The sustainability advocate talks about her new collaboration with Jaipur Living.
Living and consuming more sustainably shapes Marina Testino’s personal ethos. As a creator and strategist, Testino has worked with the likes of Stella McCartney, Gucci, the United Nations, and Greenpeace on curing activations as well as editorials and social media campaigns to push the narrative of green living. For her efforts she’s been given the Cosmopolitan Influencer Award as well as the Elle Eco Award. Her current role? Global Sustainability Ambassador at Jaipur Living and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Earth Partner, a platform where she builds partnerships with fashion brands, tech investors, and consumers to shift their perspective on regenerative and sustainable practices.
This month, Testino worked with Jaipur Living to unveil “Manchaha: Memories Preserved” an exhibition at VFA Gallery dedicated to shedding light on the brand’s Manchaha Collection, which empowers artisans to create one-of-a-kind rugs using leftover hand-spun yarn thereby transforming them from weavers to artists of a sustainable craft. The exhibit is on display at VFAgallery (151 Wooster St, New York, NY 10012) and open to the public from May 16th-30th.
10 Magazine caught up with Testino and chatted about her advocacy efforts, career arc, and easy ways for the everyday person to live more sustainably.
Images Courtesy of Jaipur Living
- What made you want to become a sustainability advocate in fashion?
I’ve grown up immersed in art and fashion so I knew I wanted to be part of the industry, but I didn’t know how until I experienced it from all sides. I interned at French Vogue, Purple PR, Art Partner, Orchard Mile, and eventually started modeling to help fund a clothing brand after graduating from Parsons. It made me realize the beauty of the fashion industry, but I also saw firsthand where the system was failing, especially in terms of sustainability and that many people within the industry had no real understanding of fashion’s environmental impact. I saw this as an opportunity to use my voice and platforms to reframe the conversation with a fashion lens.
- How has being Peruvian inspired your work?
Peru gave me a deep appreciation for craft, nature, and community. When I started my clothing brand I went to Peru for 3 months to produce it. It’s a place where people repurpose, reuse, and repair out of necessity but also pride. That mindset shaped my understanding of fashion beyond trends – it rooted me in a slower, more intentional way of living that I try to carry into everything I do, from my campaigns to how I collaborate with brands and artists around the world.
- What are the hurdles when trying to bring sustainability into the mainstream discourse in the fashion industry?
When I started almost a decade ago, putting “sustainability” and “fashion” in the same sentence was almost unheard of. You were either “fashionable” or “sustainable,” but never both. I wanted to be the bridge to speak about sustainability in a way the fashion industry could understand: creative, aspirational, stylish. There were also personal hurdles, after graduating college, I was working as a model with brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren. Choosing to use my platform to speak about sustainability meant risking jobs and income. But I knew the industry could do better; we just needed more education and transparency.
- What has been your biggest achievement in fighting for the cause?
Launching my campaign #OneDressToImpress was both my most personal and proudest moment. I wore the same red suit every day for two months to challenge the stigma around outfit repeating and fast fashion. It went against every industry norm, and everyone told me not to do it. But I was determined to prove that conscious consumption could be easy, fun and stylish.
More recently, I’m incredibly proud of re:FRAME, my collaborative exhibition with photographer Enrique Badulescu, which debuted at the Leica Gallery in NYC during Earth Week. Inspired by the textile waste crisis in the Atacama Desert, it combined editorial imagery with immersive installations to raise awareness and celebrate circular solutions. It was both a creative leap and a call to action.
- Where do you see the young generation going when it comes to sustainable fashion? Are they receptive to your message?
Gen Z is not just receptive; they’re driving the shift. Thanks to social media and tech, it’s never been easier to access and learn about conscious alternatives: renting, thrifting, swapping, reselling. Just look at the popularity of platforms like Depop, TRR, and Vestiaire Collective. It’s amazing to see it finally breaking into the mainstream!
- Can you tell us about the upcoming exhibition with Jaipur Living?
We’ll be showcasing 10 one-of-a-kind Manchaha rugs created by Jaipur Living’s artisans. Each rug is made entirely from 100% deadstock yarns, and the artisans are free to choose the colors and designs they feel inspired to create. Manchaha is derived from the Hindi word meaning “expression of my heart,” and each rug is uniquely inspired by the weavers’ personal stories, culture, and surroundings.
- What does the Manchaha initiative mean to you personally?
To me, Manchaha is a celebration of freedom, creativity, and female empowerment. It’s rare to see a brand give artisans full creative control—and Jaipur Living does just that. Many of these artists may never have left their hometowns, and suddenly their work is on display in a gallery in New York City. That’s not just beautiful—it’s powerful. It’s giving voice, recognition, and respect to the hands behind the work. I’ve always believed in art as a medium for advocacy, so I’m very proud to stand behind an initiative that accomplishes this so beautifully.
- What sustainable fashion brands can you not live without?
I love Bassike for everyday essentials; DL1961 for denim; Nagnata is great for athleisure; Another Tomorrow for an elevated, tailored look. The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective and Fashionphile for investment pieces and accessory staples. As for footwear I need to always be comfy so I love Aeyde, Rothy’s, and Thousand Fell.
- Which sustainable skincare do you use?
My favorite one stop shop is Credo Beauty, a curated selection of makeup and skincare, where each product is vetted from ingredients to packaging to sourcing to production for its safety, sustainability, and ethics. It’s a great place to discover responsible brands. I really like products that are natural, effective, and thoughtfully packaged for refills, reuse, and recyclability.
My must have list includes the Rooted Beauty moisturizing bamboo facial wipes, Koba lip balm, Westman Atelier mascara, Esse tinted sunscreen, Mixsoon’s The Spot Clean Patch and soybean milk pad, Ceremonia papaya scalp scrub, and Davines’ All In One Milk.
- Do you have a mantra you live by? What tips do you have for people who love fashion and are struggling to reform their lifestyle to sustainable standards?
Don’t let a “no” stop you. When I started in this space, I got rejected constantly, emails ignored, doors closed—but I kept going. All it takes is one yes!
As for tips: read labels! This applies to everything from beauty, to fashion, to home furnishings. Be discerning about what things are made of, especially if it’s coming in contact with your skin everyday. Typically, products with fewer ingredients/materials that you recognize and can actually pronounce will be healthier for you and the environment.
A general rule for shopping: If you don’t think you’ll wear something at least 30 times, don’t buy it. Be creative with clothing you already own—style it differently, repurpose it, swap with friends, rent, sell, donate. Fashion should move—just like our values.
Images Courtesy of Jaipur Living
