On December 11, 2012, the Bay Area’s most eco-conscious philanthropists turned out for the star-studded 8th annual Gorgeous & Green Gala at the Bently Reserve to raise money for Global Green and celebrate sustainable design making a difference in people’s lives.
Reflecting the festive holiday spirit, Winter Wonderland was theme of the night. The Reserve sparkled with flocked trees, sumptuous lighting, a white carpet runway, silk beaded tablecloths, and even ice sculpture centerpieces creating an elegant fairytale ambiance. Curated by Blueprint Studios, the decor was completely sustainable with all items being reused except for the icebergs of course, which melted but not until 11 pm thank goodness! Most of the guests embraced the Winter White dress code and were radiant in hues of white, cream, silver, and gold.
Notable guests on the green carpet included California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, actress Cody Horn, singer Michelle Branch, actor Ed O’Neill from Modern Family, and Dan Vickrey of the Counting Crows. The event was co-chaired by Christopher Bently, Zem Joaquin, and Nadine Weil.
Actress Cody Horn Gavin Newsom
VIPs began the night with a festive cocktail reception, Korbel Organic California Champagne, and farm-to-table hors d’oeuvres by the talented Taste Catering. Guests were then treated to a gourmet, organic dinner prepared by celebrity chefs Michael Mina, Michelin 2-star Joseph Humphrey of Dixie, and Bill Corbett of Absinthe on pastry accompanied by white wines by Iron Horse Vineyards and red wines by CADE.
Celebrity Chefs Joseph Humphrey, Bill Corbett, Michael Mina
Chanteuse Michelle Branch performed her popular songs for the crowd to adoring applause, while Torso Vintages and Drew Altizer Photography hosted a popular photo booth where guests glammed it up in Torso's dazzling winter whites in front of a cozy fireplace scene.
The Gorgeous & Green runway fashion show lead by Lily Achatz and Clarissa Nicosia featured top eco-fashion designers Oliver Tolentino, Mina+Olya, Amour Vert, Prophetik, PACT, and Cari Borja with a special segment by Vintage a la Mode. Famous for dressing stars on the red carpet, Oliver Tolentino designed a special collection of winter white pina gowns hand-crafted in his native Philippines using ancient weaving techniques.
Oliver Tolentino Prophetik by Jeff Garner
The beautiful models heralded from Stars Model Management with expert hair by Pureology, makeup by Vapour Organic Beauty, and beats by DJ Donovan. We were fortunate to have the incredible Daniel Keith, now at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC, as our lead makeup artist. Co-chair Nadine Weil wore a vintage gown with an emerald necklace from Lang Antiques in San Francisco.
Cari Borja Nadine Weil in Lang Antiques
Lenny Broberg hosted a spirited live auction that raised over $40,000 for Global Green with items by Bay Area favorites Cavallo Point and Post Ranch Inn, a stylist package from Lily Achatz, and an extraordinary week-long stay in the Presidential Suite of the Las Alamandas resort in Mexico.
Three Eco-Accolades awards were presented to Google, PwC and the DLR Group for their excellence in green design and superior commitment to sustainability in the workplace.
Google’s Real Estate & Workplace Services Team won for its over 6 million square feet of LEED-certified space and the first-ever LEED Platinum building in Mountain View. Google has virtually eliminated formaldehyde, lead, pesticides and mercury from its global offices. Google also maintains robust programs in renewable energy, data center efficiency, electric and plug-in vehicles, roof-top solar panels, carbon offsets, healthy food, employee shuttle programs, green travel via Google Maps, and conservation via Google Earth Community.
George Salah - Google, Steven McKay - DLR Group, Terry Pruitt - PwC
The DLR Group was recognized for their drive to elevate the human experience through sustainable design. Thirty-seven percent of DLR’s staff is LEED-accredited, and the firm has designed more than 20 LEED-certified or beyond buildings including the first-ever LEED baseball stadium. DLR has installed 8GWh of photovoltaic systems to date and launched impressive initiatives for carbon neutral buildings and healthy, green schools.
Guests enjoyed an array of ecofabulous beverages throughout the evening including 360 Organic Vodka cocktails, MateVeza beer, Guayaki yerba mate, CADE wine, Iron Horse Vineyards, and Korbel California Champagne made from organically-grown grapes. The Only Cookie and Miette served up scrumptious desserts after dinner which did not last long.
Elisabeth Thieriot, Jorge Maumer Michelle Branch performs
This year’s VIP Gift Bag was especially coveted with goodies from TATCHA, Seventh Generation, Lifefactory water bottles, Rosemira Organics skin care, Earth Friendly Products, ModeWalk, A Band of Women, EO, Judy's Breadsticks, popchips, Smarty Pants Vitamins, Uber, Numi Tea, Edible Goddess, Pureology, Earth Vision Industries, and the SF Department of the Environment. The stylish bag from Ecopia was a marvel of green innovation. It was made from tapioca starch and therefore fully biodegradable but very sturdy, durable, and practical at the same time. It is the perfect green shopping bag!
The committee raised over $300,000 for Global Green’s environmental programs thanks to the night’s generous sponsors including Rabobank, The 11th Hour Project, eBay Green, Bently Enterprises, ecofabulous, Catamount Ventures, Heart of Green, and our wonderful Host Committee members including Wendy Schmidt, Christine Bronstein, Steve Simon, Marco Krapels & Moira Hanes, Eric & Carmel Greenberg, and Tricia & Karl Jacob.
Winter Wonderland Decor Moira Hanes, Deidra Altman
We would like to give special thanks to the Omni San Francisco Hotel and the St. Regis for celebrity hotel rooms, Speedpro Imaging Marin for eco-friendly signage, Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation for green rides, and Leftwich Event Specialists for professional event production. Taste Catering helped us make Gorgeous & Green a target zero waste event, thereby putting the ultimate green in gorgeous.
We are grateful to Allison Speer Public Relations and our media partners Drew Altizer Photography, SFWire, San Francisco Magazine, and Step Into My Green World by Sophie Azouaou.
To see all of the fabulous event photos, please see the Drew Altizer gallery.
Dan Vickrey of Counting Crows Olga Dzilikhova of Minolya
San Francisco Chronicle: Winter White at Gorgeous & Green Gala
The Examiner: Winter white and eco-friendliness: Gorgeous and Green 8th annual gala
San Francisco Magazine: 8th Annual Gorgeous & Green Gala
SF Wire: Green Gala on Fire
Red Carpet Bay Area: Gorgeous & Green Gala
Contact Music: Gorgeous and Green Event at Bently Reserve
Step Into My Green World: Eco-glamour and style: Gorgeous and Green 8th annual gala
SF Luxe: The 8th Annual Gorgeous and Green GalaThe Green Stylist: Global Green’s Gorgeous & Green Gala
Event Gallery by Drew Altizer
Inhabitat: 8th Annual Gorgeous & Green Ecofashion Show for Global Green
Gorgeous & Green Program Laura & Scott Claxon
Oliver Tolentino Gown Lily Achatz, Nadine Weil