Gorgeous & Green Party Scene

I want to thank all of the people who made the 2007 Gorgeous & Green Party possible and the best one yet. The organic cocktails flowed, the green LED lights flickered, the eco-fashion show runway glistened, and the super star crowd partied for the planet in high eco style. It was truly a glamorous and green night with 700 plus guests in attendance and over $350,000 raised for Global Green and its green schools program, green affordable housing, solar fund, and the green rebuilding of New Orleans.

Who Was There:
The eco-minded celebrity guests included singer Michelle Branch, Sex & The City star Jason Lewis, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Jennifer Siebel, supermodel Josie Maran, Third Eye Blind singer Stephan Jenkins, Nick Graham of Joe Boxer fame, pro-surfer Gary Linden, actors KaDee Strickland & Jason Behr, actress Q’orianka Kilcher (pictured above) from The New World, Ecofabulous founder and fellow co-chair Zem Joaquin, Shaklee CEO Roger Barnett, Global Green President Matt Petersen, and a host of cleantech, Internet company, and green design VIPs. My hat is off to the amazing Cross Marketing and Claudia Ross who led the busy Press Room.

The evening began with an exceptional Patron’s Dinner for 100 guests who feasted on the mouth-watering sustainable cuisine of Michelin 2-star chef Joseph Humphrey. Joe will be presiding over the new Cavallo Point resort in Sausalito, which promises to become the Post Ranch Inn of the North Bay. Cooking classes at Murray Circle will be hard to resist in 2008. 

The nicest celebrity chef I have ever met, Joe pulled out all the stops and prepared a gourmet dinner featuring a delectable seasonal persimmon carpaccio, organic produce from the local Greenleaf, and a filet of grass-fed beef from Marin Sun Farms. I can hear you now. Beef? What? We wanted to serve all-natural, local grass-fed beef to show that the eco-conscious can have their meat and eat it too. Marin Sun Farms raises its cows responsibly in local pastures in the rolling grasslands of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Unlike conventionally raised cattle, grass-fed beef offers healthier and enhanced flavor, a far lower carbon footprint, and a more humane approach. Patrons quenched their thirst with the biodynamic varietals of Santa Barbara’s Beckmen Vineyards including a 2005 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Le Bec Blanc and a 2005 Beckmen Vineyards Estate Syrah from the Santa Ynez Valley.

The very talented singer Michelle Branch from Nashville (carbon offset flight) mesmerized the crowd early on. She sang her best-known songs including All I Wanted and Are You Happy Now, followed by an encore after a rousing standing ovation. She and her acoustic guitar were a true gift. I will admit that I am now addicted to listening to Michelle Branch videos on YouTube.

The intimate dinner room enveloped by marble columns was breathtakingly beautiful thanks to the creative and sustainable design talents of Sillapere. Black and white swirled eco-friendly wallpaper from Graham & Brown peeked through the glass tabletops, complemented by intricate organic flower centerpieces. The effect was stunning, and only pictures can do it justice.

At 7:30 pm, the green glitterati began arriving for the rocking cocktail party in the Bently Reserve’s main hall. The new Organic Beverage Alliance made its highly-anticipated debut with the best lineup of organic beverages around: Organic Vintners wines, Square One Organic Vodka cocktails, Butte Creek beer, Mateveza yerba mate ale, Sambazon acai juice, Guayaki yerba mate, exquisite flowering Numi teas, and wake-me-up fair trade Thanksgiving Coffees. The new green-certified bar masters and mixologists from Cocktail Ambassadors and Elixir made sure the ginger cocktails did not miss a beat.

Tequila eco-lovers got their fix thanks to El Duende de Don Felipe who poured organic ultra premium 100% agave tequilas, including their exclusive tequila liquor and creme liquor. The creme is amazing.

At the edge of the VIP Lounge, Veev Acai Spirit mixed up Eco-Mojitos infused with the superfruit acai, pear, cherry and a twist of charity to the Amazon rainforest. In the VIP Lounge, Iron Horse Vineyards served flutes of its delicious Russian Cuvee sparkling wine. This bubbly was remarkably poured at the historic Mikhail Gorbachev Summit Meetings that ultimately led to the end of cold war. Gorbachev is coincidentally the founder of Green Cross International, the international arm of Global Green.

