ON DUTY CITIZEN
MIRA MEDNIK
1) What are a few things you do to stay environmentally friendly?
Funny enough, I recently filled out form from ConEd to have my gas/electric come from renewable energy vs fossil fuels. ESCO. Very excited this should kick in this month, wooo!! I am a religious recycle-er (sooo much can be recycled - 80% of my garbage is recyclable), I donate clothing to Salvation Army on the regular - I do not throw away clothes/shoes. I turn lights off - all about the small things. I do not buy plastic bags or napkins...we acquire so much of those things on a daily basis from restaurants, cafes, stores that we are well supplied, saves money too. I pack my garbage from all the plastic bags we receive - I do not buy garbage bags. I bring my own thermos to coffee shops to fill - when I can. I rarely buy water bottles, I always have a portable bottle with me. And I NEVER litter, I know that is pathetic to stress but living in NY it seems like many carelessly toss their garbage on the sidewalks. I have begun shopping more regularly in 2nd hand clothing shops or fleas to avoid buying new clothing, so much resources go into producing garments. Oh and all my cleaning products/soaps/detergents I focus on organic, biodegradable products - no more Windex or Clorox. Lastly, I do not throw food away! There was a great article I believe in the Times about the amount of garbage is thrown away food and how bad it is for the environment. -SO many great suggestions. Even something as simple as not buying plastic bags or napkins can make such a huge impact.
2) Do you have any favorite sustainable or ethical clothing lines?
YES - Christopher Raeburn, check him out, really doing wonderful things, London based. Victorinox Swiss Army is introducing ethical garments into core line. I love the boutique Timbuktu and have this bottle cap bag that I adore and bought from there. I try to buy things from around the world from poor artisans, supporting and giving them hope is important.
3) What are some of your favorite organic beauty products?
Dr. Alkaitis & RMS - swear by them both!! Love Dr. Alkaitis - Treatment Oil, Eye Cream, Universal Mask, Daily Facial Cleanser. RMS - Beauty Oil & Living Luminizer. I love Jiva Apoha oils - 1967 is my favorite. Pratima Skincare products are fantastic. And Live Live - organic Bee Yummy honey mask, I mix a little organic baking soda to create more of an exfoliating mask - leaves your skin incredibly smooth. -Thank you so much for introducing me to Dr. Alkaitis. Totally changed my complexion for the better!
4) On a day off, you’re heading to your favorite coffee shop. What are you wearing?
My usual go to hang coffee spot is the Bean on 2nd Ave & 3rd St, I'm usually very casual - Paige denim, Victorinox woven button down, All Saints Men's tee, Paterson sweatshirt, Converse and a Christopher Raeburn tote.
5) Tell me what you're up to after modeling. Any interesting projects? Volunteering? A hobby?
I am currently the Director of Buying, Planning & Allocation at Victorinox Swiss Army (yes the knife maker), all the product in stores, I am responsiblefor the product life cycle from warehouse to shop to customer's hands - I work for our own stores and have become more involved in the website. Outside of work, I am currently training for the Tokyo Marathon - Feb 2017- Congrats Mira on such an amazing accomplishment!
6) In addition to modeling, what else may you be doing in your future, say 5 years from now?
In 5 years, I would like to perhaps have launched my own project/business need to have that bright idea or I am working hard to be running a small, existing consumer goods company - I love start up environments. I'll leave you with this, there is a big, crazy, hard but beautiful world out there and there is so much to look forward to after modeling.
