Podcast Summary: Amber Valletta – ‘Do What You Love. Serve a Higher Purpose.’

Podcast: The Business of Fashion Podcast
Host: Imran Amed
Guest: Amber Valletta
Date: November 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with supermodel, actress, and environmental activist Amber Valletta. Host Imran Amed traces her journey from a childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma to international fashion stardom, discusses the personal transformation she experienced through sobriety, and explores her commitment to environmental advocacy—culminating in her appointment as a United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador. Amber shares insights on resilience, purpose, and how the fashion industry must change to become more sustainable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life in Tulsa, Oklahoma (02:36–05:20)

• Amber describes a childhood steeped in nature on her grandparents’ farm outside Tulsa, shaping her imagination and connection to the land.
• "We would run from snakes and catch crawdads. … We drank the creek water, which we probably shouldn’t have, but we were fine." (03:40, Amber)
• Her mother's mantra—“Go outside and use your imagination”—fostered creativity and resilience before the digital age.

2. Entering the Fashion Industry (05:22–09:12)

• Modeling began serendipitously at age 15 through a local agency. She recalls initial skepticism and humor at early modeling classes.
  • "They taught us to mannequin model. … Kind of weird and strange." (06:54, Amber)
• Her first significant experience in Milan at 15 opened her eyes to a wider world, offset by homesickness and isolation later on.

3. Navigating Independence & the Fashion Capitals (09:12–13:00)

• Amber reflects on leaving home at 17, living alone in Milan and Paris, and the adult demands placed on young models.
  • “Fashion is a grown up world. … You are put in an adult world and expected to behave and to work and to be a professional.” (11:48, Amber)
• She emphasizes the lack of support for young models, making the early years “precarious”.

4. Learning the Craft and Breakthrough Moments (13:00–18:46)

• Modeling “clicked” for Amber through observation, improvisation, and absorbing lessons from industry giants.
  • “No one taught me. I just started figuring it out. You look, you watch, you listen, you observe.” (13:49, Amber)
• Key career turning points:
  • Cutting her hair into a pixie cut catalyzed a new phase in her image and demand.
  • Living with model Shalom Harlow gave her a sense of sisterhood and healthy competition.
• Major moments like opening the Tom Ford Gucci show stand out:
  • "It was probably one of the few times I've had that adrenaline rush... That spotlight came on and boom. It was like, wow." (18:19, Amber)

5. The Disconnection and Struggles with Excess (19:41–23:23)

• Amber speaks candidly about feeling disconnected from herself and her roots as success brought excess and loneliness.
  • “There was a big disconnect for me. ... Community can get distorted and fashion is very political.” (20:18, Amber)
• Coping mechanisms led to substance abuse, which she recognizes now as a response to insecurity and pressure.

6. Sobriety and Personal Transformation (23:23–26:04)

• Amber’s breakthrough moment came at 25 while walking home in New York—a “spiritual experience” leading to sobriety.
  • "I was just sort of sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I hit a bottom. … I was like, I don't want to die. ... And I haven't had a drink or a drug since." (24:02, Amber)
• She credits her sustained sobriety to community:
  • “Community of people … is actually the foundation and the bedrock, the best part of who I am.” (25:17, Amber)

7. Career Diversification: Motherhood and Activism (29:55–31:47)

• Post-sobriety, Amber became a mother, moved to California, started acting, and engaged deeply with environmental activism via the NRDC.
• She describes this transition as rediscovering and integrating suppressed facets of herself.

8. Returning to Fashion—A Changed Industry (31:47–34:36)

• Upon returning after a decade, Amber finds fashion’s landscape transformed: larger productions, rise of fast fashion, and a ballooning industry ecosystem.
• Encouraged by her partner, Teddy Charles, Amber reintegrates into fashion—this time determined to merge her values with her work.
  • “If I’m going to step back into fashion, which I missed, why can’t I bring all of myself to it?” (34:12, Amber)

9. Modeling with Wisdom and Purpose (35:03–38:18)

• Now, Amber chooses projects carefully, prioritizes professionalism, gratitude, and self-care, and feels proud to represent women over 50.
  • “I feel tremendously blessed… to be able to show that this is what 50 looks like… We can still be creative and sexy and beautiful and have fun.” (36:00, Amber)
• Her focus: empowering women, mentoring the next generation, and using her platform for social good.

10. United Nations Environmental Program & The Industry’s Impact (38:18–43:43)

• As a newly appointed UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, Amber explains their focus on climate change, biodiversity, and pollution.
  • “They have specifically targeted fashion and textile industry as being one of the biggest polluters… I am really obliged to share the numbers and the data because it is staggering.” (40:53, Amber)
• She critiques the industry’s reluctance to adopt sustainable practices and advocates for collective investment in supply chain decarbonization and circularity:
  • “We need all hands on deck. We need collaboration… If it doesn’t change, we’re going to implode on ourselves.” (43:03, Amber)

11. Reflections on Fulfillment, Longevity, and Joy (43:57–45:54)

• On sustaining fulfillment:
  • “Do what you love, serve a higher purpose, and enjoy the moment.” (44:10, Amber)
• On keeping excitement alive:
  • “I don’t make my life all about me. I make it about other people too, and connection and love. And when you have that, it’s so much more enjoyable.” (45:32, Amber)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Lessons:
  “My mom would say to me, go outside and use your imagination.” (04:46, Amber)

• On Modeling’s Demands:
  “Fashion is a grown up world. … You are put in an adult world and expected to behave and to work and to be a professional.” (11:48, Amber)

• On the Tom Ford Gucci Show:
  "That spotlight came on and boom. It was like, wow." (18:19, Amber)

• On Struggling with Success:
  “Community can get distorted and fashion is very political. … There was a split for me.” (20:18, Amber)

• On Sobriety:
  “I was just sort of sick and tired of being sick and tired... I was like, 'I don't want to die.’” (24:02, Amber)

• On Career Longevity:
  “I feel tremendously blessed… to be able to show that this is what 50 looks like.” (36:00, Amber)

• On Industry Change:
  “We need all hands on deck. We need collaboration.” (43:03, Amber)

• On Fulfillment:
  “Do what you love, serve a higher purpose, and enjoy the moment.” (44:10, Amber)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Childhood in Tulsa: 02:36–05:20
• Modeling Beginnings: 05:22–09:12
• Life as a Young Model Abroad: 09:12–13:00
• Learning & Breakthroughs in Fashion: 13:00–18:46
• Disconnect & Excess: 19:41–23:23
• Sobriety & Community: 23:23–26:04
• Motherhood & Activism: 29:55–31:47
• Industry Changes & Return: 31:47–34:36
• Modeling with Purpose: 35:03–38:18
• UNEP & Sustainability: 38:18–43:43
• Advice & Reflections: 43:57–45:54

Conclusion

Amber Valletta’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. From Oklahoma farm girl to fashion icon and now environmentalist and advocate, her journey illustrates the power of staying grounded, serving something beyond oneself, and using one’s platform for positive change—even in an industry ripe for transformation.