One cannot live on organic cocktails alone, so guests enjoyed an ecornucopia of sumptuous organic foods from the outstanding Roots Restaurant at the green Orchard Garden Hotel, Lettus Cafe Organic, and executive chef Andrew Swallow from Mixt Greens. I personally love Mixt Greens for their organic goodies and uber-green operations (green building and compostable everything - eat your spoon, maybe), and rumor has it they are opening in Los Angeles soon.

Chocolate was flowing amidst organic strawberries thanks to San Francisco Chocolate Fountain, and I am happy to report that nobody jumped in. Three Twins Organic Ice Cream delighted our sweet teeth with their creamy all-organic ice cream, and guests vied to win the fashionable oversized box of Rococo Chocolates from MissDels. The super-green Clif Bar came to the rescue of the ravenous with their all-organic Clif Nectar bars. 

One of my favorite local musicians, Chris Clouse performed two of his popular songs for the enthusiastic crowd. Call me high on trees, but I think that Chris Clouse is right up there with Bono and Coldplay. His album Chimera is brilliant, and his songs Walk Away, Lay It On Me, If I Were The Sun, and Gravity are masterpieces. I’ve probably listened to them 500 times and never tire of their purposeful and soulful melodies. Chris, I hope you make it big and end up on the Grammy stage.

The Gifting Suite was a popular party spot for goodies. Guests made their own eco gift bag, requesting only what they needed and chatting with companies about their green assets.  The first stop was the new Rickshaw Bagworks ecofabulous organic cotton bag. Not your average canvas bag, it was designed with a gorgeous leaf and swirl pattern and could even make it through the door at Barneys. The SIGG water bottles were a huge hit, with party goers vying for their favorite pattern. No plastic water bottles were allowed into the building. Instead, guests took swigs of filtered water from their SIGGs all night. The plethora of Method cleaning products (going Cradle to Cradle in 08) caused corresponding ohs and ahs. The eco-inquisitive searched for all things green on TheFindGreen terminals, and the eco-beautiful coveted gifts from Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, my personal favorite natural skincare makeup line. In a special treat, Reproduct Cards distributed their cutting-edge recycled paper greetings cards that can be mailed back for repurposing as Shaw carpet backing, William McDonough Cradle To Cradle style.

Under the Eco-Spa canopy, Kamalapsa pampered revelers with ayurvedic oil massages and hair updos, all incorporating natural products from their Union Square spa oasis. At the bustling raffle stop, guests entered to win an IWC watch and a Vespa moto scooter, the eco-stylish way to scoot across town literally. Flashing on the big screen were images from Sebastian Copeland’s new epic photography book entitled Antarctica.

The hottest green furniture designer from LA, Robert Craymer, outfitted the Celebrity Lounge and Press Room with his one-of-a-kind, hip RC Green sofas, sectionals, cocktail tables, and more. Robert proves that a green loveseat can be cool and inspire romance. In a special treat, he brought Live Earth posters from his lounge at the mega concert. Catch Robert's green man self next on several TV shows and at Sundance.

People said it was impossible to outdo last year, but Sillapere did it. This miraculous sustainable event design firm once again rose to the challenge and created a stunning environment in the Bently Reserve that was truly gorgeous and green (and black and white and green). Salvaged architectural artifacts like marvelous ornamental wrought iron gates, statues, and even mermaids graced the hall, all from the local Artefact Design & Salvage. Antique furniture from Sarlo Wick, organic flowers, plant remnants, reincarnated votives, eco-green-carpet, non-toxic paints and a Marmoleum runway courtesy of Green Fusion Design Center, luxurious eco-fabrics from Wildflower Linen, sustainable woods, bamboo, boulders from Be Sweet, Xanita recycled panels covered with eco-wallpaper, and EcoSmart fireplaces from Marin Outdoor Living all added up to a resounding wow. Sillapere’s theme was Beauty Salvaged & Repurposed at its most Beautiful, and beautiful it was.

Putting the Green in Gorgeous & Green

It is important to me that the party is both glamorous and fun and very, very green. Here are some of the steps taken to help Gorgeous & Green tread lightly on the planet. The next generation carbon offset firm Climate Clean made the entire event Carbon Negative by 110% by offsetting 6 greenhouse gases from the party’s energy, transportation, and deliveries. I contracted with San Francisco’s Community Housing Partnership (CHP) to hire their outstanding people who are recycling and composting gurus from above. No greening job is too daunting. At midnight and the next day, the team was still going strong ensuring that items were either returned to their owners for reuse, recycled in the blue bins, or composted in the green bins.

