ON DUTY CITIZEN

BRANA DANE

1) What are a few things you do to stay environmentally friendly?

Most significantly, I became a vegan for not only health reasons, but also to limit my impact on the environment and to protest the cruel way in which animals are treated. In fact, a shocking 51% or more of total greenhouse gas emissions are from animal agriculture. Because of this, the UN is urging a global shift towards a vegan diet to combat global warming.

As well I will recycle items, and repurpose them, such as donating old clothing, using old plastic grocery bags instead of buying new garbage bags, and fixing broken items instead of buying new. I will even go out of my way to take public transit when perhaps a taxi or rental car would be more convenient.

As a regular reader of popular sustainable living blog model4greenliving.com, I was delighted when Renee Peters reached out to me to join the “stop sucking” campaign, originally from the clean ocean nonprofit, Lonely Whale. So much plastic ends up in our oceans and disrupts not only the ecosystem there, but fish health too. Ultimately our heavy reliance on plastic finds it’s way into our bodies and effects human health, especially our endocrine system. -Incredibly inspirational steps you've taken that many of us can use as a great example of how to live a little greener. I love the stop sucking campaign!! It's something so small and so easy to try and combat but something that will have a huge impact on our oceans in a positive way if we can reduce the amount of single-use straws being used. To make it easier we've got our own ODM/ODC branded bamboo straws!

2) Do you have any favorite sustainable or ethical clothing lines?

I’m crazy about vegan and ethical brand Matt & Nat right now. They have such a fashion forward line while using their business to promote sustainability and a cruelty free lifestyle.

Eileen Fisher is always a go-to designer for sustainable design, and one of the first majors to get on the bandwagon. It was such a pleasure to walk the red carpet with her at the NYC premier of the powerful industry documentary, The True Cost.

3) What are some of your favorite organic beauty products?

Amberlight Beauty is a fabulous green brand. It really gives you a natural glow without clogging pores. As a model, skincare is very important and that’s why I choose organic beauty lines whenever possible.

Dry skin in the winter season is a big problem for me, so I opt to use natural products such as Nourish Organics body balms, due to the fact that much of what we use is readily absorbed into our bodies and needs to be processed just like the food we consume. In my mind, the fewer the ingredients the better. That’s why I like to browse the aisles at Sustainable NYC, located in the East Village – the even sell my favorite, vegan ice cream! -Amberlight Beauty is one of my favorite skin care lines... I noticed a dramatic difference after only a few uses and can't get enough of the ODM/ODC X Amberlight Beauty lip balm, especially in this cold weather!!

4) On a day off, you’re heading to your favorite coffee shop. What are you wearing?

First off, great question! I adore my coffee, especially from organic coffee house Dr. Smood. When I’m not modeling or attending castings, I like to dress with more color and personality than I’m usually allowed to on the job. I also love edgy but feminine skirts, silk scarves and unique tanks. I’m an artist at heart, so I like to reflect that in my outfits with unusual and surprising pairings. Lastly, I always have a rose quartz necklace close to my heart to remember the magic and love available to us in this universe.

5) Tell me about something you’re doing simultaneously with modeling that motivates you. Another job? A project? Volunteering? A hobby?

As an activist, I travelled to DC with the Model Mafia led by Cameron Russell to participate in the people's climate march. A staunch believer in standing up for your beliefs this is just one example. I also recently took part in the Clean Dream Act protest/performance in Columbus Circle alongside director Paola Mendoza and others in the Women’s March movement.

As a culture and lifestyle columnist, and as a contributor to multiple magazines – including Winston Wise, Beautiful Savage and YRB Magazine - I explore the convergence of pop culture, art and fashion in a series of articles and in-depth interviews.

Furthermore, I have been painting for over a decade and have had recent gallery shows in Chelsea, Tribeca, the Hamptons and Brooklyn - including the Caelum Gallery in Chelsea. I am currently working on a series of nudes to be unveiled next year. Here's a sneak peek...

6) In addition to modeling, what else may you be doing in your future, say 5 years from now?

I will be doing exactly what I’m doing now but on an increasingly larger scale. I’m always open to new possibilities but I feel I have truly found my strength and comfort after a long search. In five years time my own product line will be in production as well. -It's been a pleasure getting to know you better this year, starting at the climate march in April.. I can't wait to see what else we get up to this year and what else we accomplish with our Model Activist group!