From Environmental Scientist & Entomologist to Eco-Model
Summer Rayne Oakes was researching toxins in sewage sludge, identifying aquatic insects, rocking n’ rolling in rainforests, and mapping invasive species when she was struck with the idea that the fashion industry might be a good venue to disseminate environmental awareness.
Oakes is now a model-activist, correspondent on Discovery Network’s Planet Green, author of bestselling style guide Style, Naturally (Chronicle, 2009), and Editor-at-Large of ABOVE Magazine. As brand ambassador and sustainability strategist for both Portico Home and Spa, and Payless ShoeSource’s zoe&zac line, her work keeps her busy on and off camera, advising and consulting on various aspects of design, production and practice.
She is also Founder of SRO, LLC and the Co-founder/CEO of Source4Style – a B2B marketplace that allows designers – both fashion and interior – to search, compare and purchase more sustainable materials from around the world.
Vanity Fair has named Oakes a “Global Citizen,” Outside called her one of the “Top Environmental Activists,” CNN hailed her as a “Young Person Who Rocks,” Glamour anointed her “70 Women of Green,” Cosmopolitan awarded her the “Fun, Fearless Female” Award, AMICA named her one of the “Top 20 Trendsetters under 40,” and CNBC named her one of the “Top 10 Green Entrepreneurs of 2010.”
Summer Rayne is a graduate of Cornell University with degrees in Environmental Science and Entomology and is a PCCW Women’s Research Scholar, Udall environmental scholar, National Wildlife Federation Fellow, and PERC Environmental Fellow. She works internationally on a range of environmental programs, mainly related to sustainable development and design and reforestation and youth action. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her troop of exotic insects.
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