Glasses, plates, and silverware were rented from and returned to the green-minded Classic Party Rentals. For the restaurant food stations, the green superstore GreenHome.com provided their invaluable biodegradable plates, biodegradable forks, compostable cups, BioBags (no plastic bags), and recycled paper napkins. SIGG bottles and a water filtration system from the Spring Store were employed to avoid the dreaded plastic water bottles. Programs were printed on 100% recycled paper with soy inks. Party invitations were electronic and gorgeous thanks to the Alyssa Warnock Design Studio. Vendors were asked to forgo excess brochures, and all materials were requested to be printed on recycled paper. On a side note, let’s make recycled paper with a high % of post-consumer content the new CFL in 2008.

Goodbye to foam core signs and hello to the awe-inspiring Priority Architectural Graphics. They printed beautiful party signs and wall panels on Xanita recycled and recyclable kraft-based board using VOC-free and wax-free inks that could all go in the blue bin at the end of the evening. Now that is off the hook.

Celebrities were transported in black Prius cars courtesy of the PlanetTran hybrid car service. Please don’t throw an organic tomato at us - the one private jet was carbon offset in the highest quality way by MMA Renewable Ventures’ local solar energy projects.

Let’s get real. It wasn’t perfect. One vendor, who shall remain nameless, showed up with a truckload of plastic containers the size of Mount Everest. They had to go home unfortunately, as that would have decimated our zero waste aspirations from the outset. Most plastic containers and plastic party cups, despite their deceptive recycling symbol on the bottom, are NOT recyclable in San Francisco’s facilities. All the more reason to switch to glassware or non-GMO compostable cups in the New Year. Party on.

A googol of thanks to the generous sponsors of Gorgeous & Green:
Gold: Google, PG&E, Passport Resorts, Cavallo Point, Don Marco Tequila
Gold Decor: Sillapere
Gold Food: Rabobank sustainability-oriented banking
Silver: Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Bently Reserve, Artefact Design & Salvage
Green Circle: Ugobe Pleo, Sole Technology, ecofabulous, Heart of Green, Vespa, International Watch Company, Method, Clean Solar, Energy Innovations

The After Party went down at the super cool, not-open-yet club Apartment 24 located at 440 Broadway of prior Dolce fame. I predict smashing success for owner Peter Scully given the jumping scene on the Apartment 24 dance floor after Gorgeous & Green.

DJ Donovan got the crowd going strong with his sexy beats and then kicked it up two more notches for the Gorgeous & Green Eco-Fashion Show. The runway featured the top eco-fashion designers blending high style with sustainability. Eco-fashion advances the health of both the environment and the fashionistas who wear it. We are talking no pesticides, no formaldehyde dyes, and no sweatshops here. Producers Lily Achatz and Clarissa Nicosia scoured the globe for the designers who inspired us all with their master craftsmanship of bamboo, organic cotton, organic wool, reincarnated fabrics, sustainable silks, hemp satins, natural dyes, and even Goodwill vintage finds. Unlike last year’s couture gowns, most of the looks were ready to wear and available online or at eco boutiques like Eco Citizen, Kaight, and Wildlife Works. Hair was provided by the local diPietro Todd, and eco-makeup was applied by Iredale Mineral Cosmetics. A huge thank you to Stars Model Management for the striking models who strutted down the runway with professionalism, power, and grace.

Speaking of fashion, a special shout out to Torso Vintages, the high end vintage store in Union Square in San Francisco that was the source of my vintage green and gold gown, seen here glowing next to actor Jason Lewis. Thank you Torso and also SFBayStyle for the photo. Vintage is the ultimate eco.

By popular request, here is the full rundown of the sizzling Eco-Fashion Show.

Bahar Shahpar: 1. Supermodel Josie Maran in a crowd-pleasing Bahar Shahpar red and white candy stripe plunge cocktail dress in 100% silk crepe de chine made from designer surplus. 2. Colorful poppy print sweetheart house dress in 100% textured crepe de chine silk made from designer surplus (pictured below).

3. Bahar Shahpar Kaleidoscope print balloon blouse in 100% silk georgette made from designer surplus. Slate cropped vest and wide leg trousers in 50% organic cotton and 50% tencel yarn-dye poplin. 4. Gold pleated swing dress with pockets in 100% linen made from designer surplus.

Kelly B. Couture: 5. Lauren Wrap dress in sky blue made of 100% bamboo jersey. 6. Anna A-line pintuck dress in onyx black made of 100% bamboo jersey. 7. Caitlin Cropped Coat in fern green made of 100% organic cotton French terry.

