Fashion | Summer Rayne Oakes

Posts Tagged ‘fashion’

Fashion Fights Poverty parades on our Nation’s Capital

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

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

She’s more than a model with a cause

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

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.”

the curious case of San Francisco

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

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.

SUMMER RAYNE OAKES