NYC and LA-based photographer David Urbanke [IG] photographed actor MaggieQ at her home in Los Angeles for L’Officiel Italia’s Fall 2022 cover.

The actor wears Italian label Loro Piana’s knit top and skirt on the cover, styled by Gaultier Desandre Navarre with fashion direction by Giulio Martinelli. There’s more Loro Piana in the fashion story that also includes Blumarine, Chloe, Dior, Fendi, Laurèl/ Hair by Derek Yuen; makeup by Mai Quynh

The fashion brands are about 50/50 sustainable and ethical v those with few credentials.

Loro Piana FW 2022 Campaign by Mario Sorrenti | AOC on Sustainability at Loro Piana AOC Fashion

MaggieQ updates her acting projects, telling writer/interviewer Silvia Frau will see her at the end of the year in "Fear the Night" by American playwright Neil LaBute. It follows Q as Tess, an Iraq war veteran who finds herself at her sister’s bachelorette party, when it becomes the site of a home invasion that intends to leave no witnesses. Tess strikes back as the special ops expert she is trained to be. Enter warrior woman.

Qeep Up Nation

One of MaggieQ’s favorite business projects is Qeep Up, her collection of sustainable and recycled activewear and swimwear. In her own words on the Qeep Up Nation website: “QEEP UP™ is the premier activewear line for the eco-warrior woman. Made entirely of recycled fibers, QEEP UP™ takes a stand for the planet without sacrificing style or performance.”

As Anne of Carversville digs deeper links and ties into the sustainability community, it’s very clear to us which companies and brands don’t even pay lip service to our planet; and which ones are wading into the ocean with a big toe to test the water temperature v. brands that have waded in up to their ankles with promises to take the plunge.

Then there are brands that hit you full force with a pronouncement that they are all-in, and taking a look at their website, it doesn’t feel like a greenwashing paradise.

We aren’t yet qualified with sufficient knowledge to test the promises of brands claiming to be fully-sustainable. Workout clothes made of recycled plastics do still release microplastics, for example.

Qeep Up Nation Excites Me

After that heads up and warning, AOC is very impressed with MaggieQ’s activism on multiple fronts, and she is a leader in moving us forward tackling huge global pollution problems. The Hawaii-raised actor/activist makes a big effort towards transparency; and she’s not trying to pull the wool over our eyes with a cozy-ingredients word salad.

Calling in babies should not be allowed when businesses make claims about their sustainability goals — especially if you have none.

AOC is really diving into word gourmet garment recipes these days, wading through the lettuce to understand what our top models, actors and entrepreneurs are actually saying about their brands that is factually pro-environment.

If nothing else, MaggieQ is not swimming against the current and she is clear with L’Official Italia that her activism is far more important to her than her acting. That was NOT the answer the magazine was expecting.

Give Qeep Up Nation a look, as an example as how a sustainable brand presents itself today. ~ Anne