cutest little video ever.

I got to sport my beautiful horn ring by Lisa Linhardt and a cuff by a.d. schwarz along with my Bird dress.

I’m so proud of Lisa!!!!

Lisa’s thousand watt smile. She works with artisans around the world to create beautifully sophisticated jewelry.

A small sampling of Lisa work made from sustainable woods, tagua nuts, and horn.

The campaign for Linhardt Design. Rinze is so talented, isn’t he?

I joined Lisa Linhardt to celebrate her 1 year anniversary of her design studio, a beautiful accessories boutique celebrating the best in modern artisanal jewelry. In addition to Lisa’s signature pieces we launched Allan’s line, a.d. schwarz, and the presentation was just exquisite! She should have an e-commerce site up soon and if you want to view the full campaign we shot of her collection, check it out here. 

It is often the people who are closest to us that get thanked the least. Maybe because we always feel that they’re “there for us” or at least present in our spirits. Many of those people are on my mind tonight…a build-up of reflective thought over the last few months. I’d like to acknowledge some of those people here, in a public space and on my personal blog - because perhaps it will make you reflect upon those that are important to you.

This is just a small snapshot of individuals who are near and dear to my heart - people who I have shared many laughs, smiles and personal thoughts with. There are many more that are yet unnamed but I will eventually share.  All of the people below have inspired me, supported my passion and encouraged me in my daily life and work, which is the most priceless gift any one can ever offer a person. Thank you. 

Tom Eisner: For always inspiring me with his words and vision, encouraging me to dance to my own drummer and never letting me forget why I love nature. 

My grandfather: For teaching me that you should never lose your sense of humor no matter what you go through.

Barbara Bedford: For teaching me to be a strong woman with conviction and for allowing me to truly spread my wings.

Cole Gilbert: For allowing me to know it’s O.K. to get excited about little things: Like a bug with a bubble on it’s butt - and to dive right in when you find one! Oh yes, and that some people can make Hawaiian shirts look good.

Tom Gavin: For always teaching me that it’s important to have light, love and laughter in all that you do.

I traveled to Sydney, Australia before Greenfest in Brisbane to check out their sustainable style scene. If you are in Sydney, you must stop by my friend Rachel’s shop, Bird who is also in the pages of my book Style, Naturally. Just a couple years ago she was still very small but now she’s expanded into two shops and is in just about 100 retail locations.

Even if you are not in the shopping mood, you’ll at least stare in wide-eyed wonder of the store’s magical landscape of whimsical printed organic clothes, linens and other novelties. I was most certain that some nymph or naiad would stretch its tiny limbs and work its way out of her printed fabrics and alight on my shoulder. Or at least a fairy or two. Regardless, some flight of fancy must have come over me because I fell under a spell that resulted in a more-than robust credit card bill! Just check out some of the ambiance below.

My next stop was at Screenhuas where I met Steve Woods. He works on the lost art of serigraphy, doing hand-print screenprinting for many fashion houses and local Australian designers. He uses more environmentally-responsible print dyes that can be used on anything from undergarments to baby clothes. 

Flights of fancy at BirdTextile

Tour of Screenhaus

Jasmin Lill

June 2009 - Courier Times - “She’s more than a model with a cause”

She’s been dubbed “The Eco-Model” but Summer Rayne Oakes is much more than just a pretty face.  

Oakes has been compared to environmental activist Al Gore, and will speak at the second annual Greenfest this weekend at Brisbane’s City Botanic Garderns. “I don’t necessarily just call myself a model, because it diminishes the point of what I’m trying to bring across,” she said.

“I hated the term [Eco-Model] first because you want people to take you seriously and my background is in environmental science and sustainable development. 

Oakes will only work with environmentally- and socially-relevant companies, designers and programs, which often use her [not only as a model/spokesperson] but also as a sustainability strategist. 

“I didn’t want people to reduce it to ‘Oh she just wears eco-clothes,’ because that’s not what it is all about,” Oakes said.

The American model also hosts shows on Discovery Channel’s, Planet Green network, and is now the sustainability strategist and face of a U.S. shoe brand that launched a line of more sustainable shoes [zoe&zac]. 

“It’s not as if I’m going on casting calls like most girls do,” she said.

“It’s oftentimes speaking with the CEOs, Presidents or founders of companies on a business level.” 

Oakes says the environment is her passion.

“The environment defines my work and is who I am,” she said. “I’m happy I’ve been able to trailblaze a new career.”

A couple weeks ago now I headed to Brisbane’s Courier Mail for Sunday’s sustainable style feature and a bit of an interview. Bianca, Colman’s daughter from Greenfest, was totally cool and helped out on the set. Australia has the beginnings of some great sustainable fashion labels including Bird Textile (have a bunch of Rachel’s stuff - wait till you see the video of her shop in Sydney!), Sosume (has a wide-selection of buttery soft, papery thin tees that just hug the body);  Gorman’s organic cotton collection; Cylk (terrific silky dresses); Pure Pod (cute print tees); and a number of others.

Check out the feature here and some behind-the-scenes below.

And of course the newspaper editorials!