A class act
When it comes to crushing your goals, Gabrielle Nevaeh is in a league of her own. At only 20 years old, she is already an accomplished actress, voice-over artist, and producer, with roles that include Nickelodeon’s reboot of All That, Monster High, and Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai. She’s also earned acclaim as the star of That Girl Lay Lay, notably the first Nickelodeon show to feature two Black female leads.
When it comes to her dynamic resume, the multi-hyphenate star says she feels fortunate to have a diverse career.
“I think that diversity challenges me in ways that I think any actor should be challenged. I enjoy walking into a project and not really knowing if I have it in my toolbox to completely fulfill the job,” says Nevaeh. “But trying to figure out how to do that pushes my boundaries and helps me grow as an artist.”
This year, Nevaeh is adding another feather to her cap by making her Broadway debut in Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The actress plays the original character Patty Newby in the prequel to the hit Netflix show, set two decades before the first season of the series.
While she’s certainly making a name for herself on screen and stage, Nevaeh is also carving out a place for herself in another realm—sustainable fashion.
The fast and the furious
Whether you do your shopping online or in store, it’s never been easier to stock your closet with cheap garments. In fact, research has shown that more than 1 billion garments are manufactured each year, a figure that has doubled since the year 2000.
Fast fashion has had an undeniable impact on culture, but its impact on the environment is just as undeniable. While consumers undoubtedly appreciate the convenience of refreshing their wardrobe whenever the mood hits, fast fashion has a clear dark side.
According to research from the Macarthur Foundation, fast fashion is responsible for producing 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 each year, as well as using 98 million tonnes of non-renewable resources annually.
Studies show that in the US alone, 34 billion pounds of textiles are thrown away every year. The EPA has estimated that the recycling rate for clothing and footwear is only 13 percent—less than the rate for other textiles like sheets and pillowcases. Many of the textiles that are thrown away end up in landfills, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, contaminate water sources, and have negative health impacts for those living nearby, which is all the more tragic considering that hazardous waste sites tend are often located in minority and low-income areas.
Fast fashion also takes a human toll, with many contending that workers in the global garment industry face health issues and unfair wages.
The house that Nevaeh built
For the past few years, Nevaeh has been exploring how fast fashion affects the environment, and what she can do to help. As someone who needed to dress up for events like red carpets and media appearances, Nevaeh had an “ah-ha” moment when she saw the racks of clothing that had accumulated in her apartment, and what she could do to be part of the solution. “For me, it’s about taking a look in the mirror and trying to find a way to make a positive impact on the Earth,” she says.
That self-reflection resulted in The House of GNG, a sustainable clothing line that creates one-of-a-kind garments repurposed from pre-loved clothing, all imbued with a sense of Nevaeh’s signature modern style. Handcrafted in Los Angeles, Nevaeh’s creations are full of vibrant colors and energetic patterns, proving that investing in sustainable clothing doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style.
As an actress, Nevaeh has certainly become a pro at finding her own voice. In her sustainability journey, she is lending that voice out and leaning into the power of community to broaden her reach.
In 2024, she spoke at the IMPACT Summit hosted by the Environmental Media Association, a nonprofit organization devoted to “promoting environmental action and innovation through storytelling.” She credits the organization for helping her stay informed, spreading the message that change is possible when we work together as a community and a culture.
Play tag
When it comes to fast fashion offenders, not all clothing is created equal. Here are some of the best and worst choices when trying to buy better.
| Best | Worst |
|---|---|
| Linen ✓ | Polyester ✗ |
| Tencel ✓ | Nylon ✗ |
| Hemp ✓ | Cotton ✗ |
Generational talent
Thankfully, Nevaeh is part of a growing movement of Gen Z consumers that are putting sustainability first when it comes to fashion. According to one report, 62 percent of Gen Z shoppers prefer to buy from sustainable brands, with 73 percent saying that they are willing to pay more for sustainable options.
As a member of a generation that has grown up with a significant environmental weight on their shoulders, Nevaeh has learned valuable coping skills from the pressure of navigating life as a child actor. She credits her family and her faith for keeping herself grounded.
When it comes to the ever-present force that is social media, she says that “it can be a great tool to connect and educate yourself, but I try and really pay attention to how it makes me feel so I can stay present.”
“I think it’s easy for people my age to see things as black and white—either they know a lot about it, or nothing at all,” she says. When it comes to getting informed and making smart changes for sustainability, she notes that “living a more sustainable life is like that phrase ‘eating an elephant’—you have to go one bite at a time. It’s ok to give yourself grace.”
Nevaeh notes that even small changes can make a real difference. (At the very least she implores her peers to “please, wear your clothes more than once!”) From clothing swaps to making simple adjustments like cutting the sleeves off a jacket to make a vest, she assures her fans that sustainable clothing can be not just a personal expression, but a reminder of your personal power.
The average American shopper throws away 81 pounds of clothing a year. Globally, less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing, representing a loss of more than USD 100 billion worth of materials each year.
Made to last
Whether it’s growing her career, her fashion line, or her dedication to helping her community make more sustainable choices, Nevaeh has proven that she has earned her role in any stage she finds herself on.
“Part of being an actor is seeking outside validation, and I’ve been working to counterbalance that, because it’s not a wonderful trait to have as a human being,” she says. “But my work has given me a sense of security in myself and a knowledge that I am what I think I am. I am capable. I am strong. I know that I am enough, and I think that that’s something beautiful that I’ve gained through my own journey.”
A conscious closet
Making sustainable choices doesn’t have to be a drag. Check out Gabrielle’s suggestions for easy ways to go green:
Repurpose what you own
Look into Earth-friendly dyes, play with lengths and fits, and even combine pieces together for new looks you can feel good about.
Challenge yourself
Gabrielle recommends a simple “30 days with no new clothes” challenge to reframe the way you shop!
Get your friends involved
Gabrielle likes to make sure her wardrobe never gets stale without buying anything new by organizing clothing swaps with friends.
Do your Research
In addition to her work with the Environmental Media Association, Gabrielle recommends Remake resource center.
This article was originally published in the July/August 2025 issue of alive magazine (US edition).
