowena, Collina Strada, Mara Hoffman, Pangaia, Reformation, and Stella McCartney. One of the activists, artist Maya Penn [12], even wore her own upcycled blouse for the shoot — a piece from her ethical brand called Maya's Ideas [13].
While Eilish rolls out her own merch regularly (she recently launched a limited-edition graphic tee in honour of her 21st birthday [14]), she elaborates on her approach to Vogue: "I shouldn't be making any products. I shouldn't be selling anything. It's just more shit to go into the landfill one day. I know that," she says, continuing, "But no one's going to stop wearing clothes. No one's going to stop making stuff. So I just do it in the best way I possibly can."
Ahead, watch Eilish's moving cover, listen to the important discussion she leads in the 11-minute video [15] and see her Balmain look's initial debut on the runway.