Lara Miller: 8. Shay dress in onyx with soy jersey bodice made of soy and organic cotton. 9. Sylvia blouse dress in onyx with white hand-loomed knit in 100% bamboo. 10. Cream Erin dress made of a soy jersey body with 100% silk organza overlay.

Margaret O'Leary and Del Forte Denim: 11. Del Forte white Willow Trouser high-rise wide leg jean in 99% organic cotton. Lara Miller cream soy jersey Eileen blouse made of soy and organic cotton. 12. Margaret O'Leary cashmere floral jacquard dress knit with recycled renewable 100% cashmere. Paired with the Margaret O'Leary Rose Leaf scarf knit with 100% natural, vegetable-dyed cashmere. 13. Margaret O'Leary Hidden Stripe Hoodie knit with a recycled cotton blend produced from the scraps of 100% virgin cotton fabrics. Del Forte Denim Camillia high rise button front pencil skirt in100% organic cotton.

Eco Citizen Boutique: 14. Turk+Taylor zip sailor dress made of wool, hemp, and lyocell. 15. Kelly B. black keyhole turtleneck made of bamboo, paired with CIEL Bardot shorts in black satin/hemp and a Laura Wood necklace. 16. Sara Shepherd Elizabeth dress with curved seaming and a light grey top stitch made of soy bamboo with reclaimed white silk chiffon accents.

William Good: 17. Recycled gray wool cardigan and wool plaid skirt with chick appliqué. 18. A feminine take on a masculine garment, a white tuxedo shirt dress re-created from a recycled tuxedo shirt. 19. Belle seascape gown created from post-retail reincarnated materials using a myriad of fabrics, including silk charmeuse, velvet and wire. 

Cari Borja: 20. Burgundy fleece double layered hoodie empire coat with brown fleece appliqué detail made from recycled plastic bottles. 21. Umber striped linen and hemp Edwardian polonaise jacket and bell pant, with taupe and off-white tulle ruffle top, crafted using scraps of last season's designer fabric. 22. Deep sienna striped golfing gown in linen and hemp.

Linda Loudermilk Luxury Eco: 23. Bafin & Busel Jacket with Niuk pant in Paper Wool. Woven with soft premium wool, this ultra smooth fiber made from rice paper wicks away moisture and acts as a natural freshener. 24. Chalker Jacket and Chameleon Pant in Ingeo, a fiber created from corn and converted into the new PLA biopolymer which is made into yarns and fabrics. 25. Winter Dress in Hemp Silk (pictured on right), which is grown without fertilizer or pesticides and can be transformed into a lightweight, uniquely-textured elegant fabric when combined with silk.

Photos:  See all of the Runway Photos here from the fashion show.

Shoes & Jewelry: The models donned elegant animal-free vegan stilettos handmade in Italy by Charmone shoes. Necklaces by Amber Marie Bently and Kirsten Muenster accented the looks with sparkling eco jewels.

In true confessions, the tux from the upcoming PAS Collection (Pierre Andre Senizergues) made from recycled cashmere, repurposed audio tape, and a black bag bow tie arrived one day late, so stay tuned for next year!

Global Green USA: The $350,000+ was raised for the nonprofit Global Green. Based in Los Angeles, Global Green was the first to send celebrities to the Oscars in Prius cars in their Green Cars Red Carpet campaign, back in the day. In conjunction with Brad Pitt, Global Green is building the first zero-energy house as part of its green rebuilding of New Orleans. Global Green is also advancing the Green Schools Initiative and completing SOLARA, California’s first 100% solar-powered apartment community. On the advocacy front, Global Green will be continuing its efforts for the landmark carbon neutral building standard bill in Sacramento. At the international level led by Mikhail Gorbachev, Green Cross supports the dismantling of weapons and the provision of clean safe drinking water.

Pictures: To see the green party scene, please visit the photos by Drew Altizer. More pictures and press links are available here:

7x7 Social Studies

SFBayStyle Gorgeous & Green Celebration posted by Sarah Granger

TV20 Your Green Life Video Clips

Ecorazzi Gorgeous & Glamorously Green

San Francisco Sentinel Articles

San Francisco Chronicle Carbon Neutral Benefit for Global Green

Until next year...be green and glamorous!

Comments

[kimberly]

I really love Linda Loudermilks new line. She also has some great organic cotton pieces. I don't live near a store that carries her line but I found some great pieces on http://www.junoandjove.com