Michelle Obama wasn’t in the audience, but we thought she might be considering The Fashion Fights Poverty benefit combined two of her favorite subjects: Fashion and Politics. Despite the lack of a fashionable First Lady in the front row, the all-volunteer run FFP kicked off in style with a combination of designers, video and performances to raise money for programs focused on women empowerment and poverty alleviation in developing nations.

I got to flex my co-hosting muscles with D.C.’s beloved Will Thomas from Fox 5.  I have to admit that I crapped out on the after-party but had a chance to enjoy most of the night’s festivities, catch up with some friends from the Summit (hello Mr. Phillipe and Elliott!), as well as good friend – anthropologist and author, Wade Davis. Enjoy the photos!

Hair and makeup artists going to town behind-the-scenes

interview with my co-host, Will Thomas

The eerie purple light at the beginning of the show

Sporting a clingy butterfly-print Gaultier and jamming to my air guitar on the runway

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.”

As you all have read recently, I threw (what I think is my last full-blown book party) in San Francisco this past May 14, 2009. But right after I landed in the beautiful foggy city, I got a text from my friend Max to head over to the Weird Street Faire on 2nd Streets and Hudson for a little crazy, pre-Black Rock City (i.e. Burning Man) affair. “Look for me under the Pepsi Sign,” he said. “I’ll be the tall one with the six inch platform-heeled boots and mesh detailing.” 

Crazy costumes compliments of the Weird Street Faire

a little video compilation of SF in all its weirdness.

I walked one day for a little outdoor- and retail-therapy to the Mission. You may recall the Loomstate for Target wall painting I shot in Brooklyn here. Well, I came across this one somewhere in the Mission…I think it was on Valencia. The painting in Brooklyn was far superior, but it was cool to see these in different cities. Gives the advertising a bit more of a fly vibe. No? 

Flydealists Unite. A painted advert lines the side of a wall in the Mission District of San Francisco.

The Style, Naturally: SF book launch gave me a good opportunity to catch up with some old friends – like sister-designers Angie and Maggie Kim from Oda, a label unlike any other that I’ve seen.

Signing a book for Angie and Maggie from the design label, Oda. 

Their clothes are are a little Shibuya, a little Bedouin, a little fairy princess – and it all just works. I did an amazing photo shoot in their pieces up on the mountain leading to Marin compliments of Braden Summers. Check ‘em out. 

Photos in Oda compliments of Braden Summers.

I was SO happy to see they were still designing and selling their stuff over at The Mission Statement on Valencia and 18th Street. Yah, well truth be told. The day after the party I dropped in them the next day later and did a little splurging. I got an amazing puffy chartreuse silk vest and matching skirt; tea-stained lace dress; and feathered hair piece made from off-cuts of their fabric and feathers that they use. If you’re in SF, definitely check it out. And while you are in the area, be sure to drop in on Selfedge started by Kiya Babzani. 

You can catch a lot of cool fashion finds by independent Bay Area designers in The Mission Statement

With plans to head out to the Philippines this August, I was psyched to see Style, Naturally on the National Book Store’s “Must Read” list. BTW, if anyone has great suggestions of sustainable development programs that I should check out in the Philippines, hit me back here.

We had a spectacular turn-out at the Style, Naturally: LA event at Stella McCartney’s. It was a cool, clear night and the crowd stayed an hour longer…which probably means they were having a good time. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success – and thank you to all my friends who were (and unfortunately weren’t) able to make it. Love you all!

I signed a fair amount of books that night. I tried to make my way to the other side of the party, but was pretty much mobbed to the book corner.

 

A big “Thank You” to all the sponsors who made the event possible!

A ravishing look compliments of Rebecca Liceaga. Dress by Linda Loudermilk; shoes by Charmone; bracelets by a.d. schwarz; rings by Kirsten Muenster and Old Hollywood; necklace by Ombre Claire; cheesy smile compliments of me.

“Look out below!!!!!!!!”

I think Stella McCartney made a few sales that night too.

These all went pretty fast.

Alex and I share a laugh before the party. I’m pretty sure he was saying something inappropriate.

My good friends: Larry Blanford (Director of Photography); Magali Amadei (model and soon-to-be author); and Peggy North (yah, she flies helicopters for movies. That is cool.)

The lovely Susan (Gucci) and her husband David Chokachi (actor)

Alexander, Meghan (X Prize) and friend

Do you recognize that chick? Yes, that’s right. It’s Jan from the Brady Bunch…all grown up!

