©2007-2010 Summer Rayne Oakes | All Rights Reserved
click on photos to enlarge Summer Rayne writes about fashion’s “skinny debate,” her personal story, other models’ struggles, and the inertia and progress on the global front.
same model, different year. From glamour.com.
Summer Rayne Oakes and Lucire Magazine launch an updated version of Behind the Label, the eco-conscious editorial that was released in September 2005. The editorial will still feature the sustainable style brands in Summer’s closet, but will include a feature article that connects the fashion to popular global or societal topics in support of the magazine’s new direction. In the February/March issue, Oakes addresses a woman’s inner beauty and the power of seduction. Behind the Label will also be accompanied by a page of ethical and eco-conscious products + ideas associated with the theme of the editorial.
Lucire Magazine has print distribution throughout New Zealand, Australia and Romania. It is available via subscription through many other countries. Lucire and Behind the Label are syndicated through the Persuader blog and found online at behindthelabel.net and lucire.com.
Behind the Label (behind-the-scenes):
I took a little getaway to California, which provided a lot of “firsts” for me. I stopped at a local hot spring in Ukiah and later found myself sweaty-palmed in a VW hugging tight switchbacks down towards California’s Redwoods. It is there where I happened upon Montgomery Woods, which is one of the most remote old growth forests in California. The trees were massive and it was my first time that I set foot into the West Coast’s old growth forests. The ecosystem was beyond breathtaking. It is the scene where children’s fairy tales and prehistoric musings are borne.
After my day hike in Montogomery, I took the road back down to San Francisco only to catch a next-day flight to Los Angeles. I hubbed from there to Joshua Tree. A photographer notified me to keep a lookout for the acres of windmills on the road to the park. I dozed off for much of the trip, only to be awakened just in time to see the windmills reveal their graceful and magnificent stilt-like frames over the horizon. Pretty soon they surrounded the car on all sides and I snapped a few quick photos with my cell phone cam.
Joshua Tree was grand. The alienesque landscape provided a stellar background for our shoot. I cannot take credit for the first photo below. I absconded it from the web and give Ovidiu Predescu credit. (I took the two less impressive photos below with my handy cell phone). To really experience Joshua Tree, however, you must go. If I were brave enough, perhaps I’d try scaling the rocks like so many of the rock climbers that passed through the area. I’m sure they have the dual pleasure of the finest views and adrenaline highs the park has to offer.
Joshua Trees are a member of the yucca family. The name Joshua tree was given by a band of Mormons who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. The tree’s unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky. 
By far one of the coolest experiences was my drive in the all-electric Tango Car. President Rick Woodbury brought it down and Norman (the photographer) and I took it for a spin [and at way too high of speeds for my blood]. I would like to confirm to everyone that it does indeed go from 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds. More importantly, however, its a great zero-emission, all electric vehicle. I took a shot of Ranger Don Roberts and friend next to the car. And yes, everyone thought it was the coolest thing ever.
Biking in Zambia with World Bicycle Relief (above) and the Critical Mass Ride which happens every [last] Friday of every month in San Francisco – here again, shot with my handy cell phone (below). Quite a spectacle to see and participate in!
Ed Begley was there too, giving a bit more star-power to the mix. Denis Hayes, however, was by far the most entertaining of the mix. Peter Darbee, the Chairman, CEO and President of PG&E Corporation had some very progressive views on how to pressure our government towards energy efficiency…Draper blathered way too much about the Tesla.
snapped some fuzzy friends at the Commonwealth Club