Editor’s Note: Derek Blasberg is an author, journalist and presenter for CNN Style TV.
Story highlights
Emma Watson is advocating for sustainable fashion
In the past she has campaigned for women's rights
Watson is also a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador
CNN
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The fashion industry is on a relentless pursuit to answer the question: What does luxury mean today? When I joined the actress and activist Emma Watson on a fitting for the custom-made Calvin Klein dress she wore to the Met gala in New York, she had a suggestion.
“Luxury to me means peace of mind,” she said. Specifically, knowing that what she is wearing has been ethically sourced and produced.
For the past few years, Watson has resolved that all of her red carpet appearances incorporate sustainable fashion.
Met gala 2016: Fashion veers into tech on the red carpet
In the case of the Met gala, this meant the majority of the fabric used was made from Newlife, a yarn made from 100 percent post-consumer plastic bottles; and the detailing on the bustier was made with organic silk and cotton.
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The stars are out for this year's Met Gala, which blends fashion with the theme of technology. Singer Beyonce is pictured here wearing a fitted gown by Givenchy.
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Kim Kardashian West is pictured here with husband Kanye West. The pair are both wearing outfits by Balmain, which Kanye West accessorized with blue contact lenses.
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The youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Kylie Jenner, took on the red carpet in a dress by Balmain.
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Zendaya attends the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" gala in an off-shoulder gown by Michael Kors.
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Singer Nicki Minaj is pictured above with Jeremy Scott, who designed her red carpet gown.
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Model Lily Aldridge attends the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" gala in Michael Kors.
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Actress Alicia Vikander was dressed in Louis Vuitton.
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Julie Macklowe attended the gala in a metallic jumpsuit by Phillip Plein.
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Actress Emma Watson wore this ensemble by Calvin Klein, which is made using recycled bottles.
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Actress Claire Danes was glowing, quite literally, in this dress by Zac Posen.
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Singer Taylor Swift is pictured wearing Louis Vuitton.
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Singer Rita Ora was dressed in a feathered gown by Vera Wang.
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Actress Zoe Saldana is pictured wearing an extravagant outfit by Dolce & Gabbana.
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Emily Ratajkowski attends Met Gala in a gown by Prabal Gurung.
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Sibling duo Willow Smith and Jaden Smith are pictured above, Willow wears Chanel, while Jaden is dressed in Louis Vuitton.
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Kendall Jenner wears Versace, and is pictured here with model Cindy Crawford, who is dressed in Balmain.
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Alessandra Ambrosio also supports designer Olivier Rousteing, wearing Balmain.
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Maria Sharapova wears a red dress by Juan Carlos Obando.
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Actress Sarah Jessica Parker wears Monse, an up and coming brand.
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Actress Kate Hudson is pictured wearing a dress by Versace, posing beside designer Donatella Versace.
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Singer Katy Perry is pictured wearing a heavily embellished Prada gown.
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Lady Gaga takes on the red carpet in this Versace ensemble.
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Model Bella Hadid attended the Met Gala with The Weeknd, and is pictured wearing a Givenchy dress.
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Model Karlie Kloss wears Brandon Maxwell.
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Solange Knowles wears a lemon yellow ensemble by David LaPort.
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Blake Lively wore this pink gown by Burberry.
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Poppy Delevingne is pictured wearing Marchesa.
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Model Gigi Hadid is pictured alongside singer Zayn Malik, and wears Tommy Hilfiger.
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Actress Rachel McAdams wears Valentino.
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Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, wears Chanel.
As an activist, Watson has had a busy few years. In 2014, I joined her at the United Nations for what has become a seminal moment in her career. The #heforshe speech she made was responsible for more than one billion social media impressions, and when she was made an official ambassador to the UN, the organization’s website crashed.
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Emma Watson attending the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art
“This is absolutely a feminist issue,” she says of sustainable fashion, noting that most factories today exploit female workers.
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When she was 19, Watson traveled to Bangladesh and met a factory worker who was her age but had a much different quality of life. That was a turning point for her.
Watson’s next foray in the cinema will be as Belle in a Beauty & The Beast remake set to come out in 2017. But until then, she’s devoting herself to activism.
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“Changing the world one dress at a time,” she laughed.