Just as Charlotte was going to snap a shot with me and the zoe&zac summer collection, Margaret from the Lazy E and the gal from (Wendy is her name?) Women’s Health walked in. They fit so nicely between my arms, I just had to let them in to the shot!

A little sneak peak at the Spring/Summer ‘09 collection. I’m there sporting my Aoi jacket; organic cotton Katherine Hamnett tee; Ombre Claire necklace; sunglasses from American Apparel; organic cotton pants by Linda Loudermilk; and Lotus oxford from the first zoe&zac collection (still in time for Mom’s Day this coming May 10th - don’t forget!!!)

And drum roll please…A few shots from the upcoming summer collection, including a basic black Snapdragon ballet flat; a vintage floral wedge; and a pretty pink Tigerlily wedge (back by popular demand) from the first season. Zoe&Zac launched this April 13th, 2009 in 1,000 Payless stores and on payless.com. I’m pretty psyched that we’ll also be launching the summer collection this June through September in many Latin American countries…In fact, that reminds me: I gotta pen an article for En Sociedad tomorrow, (with a little translation help of course)…

Stella McCartney. A month or so ago I got a message from Annabelle over at Stella’s to say that the inimitable animal-loving designer was in town and I should swing by. After throwing a host of Style, Naturally book launch parties at her chic shops in both The Big Apple and La-La Land, I still hadn’t been able to link up with her thanks to both of our ridiculously erratic schedules. Every time I’d come, she had just left, and when she came around, I would have already slipped out the door. No worries: This past month we clocked in on our time cards right at the same time (thanks Amy, Daniel, and Annabelle!). Just as I was signing my book to leave for her, she popped in, already mobbed by some selfishly hip socialites who enjoy chit-chatting about conscious face care (despite the horrendous Botox they have shoved in their Grouper-like lips). Ahhhhh life can be so entertaining at times.

Much to my delight, however, conscious face care dovetailed into animal-friendly speak, which gave way to a discussion on environmentally-friendly fashion. “I never expected to talk about my values that I grew up with so much in my design, but journalists are now asking me specifically about it,” she said turning to me. “And I don’t know if I’m using the best materials,” she said softly. “I mean, I’m not using leather products but I am using plastics.” (I think she mentioned something along the lines of 50 billion animals are slaughtered every year worldwide for food + fashion, which is a staggeringly high number when you think about it in totality.) I gave my book to Stella at that point and began chatting about best practices in the industry, our upbringing, and some of the latest innovations on the fiber-front. I had to run to my next meeting, so I couldn’t hang, but we agreed to stay in touch… so off I went. 

Patricia Field. A few days ago we had our second Payless shoot for zoe&zac. The styling on the first shoot was a little too Boho for my liking, so we brought in the outrageously creative eye of Pat Field, whom will forever go down in fashion history for her styling of Sex and The City, The Devil Wears Prada, and now Ugly Betty. She’s the type of gal you’d want to throw back a few beers with at the bar (and maybe a fistful of whiskey, a bottle of rum, and a couple shots of vodka) while talking about all of what is wrong with the world. I seriously admire that woman - because she just does her thing - the same damn thing that she’s been doing - and has just stuck with it and does it super well (i.e. pairing a sequin top that has no business rubbing up against some Safari-shorts and a studded belt named Roger (yes that famous belt you’ve seen at least twenty times in the Sex and the City movie here and here and here), yet when paired together they all seem to fit nicely together (like the whole Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt family). Granted PETA would have a hair-raising experience with Pat’s once-four-legged-animal-turned-purse, but we kept it in line for zoe&zac….and who knows, perhaps after Pat picked up Style, Naturally, we’ll be seeing some eco-conscious wear on America Ferrera’s lovely brace face…or maybe a studded belt named Roger.  :o) - SRO

We’ve launched the first season’s line of zoe&zac and next week I’ll be back in the design room working on upcoming season’s lines. If you have gotten a chance to head over to a Payless store and check them out like I did the other day, then check out the website here and let us know what you think (web shots below). It’s definitely a work-in-progress…and we got a lot more to tackle. Some of the boys out there were wondering whether they’ll get some kicks - and the short answer is “Yes.” This will eventually be a family brand - but we’re still developing styles and materials, so the men’s versions will launch a few seasons down the road. Stay tuned. Check out the video below for a bit more behind-the-scenes + tips from the last shoot/work session.

