As we wrap up #EARTHMONTH, a month to be mindful of ways we can help planet Earth, we share with you Aliya Jasmine (@aliyajasmine) our PAPER WOMAN who has been a friend of the brand since 2016.
AJ is a dynamic force in environmental journalism and media production. AJ's journey from MTV News anchor to co-founder of Earth Tones is as inspiring as it is impactful. This Earth month we chatted about her passion projects, life with a newborn, and she shared her invaluable insights about living and working responsibly in today's world.
AJ! What have you been up to this week?
Having a newborn while running a production company means trying to balance motherhood with my work in environmental journalism. It also means very little sleep! From tracking mountain lions in the wild with National Park Service biologists for a documentary I am currently Directing called LionBridge, to laying on the floor at home reading a children’s book about the animal kingdom to my own little cub. It’s been a busy time in my life, but every day has been wild & rewarding!
Tell us about Earth Tones and the work you do there.
I founded my environmentally-focused production company Earth Tones a few years ago with my sister, a Harvard-educated landscape architect. Our mission as a women and BIPOC-led, purpose-driven, media company is to amplify underrepresented voices in the environment. At Earth Tones I wear a lot of hats, but the one that keeps me busiest is as Director/Producer/Writer for several of our TV & film productions.
What are you and the team currently focused on?
Currently, we have several projects on the go, from a Documentary on the race against time to save LA’s mountain lion population, to natural history TV projects in development with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and PBS, to short digital videos for brands. If there’s an environmental story to tell - we’ll tell it!
How would you define your personal style right now? How does your lifestyle or work impact your style?
Laid back meets sophisticated. I’m allllll about comfort these days, with a baby. I have several long cardigans from PAPER LABEL that I basically live in: throwing one over a nightie for a 2am feed, or over a tank and jeans to go over a shot list with my production crew.
Do you have any tips or things you carry with you that you can share on living or shopping more responsibly?
I try to buy mostly second hand, or from sustainable brands that are high quality and will last long. I seek out classic capsule pieces that are timeless and build the structure of your wardrobe so that I don’t end up buying fast fashion pieces that sit there unworn. For my baby, she’s got a completely second-hand wardrobe!
What did you do on earth day this year?
Earth Tones had a big field shoot of the construction on the largest wildlife crossing in the world! Follow my socials for some BTS -- @aliyajasmine.