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"SERVING OTHERS IS SERVING ONESELF." – MARCI ZAROFF, ECORENAISSANCE
THE VISIONARY: SHAPING AUTHENTICITY AND GREEN LEADERSHIP
“Looking and feeling fabulous shouldn’t come at the expense of living in harmony with the environment.”
Marci Zaroff's impact has extended far beyond the runways, fostering authenticity, environmental stewardship, and social justice around the globe for over thirty years. Backed by a prestigious degree from UC Berkeley's Haas Business School, she co-created a sanctuary for health and environmental enlightenment in 1990. This pioneering venture housed an organic café, an AVEDA concept salon, and a national magazine under one eco-conscious roof.
Known as The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the world's largest and most extensive professional holistic health program includes nearly 200,000 certified “health coaches” from 150 countries around the world. IIN is a testament to Marci's visionary spirit, sowing the seeds of healthful, sustainable living in the hearts of future generations. Her trailblazing journey from the realm of natural foods and clean beauty to ecofashion showcases her unwavering commitment to a greener, more conscious world as demonstrated in the birth of Under the Canopy, the first sustainable lifestyle brand in North America. Marci’s guiding principle, still prevalent today, is that we all live “under the canopy”.
THE INFLUENCER: WEAVING STORIES OF IMPACT AND CHANGE
“We have the power to look good, feel good, and do good in the world, all at once. Collectively, we just have to design this reality.”
Harnessing the power of storytelling, Marci transcends the realms of fashion as the creative force and Executive Producer behind the documentary, THREAD. Alongside revealing short films such as "Driving Fashion Forward with Amber Valletta", she unearths the complex interplay between fashion and its human and environmental implications.
Beyond the lens, Marci's entrepreneurial spirit takes form in co-creating Good Catch Foods and BeyondBrands Conscious Consulting Collective, in partnership with her husband and soulmate, Eric Schnell. Through these ventures, she seeds sustainable thinking into diverse industries, showcasing the transformative power of conscious business.
Her thought-provoking column, “The Outside View,” regularly graces the pages of Women's Wear Daily (WWD), offering fresh perspectives on the future of fashion. She also writes for eco-friendly newsletters such as Hotel Executive, Kornit, and South Summit. Championing the power of collaboration, Marci frequently unites with like-minded brands, influencers, and organizations, amplifying the call for sustainable change and nurturing global awareness.
THE COLLABORATOR: WEAVING TOGETHER A TAPESTRY OF SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS
“We feed off one another, prompting innovation, empowerment, and co-creation.”
The essence of Marci's journey is marked by co-creations that echo her vision. A harmonious blend of innovative design and commitment to the environment is the thread that binds her partnerships.
Aligning herself with creative powerhouses like photographer Nigel Barker, who serves as the Creative Director of ecofashionCORP, Marci unites compelling aesthetics with her eco-conscious ethos. This collaboration results in striking visuals with a mission to transform the intersection of fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment.
Marci also fosters deep-rooted connections with non-profit organizations, such as the Rodale Institute, who coined the term “organic” and pioneered the importance of soil health, and Kiss the Ground, an NGO dedicated to regenerative practices that heal the earth. As an ambassador with the Ram Dass Foundation, she walks the talk of “Be Love Now”.
A shared respect for women's empowerment and environmental sustainability inspired an exciting partnership with the Women’s Earth Alliance. And with We Are HAH, YesAnd has sparked a consumer movement to #STARTSOMEWHERE, honoring Mother Earth with every step taken.
Marci relentlessly pursues knowledge in technology and material innovation, staying on the cutting edge of eco-fashion. Her partnerships with leading organizations such as SEDDI, MAGO, Kornit, and FashInnovation, play a pivotal role in her continuous quest for knowledge. With each of these collaborations, Marci gains deeper insight into the revolutionary technologies that can further refine and enhance the ECOrenaissance movement.
THE GUIDE: CHARTING NEW PATHS IN THE GREEN LANDSCAPE & GATHERING ACCOLADES ALONG THE WAY
“We have no choice: the time has come to heal, nurture, renew, and inspire real and lasting change for a sustainable and regenerative future for all.”
