Summer Rayne Oakes

I was recently contacted by an associate of the ONLY, eco friendly super model, Summer Rayne Oakes. I completed a short interview with her to get the word out about her new book and Payless Shoe Line! Here is her story.

While Summer was completing her University undergraduate degree, she was contacted by a modeling agency and decided to give it a try, under one condition, she would only model for companies who support equal trade and are conscious of sustainability methods. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Natural Resources and Entomology. Summer has participated in a multitude of modeling campaigns and programs that focus on the conservation of our natural resources. She has been featured on CNN, NPR and Fox News and has modeled for Levi Strauss & Co., Nicole Miller and Replay Jeans. She even launched her own monthly style editorial for Lucire Magazine, called "Behind the Label" which focuses on ethical and eco conscious fashion designers. Summer currently runs her own company production company (SIR) that focuses primarily on sustainable business. As a Personal Representative and Image consultant, she has worked with Payless Shoe Source, Alcoa Foundation and Conde Nast to name a few. On top of all this, she still has time to participate in a variety of programs focusing on the environment including: the Youth Climate Change through Energy Action Program, sustainable development in Africa, eco system conservation and fair trade! Her new line for Payless Shoe Source called Zoe and Zac will be coming out this April 2009 and features a variety of cute, affordable and environmentally friendly foot wear. The shoes are made of organic cottons, linen, hemp, recycled soles and eco-smart packaging.

Summer has finally decided that it's time to share her knowledge and inspire us to look at the effects of producing clothes on our environment. This coming February she will be releasing a book titled "Style, Naturally." The book will be a sort of shopping guide that will showcase a variety of labels, including: clothing, shoes, bags, beauty products and more! There are over five hundred photos with tips, resources, designer profiles and street photography style photos. Maybe it's time we put some thought into the clothes that we wear! This resident environmental expert has a lot of great tips that we can use to better the world we live in. You can visit her website at www.summerrayneoakes.net


Here is the interview :

A: How did you get interested in science growing up?

SRO: I grew up with an innate curiosity for nature and always wanted to know everything about what I was observing--from why a fungus grew as it did to how an insect could breathe underwater. I guess once I opened up that Pandora's Box of exploration, I began asking larger questions and became fascinated by the ecology, or connections, of everything around me.

A: What can we do to get more young women involved in science?

SRO: I had some amazing mentors in college - many of them women - and I was also supported by great scholarship, competition and award programs. I think having social networks and opportunities such as those to support young, inquisitive minds is so important.

A: What words of encouragement do you have for those women considering or currently participating in the field of science?

SRO: Never forget why you do what you do - what really makes you passionate. Oftentimes in the field of science, we lose why we do what we do because science can become too text-booky. Stay true to why you're in the field you're in and never forget it.

A: Sometimes we feel as if there are so many problems that we don't know where to start or what we can do. What is one small thing we can all change in our lives that will make a difference to the environment?

SRO: Being mindful of our waste - recycle when you can; compost when you can; use filtered water as opposed to bottled water; make tea-infusion juices as opposed to bottled juice; giveaway or recycle clothes as opposed to throwing them away.

A sneak peak at her new book!

Her new shoe line eco-friendly shoe line collaboration with Payless Shoe Source