Jim Morrison (Sexy Hair) totally had me slaving away over there with the pen. Anyway, you gotta check out his new hair care line: Sexy Hair Organics. I was begging him to do a more natural line for awhile! My pestering has paid off! It launched this year.

Magali looking all beautiful. I first met Magali briefly at Cornell like 5 years ago when she came to speak. Small world!

David is all about the Vita Coco! Thanks David, that’s a nice transition into the delectable food and drink we had at the party…Drool…Thank you Akasha, Veev, Vita Coco, Honest Tea…

Darren Moore (Alter Eco) and I looking kinda fierce

..and now not so much!

Having a good laugh with David. And why not? He’s the animation director for The Simpsons. I haven’t seen him in so long – and he filled me in that he just spent the night drawing Krusty the Clown….And that he joined like a 20-person ensemble jazz band. 

Courtney, Rebecca and I chilling. Court shot me for Coco Eco Mag…Rebecca did my hair/makeup for both the mag and the event!

Yah zoe & zac!!!

I love shoes!!!

George owned the joint and filled me in on the 100-year old greenhouse behind the Stella store

I love this series of shots because Alex was clearly misbehaving and we were laughing our asses off.

Ahhhh my lovely Julia Gabella – who graces my book and me with her presence!

Barbara Kramer from Designers & Agents!

Chaz Dean from my fav WEN line

What do you think, Chaz? I should have pinched his ass.

Hey, you gotta tell all the actresses and stylists about sustainable fashion…Hopefully Jessica Pastor (left) will be all over the stuff in Style, Naturally!

I love her with and without those lovely nerd glasses!

Anna Getty was glowing with another bun in the oven!

Baby’s got back!

I’m sure I was writing something brilliant there…

Anna and I had fun with her baby belly

good choice!

The lovely Apple Levy from Green Girls TV was there to capture the night on video.

I was planning to head out to Tennessee after Christmas to catch up with some old friends and hang out with new ones. I guess I was feeling the southern state of mind, because I stopped by the Billy Reid store here in NYC before I left.  It’s not unlike his Alabama store, but definitely not as cool. I mean after all, in AL, you are quite literally walking into his home. Regardless, he had some end-of-year-sales and with Billy, you know you can get high quality-with all of his construction, manufacturing, and detailing done in the states and over in Italy. I picked up a couple dresses and was crushing on the plaids (which are going to be super big these upcoming seasons… Goodbye 80s, Hello 90s). I’m still into those oversized bows around the collar, so I swiped up one of those blouses too.

I stuck around and talked with his business partner as well as the store manager, Maytol, who mentioned that they’re bringing up some bands from TN/AL to perform in store and recently opened the doors to a new Nashville store, which I regretfully admit didn’t get to go see while I was down there. If there is any time in my spring months between book talks and life, I definitely want to head down to Alabama again during “Alabama Adventure Week.” SO MUCH FUN! I haven’t been down there since 2006 when filming Alabama Chanin with Sara and Hamish for a TV pilot, but I yearn to head back out there. I just have to stay away from the mac & cheese, chocolate gravy, buttered biscuits, and sweet tea. That stuff will kill ya!

Anyway, I rocked out my best TN digs with Billy Reid’s Made in the USA plaid button down; John Patrick Organic vegetable-tanned jacket; Terra Plana recycled/veggie-tanned boots; Serfontaine organic cotton blue jeans from Kaight; alpaca-acai seed bracelet; bottom necklace a vintage recreation by The Dirty Librarian (don’t you LOVE that name? Ahem, Sarah Palin); and a bone carved necklace with Sioux horse I picked up at a pow wow when I was like 12 years old. 

 

 

So as I was planning to head to TN, a notification flashed on one of our climate change listserves. There was a report of a major coal ash slurry spill 40 miles west of Knoxville on December 22nd. Major news sources such as the NY Times were late in reporting on it- (figures) and considering this is the worst coal ash spill in history, I wanted to head down, meet with residents and survey the situation. Thanks to Garner, I was able to arrange all that. One of my newfound friends- Jeff Wyatt Wilson- from Wilson Independent – in all his awesomeness – took a road trip with me over to Kingston to film a-la VBS.TV style for Discovery Earth Live and other outlets. Dave Cooper and friends were able to get me to the heart of the impoundment break to document the residents’ stories. I let them all know that if they need an outlet to report on or have any questions on who to turn to for some answers, they know my number. More on all of this later….