Sometimes the most powerful transformations begin with the smallest steps. Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of health, wellness, and sustainability — where seemingly minor choices can ripple outward into lasting impact. For Arizona Muse, model-turned-activist, this philosophy isn’t just a personal mantra. It’s the foundation of her life’s work.
For more than a decade, Muse has been immersed in understanding the hidden systems behind the fashion and beauty industries — industries she knows intimately from her years on runways and in front of the camera. While most people see a finished product, Muse sees the long and often invisible chain of sourcing, processing, and production that brings those items into our daily lives. Her curiosity grew into a mission: to uncover the environmental cost of these practices and push for better alternatives.
“It’s been a journey of constant learning,” Muse explains. “I wanted to understand where materials come from, how they’re grown, and what that means for the earth. It’s a lot of work, but once you see the bigger picture, you can’t unsee it.”
From Runway to Advocacy
Although her career began in modeling, Muse has never let the glamour distract her from deeper purpose. Today, she balances motherhood with a relentless commitment to sustainability. In recent years, she launched DIRT, a charity dedicated to growing and processing fashion’s raw materials biodynamically — a farming method that treats soil and ecosystems as living, interconnected organisms.
Her latest role marks another milestone: becoming Clarins’ first Global CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Advocate. The French skincare brand, known for its plant-based formulations, has been embedding sustainability into its DNA, and Muse’s appointment feels like a natural extension of its mission.
“I love what I’ve been able to build off the stepping stone of modeling,” Muse reflects. “I still model, and I’m grateful for that career, but it doesn’t feed my soul in the way this advocacy work does.”
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values
Muse’s partnership with Clarins also carries a personal layer of meaning. She first crossed paths with Virginie Courtin, now the brand’s Managing Director, over 14 years ago in Paris. Both were just starting their careers, unaware of the ways their paths would align in the future.
“Now to reconnect with Virginie over our shared passion is amazing,” Muse says. “I’m in awe of how she’s built sustainability into Clarins’ DNA from the moment she arrived. That leadership makes a difference.”
Her point underscores a critical truth: sustainability efforts thrive when they are driven from the top down. Muse has often encountered companies where sustainability teams are passionate but undercut by executives reluctant to prioritize long-term environmental goals over short-term profit. “That isn’t the case at Clarins,” she adds. “The commitment is coming straight from Virginie. And that’s not just impressive — it’s transformative.”
Small Changes, Lasting Impact
Muse knows firsthand that the concept of sustainability can feel overwhelming. Supply chains are complex, environmental challenges are vast, and individual choices can feel insignificant. Yet she insists that even the smallest step — swapping one product, questioning one source, or supporting one initiative — matters.
“Sustainability isn’t just a word to me anymore,” she says. “It’s how I live my life.”
And that’s the lesson Muse embodies: you don’t have to overhaul everything at once to create change. Whether it’s rethinking a morning routine, learning where materials come from, or simply choosing brands that value transparency, each choice creates momentum.
For Muse, the path from model to activist was paved with these exact incremental shifts — curiosity leading to knowledge, knowledge leading to advocacy, and advocacy leading to action. It’s a cycle she believes anyone can step into.
Redefining Influence
Arizona Muse’s story is also a reminder of how influence can be redefined. The fashion industry once valued her for her image. Now, she uses that platform to spark conversations about the environment, agriculture, and conscious living. Modeling may have given her visibility, but advocacy has given her voice.
And while her work continues to grow in scale, Muse remains rooted in the principle that started it all: small steps can create big change.
“I feel grateful every day that I get to do this work,” she says. “To be part of solutions that make the world healthier for my children, and for future generations — that’s what matters.”
