A Glimpse of Amanda Hearst and Hassan Pierre, Co-Founders of Maison de Mode

Interview

Apr 30

Earlier this year, Jordan Rhodes and Khaki Wennstrom of Glimpse were lucky to attend a Vogue Magazine luncheon on sustainability at Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood. There they met Amanda Hearst and Hassan Pierre, co-founders of sustainable fashion site Maison de Mode, and were immediately impressed by their commitment to ethical fashion, and especially by their interest in artisanal, fair trade goods which is similar to Glimpse’s own ethos in regards to our forthcoming travel goods.

Amanda and Hassan first met at a showroom viewing for Hassan’s former line, Way it Should Be.

Way It Should Be, was a collection of socially-conscious couture. At the time, Amanda was an associate fashion editor at Marie Claire who was passionate about the environment and fashion, and specifically, the interrelation of the two. She used her position to support sustainable fashion brands, and after the two met, they realized their similar interests could serve a greater purpose. Soon after, Maison de Mode was born, with the name symbolizing the vision they share when it comes to fashion and sustainability. After first launching as a pop up in an old theater at Art Basel, the concept quickly grew into the online retail phenomenon it is today, representing ethical brands from all over the world. When we asked what makes Amanda and Hassan work so perfectly together, especially with Amanda residing in Los Angeles, and Hassan in Miami, they replied with “we balance out each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Teamwork makes the dream work!"

The company is now gearing up for its Series A funding round, which will be used to expand the platform's existing efforts, alongside continued expansion of the consulting arm of the company, Mode Communications. This piece specializes in global brand-building and communications, all with a focus on sustainability in media, tech, talent, food, and fashion.

We are so excited to see what this incredible pair has in store for the future, and grateful for their passion and commitment to sustainability. Below, we get a glimpse of Amanda and Hassan individually, along with their favorite places, brands, and what they can’t travel without.

A GLIMPSE OF AMANDA

Besides fashion, you have a great passion for animals and served on the board of the HSUS. What has this experience given you in regards to animal welfare? To our environment in general?

I was on the HSUS board for 3 years, worked for the organization for 10 years, and even founded their next gen group Humane Generation! So I learned so much about animal welfare and philanthropy from them, and they are the reason why I felt confident enough to start my own non-profit. I would say the most impactful thing I learned was that animals, the environment and humans are so interconnected that we need to protect all of them to keep the whole system healthy.

Your family loves to travel together. Can you share some of your most memorable experiences and what you hope to share with Peter and your new little girl on the way?

While family travels during the first half of my life took us throughout Asia, we have spent almost all our family vacationYou also started a nonprofit called Well Beings whose focus right now is the Bolivian Amazon! So much destruction there in 2019, 13 million acres destroyed and 2 million animals by man! I see Well Being supports an animal sanctuary there called Senda Verde! You have such a caring heart for earth's waters and animals, where does this come from? Did this love for our Mother Earth and its inhabitants lead you to form Maison de Mode?

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT! Even though I grew up in Manhattan, we always had animals in our apartment and my mom was always taking us to the country. So, yes, maybe it was my upbringing that sort of laid the groundwork for the work I do now in animal welfare and conservation. I remember when I graduated college and was starting to look for a job, I was immediately drawn to sustainable fashion. And that was over 10 years ago, so “ethical fashion” was definitely not a mainstream concept! But I was just fascinated by the stories behind the brands - who made clothing, where did it come from…and then the impact that fashion has on communities, wildlife and the environment. This was the part of the fashion industry that interested me most - and thankfully there are so many people now who feel the same way!

What requirements of sustainability do the products need to hold to be featured on Maison de Mode?

At Maison de Mode, we define “sustainable fashion” as fashion that is conscious of its social and environmental imact. So all our brands must fit into that definition. Of course, no company is 100% perfect but we like to highlight the GOOD that a sustainable brand is doing and make sure that our consumers understand why a certain brand is sustainable. So, we offer informed brand and product bios and have “sustainability icons” that indicate how the brand is ethical. Each carefully selected Maison de Mode product adheres to two or more of the standards determined by that set of ‘sustainability icons': Recycled, Organic, Made In USA, Artisanal, Cruelty Free, Fair Trade, Charitable, Women Owned, BIPOC Founded and Positive Luxury’s Butterfly Mark.

Artisan products also seem to be an important piece to your brand. Tell me about that?

Definitely. As I said before, sustainable fashion is not just about the environment, it’s also about the people that make our clothes and the communities impacted by clothing production. The social element is HUGE and so we are big supporters of artisan-made fashion. This type of handmade craft is the antithesis of “fast fashion”, and by supporting these often smaller enterprises, you support artisan communities and traditional craft.

Some of the brands you feature actually provide sustainable livelihoods and free education! Is it important for the brands you carry to be active like that?

Yes! If a brand is “sustainable”, we believe that it must be taking into account the environmental and social issues associated with their company. So yes, we have tons of brands that have incredibly interesting, progressive and socially-conscious stories. One example is Sarah’s Bag, a sustainable company that hires formerly incarcerated women in Lebanon and trains them to create beautiful handbags and accessories.

What is the mission statement for Maison de Mode? It really seems to have such a beautifully pure environmental and sustainable vision!

Ultimately, our mission is to further the sustainable fashion movement by supporting brands that are doing good and by encouraging brands who want to do better. We truly believe that the future of fashion is sustainable, and we are just trying to do our part to make this happen!

FAVORITE PLACES

City? Los Angeles

Country? Norway

Hotel? San Ysidro Ranch

Destination with significant other? Six Senses in the Maldives (it’s where we got engaged)

Restaurant? Scott’s in London

Solo destination? Sha Wellness Center

Boutique? Maison de Mode!

Home decor store? 1st dibs

Amanda at Six Sense Resorts in the Maldives

TRAVEL STYLE

Uniform? Mate the Label sweatshirt and pants

Accessories? Shashi jewelry, Stella Mccartney bag

Skincare on board? Dr. Barbara Sturm face lotion

Travel carry-on? Mar y Sol tote

Luggage? Paravel

Handbag for sightseeing? Stella Mccartney

Packing tips? Wear your heaviest sweater, coat and shoes so you have more room in your suitcase. Also plan your outfits before the trip so you don’t overpack!