Subscribe for our newsletter now and win the new book by Summer Rayne Oaks! Eco Fashion World spoke with this topmodel and ecopioneer about her latest projects and favorite products.
EFW: What new/exciting/innovative things do you have on tap in the coming months?
SRO: One of them is 'Extreme' photo collaborations with Peter Beard and Above Magazine that strike at the heart of woman’s strength and her innate connection to nature. Another is S4, a new online venture that will allow designers to search, rate and purchase more sustainable materials so they can spend less time researching and more time designing. We plan to launch the beta site this January. A third thing going on is a brand new season of Zoe&Zac: you have to check out the Mulberry boots, they’re a hipster’s dream! The last exciting thing I'll share with you is the re-launch of Portico Home. It’s the best in bedding and bath with an uncompromising focus on fashion and the highest environmental standards. The rest I’ll save for later, life is to be savored in small doses.
EFW: What was your inspiration for writing 'style: naturally'?
SRO: I didn’t want to write another “green book” filled with “Did you know?” tips or over-simplified statements like “these stilettos will save the world girls!” The goal was to devise a seriously entertaining book for women who love style but would never have “environment” in their lexicon. I believe through accessible language, personal stories, and great graphics and color images, we [the publisher and I] were able to achieve that. Hopefully you agree!
EFW: Talk a bit about the philosophy behind Zoe&Zac. How had the brand been doing at Payless, and now that it's been out for almost 6 months, what are the future plans?
SRO: The goal of Zoe&Zac was to create a fashion-forward, affordable footwear collection for women, children, and eventually men (I’m sure The Discerning Brute will be happy to hear that). This is the first time a company is doing this in the affordable footwear category and we want to see how we can learn from this brand. It’s just a small component to the other sustainability programs that Payless is now integrating into their company ethos. It’s pretty exciting. It’s not perfect - but we’re learning a hell of a lot! And many of the styles have been selling very well.
EFW: What designer(s) most inspire you, and which ones would you most like to collaborate with, now or in the future?
SRO: Gosh there are so many. I’d like to work with Levi Strauss again. I really respect that company. But I’d like to collaborate with labels who are at the cusp of exploring sustainability strategies too. That is where I am able to make the most difference. Maybe Gucci, Tiffany, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, Bebe, GAP, Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Uniqlo...I can keep going...
EFW: What are some of your favorite eco things like clothing lines, beauty products, accessories, etc.?
SRO: Tarte does the greatest selection of eye shadows and very cool bronzing lotion. Duchess Marden’s lotions are a dream. My one friend described the DM products as if a “fair angel descended from the empyreal skies to bestow heavenly kisses upon thine face.” I quite like that Shakespearean reference. I have new organic-certified slub towels from Portico Home, which are sooooo soft and will be launching in the U.S. soon. I love wrapping myself in them after a hot shower.
EFW: What do you consider some of the best DIY eco fashion styles?
SRO: Threadbanger.com is the coolest. Artist and Fleas in Williamsburg has the best selection of hipster styles. Studio 5-in-1 sometimes has some great re-threads. Love the Alabama Chanin DIY tee-shirt styles. I got some appliques and thread last time I went to Alabama to do up some old tees. And I’m still looking for a designer who can turn my excess tee-shirts into underwear. Know of anyone?
EFW: How has being a cause-related model (and very involved in innovative and sustainable design projects) molded your view of what eco-fashion is, and what it should be?
SRO: I tend to approach eco-fashion the same way I do in my book - which is allowing the user to bring in his/her own creative style to define what it means to them. I prefer a broader approach to a more narrow one only because what we can achieve through sustainable fashion is most always at odds (think fair trade vs. local). I believe starting this whole cause-related/ecomodeling thing has given me ability to really explore these ideas outside the box, re-define how the fashion industry looks at clothes (and even models), and allow for a riveting and real paradigm shift.
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