Everything you want to know about Summer Rayne Oakes. Her childhood, accomplishments & goals.  An interview by Apple Levy for the Coco Eco Magazine Jan/Feb Issue.

A gorgeous day for a photo shoot brought us way up in the Hollywood Hills for an exclusive glimpse of a day in a life of the Coco Eco Mag team.  Besides the excitement from the out of this world, breathtaking views of the chosen location, this shoot was with the one and only Summer Rayne Oaks.  Summer gave us free range on our questions and was willing to share with us everything we wanted to know, from her roots to her current passions.  We kicked off our chat by finding out the story behind the name. 
 

Photo: Summer Rayne Oakes Photography Courtney Dailey Stylist: Robin Garvick  Hair: Brian Bowman  Make Up: Rebecca Liceaga Jacket, Skirt (not shown), and Necklace : www.lindaloudermilk.com  Make up products by Suki Naturals and Alima Pure, courtesy of Future Natural Hair products courtesy of MOP  Special thanks to Glenda Borden for our gorgeous Los Angeles sustainable location!

SRO: My mother was aiming to have her kids on the first day of summer. She had an overwhelming feeling that I was going to be an artist when I grow up so she wanted to name me something artsy and it was pouring down when I was born so she named me Summer Rayne.

AL: With your given name, it almost seemed like you are destined to be in this movement. Do you feel that your roots & upbringing play a big role in your actions today?

SRO: I think where I grew up in North Easter Pennsylvania, it was a really grounding atmosphere and I had the benefit of growing up in a beautiful part of the country. I had the privilege of growing up in the countryside of farm, fields & forests, and that literally has been my source of inspiration. I don’t quite know where I got the passion for environment even though my mom was conscious.  We had an orchard & we had our own garden. She kept the most beautiful flower garden & she just loved putting her hands on the soil and growing our own food and we composted. We had that sense of responsibility & respect for resources. It was a totally blue collar worker area. My father was a truck driver and my mother was a ballerina.  She did jazz.  To this day I never forget where I grew up and what environment means to all sorts of people.  More...