Summer Reigns

I was totally psyched to see one of my favorite people in the world on the September/October Issue cover of E Magazine. Summer Rayne Oakes is much more than a model. She's a Cornell trained entomologist, she's an environmental activist and most importantly...a really incredible person. Her projects are too numerous to go through here but I encourage you to go to her website (click on her name hyperlink above). You go girl!!!

Newsweek's Giving Back Awards

Another pleasant surprise on the newstands this week. Newsweekdevoted a cover and issue to their Giving Back Awards. A few expected folks (like Brad Pitt) but quite a few surprises including Benita Singh and Ruth DeGolia, co-founders of a great startup/nonprofit, Mercado Global, that SSF remembers well from our small beginnings. They've been doing sustainable style form the beginning...and doing it well. Surfers to Mercado Global may also notice the face of the very sustainable and stylish Summer Rayne Oakes as the face of Mercado Global

BSR bash in NYC

Just finishing up our second year helping out Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) with their annual conference, styling and producing their registration area and gala reception. It was another great year of demonstrating the amount and breadth of sustainability efforts underway. And, it's always great to hear about what companies are doing in the corporate social responsibility arena. Got to hang with some of our NY friends which is always great too. Just before I left for Seattle got to have a quick meeting with Sara Cross from Cool not Cruel, model and entomologist Summer Rayne Oakes, Josh Dorfman of Vivavi and Mark Spellun of Plenty Magazine...such awesome, inspiring people. Can't wait to get out there and make some change myself.

Sean in the city

All is well at NY Fashion Week. Started my NY visit with another listen to the fabulous voice of Julia Fordham at Joes Pub. Julia had a full band with her this time so it was a bit more rock than here Seattle show...still amazing though.

On Wednesday I paid a visit to Q Collection guys Jesse and Anthony to check out their showroom of fabulous sustainable furniture and accessories. OMG...I want one of everything. We conspired a bit to get Q Collection stuff on Oprah and Queer Eye, so stay tuned. After Q Collection I hopped on the L train and went over to see the latest goodies at The Future Perfect in Brooklyn. David Alhadef continues to have a great thing going there with some of the coolest stuff that happens to have a great sustainability story as well. Stay tuned for some pics.

Last evening was spent at the great Fashion Week post-party put on by Organic Style Magazine and Angella Lindvall's Collage Foundation. Got to meet up with entomologist and model Summer Rayne Oakes and of course, ecostylist to the stars Danny Seo was there. Great time and a wonderful fundraiser for Collage.

Eco-cocktailing

OK...the sustainability world needs more pool parties. I actually recall Paul Hawken and Vicki Robin saying many times that it's time to make this stuff a lot more fun and I'm pleased to report the Angella Lindvall and her Collage Foundation did just that on Sunday.

The party, held at a private home in Pacific Palasades and sponsored by Tanqueray, was actually an event to launch Collage's new website and online magazine. There were plenty of pretty faces there, but more importantly just as many people of substance including some established and new-to-the-list personal hereos: Julia Butterfly Hill, Van Jones, Tai Robinson of Hydrogen Hummer fame, biodiesel boy-wonder Josh Tickell, Wildlife Works' founder Mike Korchinsky and model/budding entomologist Summer Rayne Oakes.

Got to hang with the a few of the SSF-LA possy too: Susanne Donnegan - our LA Liaison and green interior designer extraordinaire and Colette Brooks - our favorite PR princess/surfer (Colette was responsible fore getting over 20 celebs to show up to the last few Oscars in hybrids). Good people, inspiring speakers, organic food, a solar-powered Jerry Cantrell...what more could a sustainable socialite ask for.

Finally, had a great meeting with Ruben and Lisa from Earth Communications Office (ECO) and Gavin Keilly on next year's OSSA Awards. Good times ahead.

photos: Angela Lindvall, Summer Rayne Oakes, Jerry Cantrell, Stephen Dorff