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Google Glass Walks the Global Green Runway

By Esther Hahn

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Earlier this month, Global Green USA held its 9th annual Gorgeous and Green Gala at the Bently Reserve. The evening brought together a veritable list of SF socialites and Silicon Valley execs in support of the organization's ongoing mission to foster universal environmentalism and sustainability. A highlight of the event (and for the previous eight) was the "eco-couture" fashion show, co-produced by Clarissa Nicosia and Lily Achatz. The clothes that walked the runway highlighted sustainable fashion while also following this year's "Great Gatsby" theme. Moments before the show began, Clarissa and Lily sat with us to talk fashion in SF. "I feel like there's a lot of fashion here," Lily said.

Your partnership is going on 9 years for this gala's annual fashion show. How do you approach the show ever year?
Clarissa: I'm the Front of House and work on the show's production while Lily is the stylist and the Back of House.
Lily: My background is in both styling and designing so I source the clothes and style them on the models. We work with the charity's chairs on the theme, which is "Green Gatsby" this year, and then we incorporate it into the show.

Where are the clothes sourced from this year?
Lily: We have Brooks Brothers suits, eco-conscious gowns from Cari Borja, bespoke suits from the Artful Gentleman, and lots of vintage from Decades of Fashion, Torso Vintages and eBay Green. The headpieces are by Rose La Mer and use vintage fabrics. Vintage is the most sustainable form of fashion.
Clarissa: Brooks Brothers is the first men's and boys' fashion retailer in the USA and dressed F. Scott Fitzgerald. [The brand] also dressed Leo DiCaprio and made the costumes for the Great Gatsby movie. The clothes are all made in the USA, and it's a great brand to partner with for this show.
Lily: And select pieces from the show will be available to purchase on eBay and a percentage will go to support Global Green.

How do you view fashion in SF and the Bay area?
Lily: Tech is the game changer in fashion. And tech is what we do best. It's happening in our own backyard. And here, it's not about following the trends. It's about fashion as an individual's statement of power.
Clarissa: And the top tech leaders take part in this event ever year. We even have one of the models wearing Google Glass in the show.
· Global Green USA [Official Site]
· Global Green's Fashion Auction [eBay]