Marci's voice rings out as a beacon in the sustainable fashion industry. Through international keynotes, consultations, TV appearances, and presentations, she illuminates the path towards organic & regenerative agriculture, strategic vision, social innovation, and conscious business, design, and lifestyle.
Her insights and accomplishments have garnered recognition across the globe. As a fellow of the distinguished Royal Society of the Arts (RSA) and the Aspen Institute's esteemed Henry Crown Fellowship, she holds positions that acknowledge her contributions to the sustainable fashion and business arenas.
The collection of accolades adorning her career includes Real Leaders “Impact Award”, Retail TouchPoint’s “Retail Innovator Award”, ABC News’ “Legends and Legacies”, New York Moves’ “Power Woman Award”, Fashion Group International’s “Rising Star Award”, and ELLE Magazine’s “Mercury Style Award” to just name a few. Moreover, her work is celebrated as a featured global leader in the book “ECO AMAZONS: 20 Women Who Are Transforming the World.”
Instrumental in the development of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Zaroff has not just observed the evolution of sustainable fashion - she has helped write its guidelines. She also championed the world’s first Fair Trade Textile Certification with Fair Trade USA, carving out an ethical course for the industry to follow. As a Board Advisor of the Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute, she helped spearhead the launch of their “Fashion Positive” vertical.
Her pioneering spirit saw her launching first-time organic and sustainable fashion initiatives at top retailers including Whole Foods Market, Macy’s, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and AVEDA. With Marci at the helm, the voyage towards a greener horizon is not just a dream, but an achievable destination.
THE INNOVATOR: SKETCHING THE BLUEPRINT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
“The defining tenet of the ECOrenaissance is understanding ourselves and each aspect of our lives as essentially and intricately connected to the ecosystems we live in.”
At the heart of Marci Zaroff's journey is relentless innovation. With an unwavering dedication to sustainable progress, she serves as the Board Chair and co-founder of the world-renowned Textile Exchange and is a former Board member of the Organic Trade Association and Fashion Trade Association USA. Moreover, she shapes future policies and practices through her service on Advisory Boards, including WVU Fashion, LIU Fashion, and Regenerative Rising.
Her commitment to fostering a responsible future extends to the written word with her first book—"ECOrenaissance: Co-creating a Stylish, Sexy and Sustainable World". Published by Simon & Schuster in August 2018, the book exemplifies Marci's vision of fusing style and sustainability.
Away from the boardroom, the cameras, and the stage, Marci is an artist at heart and a yoga enthusiast, embodying her principles in all aspects of her life. Mother/Step-mother of five eco-conscious millennials and wife to her ecopreneur husband, Eric Schnell, she fosters a green ethos in her New York City, Pennsylvania, and Costa Rica homes.
“The ECOrenaissance movement is not about making fashion sustainable; it’s about making sustainability fashionable.”
ECOFASHION:
REINVENTING STYLE WITH A GREEN THREAD
In 1995, Marci breathed life into the term "ECOfashion," masterfully weaving together the strands of ecology and fashion ~Styling the world of change, while changing the world of style. Today, this green movement teeters on the brink of a transformative surge.
ECOLYPTUS:
THE FABRIC OF A GREENER FUTURE
Meet ECOlyptus, a textile spun from sustainably farmed eucalyptus trees—an unending source of eco-conscious material. Unlike other plant-based textiles like rayon or bamboo, ECOlyptus undergoes a unique, non-toxic process involving recycled solvents to extract its fibers. This procedure operates in a closed-loop system, ensuring no byproduct goes to waste. You may also know it as TENCEL™ Lyocell, a carbon-zero material that's as soft as it is strong and sustainable. ECOlyptus sits at the heart of fabric innovation, redefining the fabric of the fashion world.
ECORENAISSANCE:
A REBIRTH OF CONSCIOUS HUMANITY
ECOrenaissance embodies a new dawn for humanity—a movement sparking positive change through the lens of redesign, uncompromising in its commitment to human and environmental well-being. We are on the cusp of a consciousness revolution where creativity, collaboration, community, and connection are the new cultural currency. ECOrenaissance is not only a philosophy but also the title of Marci's debut book published in 2018, embodying her enduring commitment to a stylish and sustainable world.