overview of the brand

a little bit more on my role

Julia and I headed to the nearest Payless store to check out the zoe&zac displays. I bought a pair of the brown organic cotton wedges, which I wore all day yesterday. Charlotte called on Friday to inform me that all the girl’s shoes (three different styles) sold out - and those brown wedges I bought are the best-selling ones. Not only that, but our “Plant A Billion” bags - those recycled $1.99 ones in which $1.00 is given to plan 1 tree in the Atlantic Forest of the Amazon, are all sold out too! Thanks everyone for your support. Check out zoe&zac at a local Payless (we launched this April 13, 2009 in 1,000 locations) and on Payless.com. 

Check out zoe&zac + Plant A Billion at payless.com 

THE INSIDER: SUMMER RAYNE OAKES

A science nerd turned shoe designer tells NYLON what it takes to go green in style.

Summer Rayne Oakes isn’t your average model. Or your average scientist. Or even your average fashion designer. In fact, there really isn’t average about her at all. Originally an environmental science major at Cornell, Oakes realized that the best way to inspire change was through clothing. Since working as a model with only eco-friendly brands, the 24-year-old launched a consulting firm, released Style, Naturally, a guide to green living, and worked on a new sustainable shoe line for Payless, out in April. In between stops on her book tour and an appearance at Power Shift, NYLON caught up with Oakes to find out just how she does it. Try not to turn green with envy…

You’re a model, an activist, a writer, a designer…what’s an average day like for you?
There really isn’t one. I know myself enough to know [that] if I were to devote myself to one specific project, it really wouldn’t make me feel alive. Every day is really different—one day it could be completely boring, writing proposals, another day could be in the design room with Payless.  It definitely varies, and I’m happy with that because it doesn’t feel like a job.

Was there a turning point for you, in terms of environmental activism?
I was definitely born and bred a nature freak—I grew up with National Geographic, not with fashion magazines. It wasn’t until college that I had an epiphany: If I wanted to create real change, I’d have to step outside of my traditional environmental and science circles. I was just studying sewage sludge and really ingrained in studying waste management in college—which has nothing to do with fashion. It occurred to me that as much as we fight to change federal regulations, we really need to change awareness on an individual level, as well as inspire people [to change]! 

Did anything surprise you while you were researching and writing Style, Naturally? 
I knew much more about the fashion space than the beauty space. So it was interesting doing research on the personal care side and see how very confusing it actually is—[in terms of] what’s organic and what’s not. The consumer has to be a little savvier, in terms of reading back over the ingredient list, but we don’t always have time. So there needs to be a more transparent system within both industries. 

What’s your role like with the development and design of the zoe & zac Payless collection?
I wasn’t so much on the design side the first season. Instead, I worked on material sourcing, color choices, looking to see what else is out there and what we can offer that’s a little bit out there. As the seasons have unfolded, I’ve become more involved in the design process. In many ways, I’ve asked them to treat me like a Payless employee.

What’s your most environmentally-damaging vice?
I love travel—you’re gaining insight and experience from so many different cultures and parts of the world. But people say, “You travel a lot for what you do, and isn’t that a lot of carbon?” That’s probably where I expend my carbon. If you took travel out of my equation, I’d probably have one of the smallest footprints known to man. But that’s a big part of my life and who I am and how it’s shaped me. When I travel, I really try to make it worthwhile with a sense of purpose, making sure that I don’t travel for the hell of it. 

If people changed only one thing about their lifestyle to make it a bit greener, what would it be?
I would think food choices. I’m not a vegan, or vegetarian even, but I definitely supplement most of my stuff with veggies or things locally sourced. That’s not always possible for people [depending on] where they are in the world, but try to buy things in-season. If you happen to eat meat, maybe think about how you could eat less of it, or [keep it] within so many food miles. I think it makes a big difference when you buy things as locally as possible. 

Have you found it hard to make a difference and make a living?
I don’t really believe in throwing out my face and saying, this is what I represent, give me a big paycheck. I think we really need to star adding value to the relationship. My career shows that yes, you can decide and be somebody who doesn’t have to compromise your values.
REBECCA WILLA DAVIS

Visit summerrayne.net for more info.