Summer Rayne is an eco model who is doing her part in bringing environmental issues to our attention. We spoke to Summer in this recent interview.
Tell us a bit about your background...
I was a freak for nature, freak of nature living in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Somehow I figured out my passion at an early age and managed to keep my curiosity and fascination flowing freely.
College came. I dove deep into the environmental sciences and sustainable development, which is when I decided to explore a new frontier: Fashion. The industry appealed to me because it allowed me to reach a ripe audience who normally wouldn’t have “environment” on their radar screens. The rest, I suppose, is history in the making…
How did you become an eco model?
It was a happy accident at first, which then required a lot of hard work to back it up. I literally decided to hop on a bus one day from Cornell and meet people in the industry who might be able to help me on a sustainable development and design art project called Organic Portraits.
I began modeling for brands that shared my environmental ethos – and then later began advising them. When those two world’s merged, the whole concept of “The Eco-Model” emerged.
How is an eco model different from a regular model?
For me, eco-modeling means leading with your values. It’s far beyond aligning yourself with a charity or lending your name to a cause-related event, it’s about seamlessly connecting what you believe in with who you are.
What do you like to do for fun?
Trail running, hiking, backpacking, basketball, Zumba, cooking with a good friend, creating, drawing, daydreaming.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Everyday life, selfless actions, friends, and new places.
What’s next for Summer Rayne?
Source4Style.com. It’s a big undertaking – a B2B online marketplace that allows designers and retail sourcing specialists to search, compare and purchase more sustainable materials from a network of global suppliers. We’re really focused on connecting under-the-radar suppliers and those that have trouble developing access to the marketplace, like artisans in India, Cambodia, Peru, Philippines, and Nepal.
The seventh season of my shoe collection, Zoe & Zac with Payless ShoeSource is coming out; as well as a third season of our more environmentally-preferable bedding and bath line with Portico Home. I have a couple more collections with other brands, but those are still in the works.
Do you have any advice for young women wanting to get into modelling?
Be an individual and stay confident. Learn how to work the industry – or else it’ll work you. Take unconventional routes if the conventional ones close the doors. Be professional. Fashion is a business.
What ways can we be environmentally friendly at home?
Use eco-friendly cleaning products – including detergents! Wash with cold water, full loads, line dry. Distill teas and use water filters for your tap instead of buying bottled juices and bottled water. Install an overhead fan in your house – it helps circulate air.
Choose to use cleaner beauty products, ones that use more naturally-derived and organic ingredients…ironically, the same goes for food. Locally-produced (is of course) the best. Recycle. Run less water…
What is one thing we wouldn’t know about you?
I once had thousands of honeybees on my body.
What does being a woman mean to you?
Strength, empathy, femininity, compassion, candor.
Photo credits: Jonathan Dennis; hair/makeup: Erica Grey; styling: Cynthia Altoriso
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