The Paradise of El Hierro: Maria Khan by Xavi Gordo for Bazaar Spain AOC Fashion

Harper’s Bazaar Spain [IG] May 2025 devotes an issue to the theme of water, with model Maria Khan lensed by Xavi Gordo [IG] in ‘Acqua’. Carola Bianchi styles Khan in Akris, Giorgio Armani, Hèrmes, Missoni, Miu Miu, Prada and more in a fashion story where nature reminds us of who is blessed with the most extraordinary beauty.

The island of El Hierro embraces and awes, like the crystal-clear, dark-bottomed water that surrounds it. Among its volcanoes and extraordinary natural sculptures, model María Khan finds peace in this swimwear story, an ode to the power of nature in the most sustainable corner of the Canary Islands.

El Hierro: A Stunning Jewel of Sustainable Living

Over the past few decades, this island has embraced a pioneering approach to sustainability, driven by a commitment to renewable energy and environmental conservation and its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.

El Hierro's unique geography and isolated location have necessitated self-sufficiency, fostering a spirit of resilience and adaptability that permeates its sustainability efforts.

This isolated island, with its rugged volcanic terrain and diverse ecosystems — very evident in these images — provides a stunning backdrop to its groundbreaking environmental initiatives.

The driving force behind El Hierro's sustainable transformation is its ambitious energy strategy aimed at eliminating fossil fuel dependence. El Hierro embarked on its ambitious journey in the early 2000s with a commitment to reduce its reliance on imported diesel fuel. Recognizing the island's unique geographical position and natural assets, local authorities and stakeholders saw an opportunity to harness renewable energy sources.

At the heart of this initiative is the island's renowned Gorona del Viento power plant, inaugurated in 2014. This innovative hybrid system cleverly combines wind power with pumped-storage hydroelectricity, effectively harnessing the island's abundant natural resources to generate clean and renewable energy.

Providing 60% of the island’s needs, the power plant has dramatically reduced the island's carbon footprint and serves as a benchmark for renewable energy solutions worldwide.