When Jessica Lane stepped onto the Miss Earth 2024 stage in the Philippines last November, wearing an ethereal gown made entirely from upcycled silk and recycled glass beads, she wasn’t just competing for a crown — she was declaring a movement.

The 21-year-old Australian beauty’s victory wasn’t only a win for her country; it was a triumph for a new kind of pageantry — one where eco-consciousness takes center stage, and fashion becomes a form of activism.

Fashion with a conscience

“Beauty should not come at the cost of Mother Earth,” Jessica declared shortly after her coronation. “While fast fashion may be a trend, there’s no individuality to it — everyone ends up looking the same. Don’t keep up with celebrity fashion. Recycle prior and pre-loved items.”

Her words reflected a deep understanding of sustainability and self-expression — two values that have defined her reign. As a self-proclaimed history buff, Jessica often draws inspiration from the past, blending historical aesthetics with eco-conscious design.

“I love to dress up. I’ve always been fascinated with how figures like Marie Antoinette used fashion as identity and power. But now, I use it as a statement — one that advocates for reuse, creativity, and compassion.”

Her advocacy for sustainable fashion goes beyond words. Early in her journey, she made a bold gesture — cutting her long hair and selling it to benefit leukemia patients. “I have my mind and heart in the right place,” she said. “Fashion is about feeling beautiful — but it should also make the world feel better.”

A voice for the Earth

Before donning the Miss Earth crown, Jessica was already known in her home country for her deep compassion for animals. Growing up in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she spent her teenage years volunteering at the Australia Zoo, where her passion for marine and wildlife preservation first began.

“I’ve always felt most alive near the ocean,” she shared. “Protecting marine life, especially cetaceans caught in nets, became personal to me. These creatures deserve freedom, and it’s our duty to make sure they thrive.”

Her environmental mission has since expanded globally. As Miss Earth, Jessica has worked with conservation groups and participated in projects that address plastic pollution, waste reduction, and ecosystem rehabilitation. Her campaign — Fashion with a Future — encourages young designers to merge style with sustainability.

“People call us beauty queens every day. But I don’t just want to be seen — I want to be heard. I want to be a voice for the planet,” she said. “Having this platform for sustainable fashion and marine life protection is such an incredible honor.”

From history buff 

to Earth Queen

Born on 5 October 2002, in Melbourne and raised in the Sunshine Coast, Jessica May Lane comes from Irish descent and currently studies Journalism and Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Her road to the Miss Earth crown began with a steady rise through Australia’s pageant ranks. She first made waves as a finalist at Miss World Australia 2023, before capturing the Miss Earth Australia 2024 crown in Sydney on August 11, 2024 — sweeping several special awards including Best in Swimwear, Miss Photogenic, Miss Social Media, Miss Charity and StarCentral’s Choice.

Her eloquence, intellect, and environmental advocacy made her a standout candidate when she represented Australia at the Miss Earth 2024 competition at Okada Manila, where she bested 75 other delegates to become the first Australian Miss Earth winner in history.

Her win made Australia the sixth country to achieve crowns across all Big Four beauty pageants — Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth — officially joining the ranks of pageant powerhouses like the Philippines, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the USA.

A reign rooted in purpose

Since her coronation, Jessica has proven to be one of the most active Miss Earth queens in recent years. Her travels have taken her across continents — from Vietnam and Indonesia to Belgium, Nigeria, the UK, Reunion Island and the United States — championing environmental awareness at every stop.

In January 2025, she was a featured speaker at a Youth Sustainability Conference in Indonesia, co-hosted by the Danish Embassy and the United Nations Association, where she spoke passionately about the fashion industry’s carbon footprint. Later that month, she joined Cebu’s Sinulog Festival as a guest of honor, engaging with students in a mangrove storytelling session.

“Every appearance, every handshake, every school visit reminds me why this title matters,” Jessica shared. “It’s not about glamour; it’s about giving the next generation hope and tools to make change.”

Australia’s eco-queen 

comes home

Returning to the Land Down Under after her global duties, Jessica received a royal homecoming, where she was celebrated not only as a beauty queen but as a national inspiration.

Her homecoming speech was simple but powerful:

“I left as a dreamer and came home as a believer — in what people can achieve when they care enough to act. The Miss Earth crown is not just mine; it belongs to everyone fighting for our planet.”

Legacy of a green queen

As Jessica Lane prepares to pass on her crown at the upcoming Miss Earth 2025 pageant, her reign will be remembered for redefining what beauty can mean — elegance with empathy, fashion with purpose, and advocacy with authenticity.

She has shown that a gown made from recycled fabric can command the same applause as couture — and that the truest form of beauty is the one that gives back to the Earth.

“The future of fashion — and of pageantry — is green,” Jessica said with a smile. “And that’s the kind of trend I’ll never stop fighting for.”