It was all green and gold in honor of Oscar week at the Sofitel Hotel LA with celebrity guests being gifted to eco-chic products hosted by Alive! Expo Green Pavilion. Guests enjoyed the “greenest” of goodies from all natural beauty products to supplements and teas, baby couture, eco-friendly spa treatments, Fair Trade jewelry and handcrafted accessories from Kentucky Agate pendants and earrings to Afghanistan tapestry clutch purses from Kay Jay Collection benefiting Afghanistani Women’s Rights.
Gifting with a Message
Alive! Expo Green Pavilion proves that the best gift of all is the one that gives a positive message. Unlike other gift suites that are mere grab bag bonanzas, owners Kim Shimmel and Patrycja Siewert-Towns use celebrated events as a rare opportunity to raise awareness and provide low impact, environmentally friendly sponsored products from smaller to mid size “green” companies.
Celebs already worth their weight in gold turned out for this spectacular event, and some new faces were spotted before hitting the red carpet with a green attitude. “We had a fantastic turnout this time around considering the fact that everyone was skeptical about the Oscars even happening,” says Siewert-Towns. “We love seeing the same people return to our events as well as new guests.”
Detox Depot
Guests were treated to more than just some swag, but also received complimentary health diagnostics in the Detox Depot that featured footbaths, screenings and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for recuperative skin care and revitalizing energy from Maya Volk of Global Hyperbaric.
Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy assists in general wellness, anti-aging and rejuvenation. Run by Maya Volkl and under the supervision of Dr. Gunner Heuser, it works by lying in a chamber that is then pressurized and filled with highly concentrated oxygen and allows them breathe in its healthful benefits. .Watch the video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCvZzGIaI6M:
Green Games
But the energy at the Alive! Expo Green Pavilion didn’t need any boosting, as everyone took part and participated in fun events that included “Hands of Fame” painted hand prints on tiles from Olympic Paints and Forbo Flooring and one-on-one interviews with Real TV Films already receiving scores of hits on YouTube.
Kay Jay Collection
The biggest hit of the Alive! Expo Green Pavilion gift suite was the hand woven clutch purses designed by Kimberly Jackson of Kay Jay Collection. A local artist in Atlanta, GA, Kimberly found inspiration while visiting Asia, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. Drawn to the richness and unusual colors of the indigenous tapestries and textiles handmade by local tribeswomen, Kimberly set out to create a line of mosaic purses and accessories that also include pashmina wraps and cotton coverlets using these sturdy, but breathtakingly intricate fabrics.
“I returned to Atlanta and could not stop thinking about the excitement I felt having discovered such historical beauty. It was from this passion that my company, Kay Jay Collection, evolved.”
Each clutch is unique and no two are alike as they are custom made from hand woven Afghani tapestries and accented with authentic cultural accessories such as coins, stones and wood carvings. Screen legend and soap star Sally Kirkland selected a beautiful purse to take with her on the red carpet, and was sure to turn a few heads on the big night.
For Kimberly Jackson it isn’t only about the art, but also about getting the message out and educating the public about these communities threatened by poverty and war. Women in these tribes devote most of their days weaving tapestries to be sold in the local bazaars for a small profit to sustain the entire clan. The age old process can take months or years depending on the size of the tapestry and rarely are these fabrics made available outside of their homelands. Proceeds benefit the Afghanistani Women’s Rights organization. For more information please visit www.kayjaycollection.com
Alive! Expo Green Pavilion participating companies included:
Aubrey Organics
With over 200 natural hair, skin and body care products this leading pioneer in organic beauty care is dedicated to creating products that are good for you and the environment. All products are hand made daily to guarantee freshness and are all packaged in recyclable plastic, cardboard and recycled paper.
www.Aubrey-Organics.com
Chi Tea, Inc (VIVA Herbals & Essentials)
Recent studies have proven the positive effects of drinking green tea, but did you know that it would take 10 cups of green tea a day to receive all the benefits your body needs? Chi Tea concentrated formula offers all the benefits of 10 cups of green tea in a few drops with its highest polyphenol content, alcohol and caffeine free liquid extract. Organic and great tasting, this is the tea of champions.
www.vivaherbals.com
North American Herb & Spice
Creators of Oreganol P73 cream, droplets, gelcaps, and nasal spray, these products use the rich and clarifying benefits of wild oregano oil for various purposes. Oregano has been shown to help soothe and quickly penetrate skin and sinuses to alleviate inflammation and congestion. Safe to eat, safe to use, this is the original oregano sensation.
www.p-73.com
Dejahmi
Jewelry designer Beth Respess handcrafts every piece of her sensationally green line of jewelry all from sustainable materials and uses only Fair Trade stones, metals and gems. Using recycled wire and glass, this exquisite line of jewelry is as beautiful as it is sensible. Every guest received a lovely set of drop earrings, adding that something special without adding more to the environment.
www.dejahmi.com
ECOBags
Toss out those plastic bags and store your fruits and veggies in these multi-purpose unbleached cotton sacks. www.ecobags.com
Forbo Marmoleum Flooring
Watching those carbon emissions? Walk with a conscience on this SMaRTCertified, fully sustainable flooring for home or office that is 100% carbon neutral.
www.forbo-flooring.com
Organic Crush
You’re never too young to be green and eco-hip. Kid couture makes a statement and is cute too!
www.organic-crush.com
Savane Silver
Using rare stones such as Kentucky Agate, jewelry designer Rachel Savane creates a line that is as unique as the individual who wears them. The gemstones radiate with natural beauty and are set in stunning sterling silver with graceful curves and elegant lines.
www.savanesilver.com
Len & Joe
Science meets the alternative with this line of vitamins and supplements that are designed for overall health benefits from all natural sources and nutrients.
www.lenandjoe.com
Nordic Naturals
The finest in Omega-3 fish oils from Norway. Fruit flavored for better tasting, get all the benefits in one teaspoon of naturally derived fish oils.
www.nordicnaturals.com
Olympic Paints
A brand of PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc. is a leader in paint and stain segment and goes beyond the industry standard for its strict environmental requirements.
www.olympic.com
Alive! Expo Green Pavilion is proud to also participate with non-profit organizations and charities dedicated to global involvement in helping the environment and humanitarian efforts. Proceeds will go to The Creative Coalition from Olympic Paints “Hands of Fame” along with World Peace One and the Alaska Wilderness League. For more information on how you can get involved with these organizations please go to www.thecreativecoalition.org and www.worldpeaceone.com.
The red carpet may still be red, but at the Alive! Expo Green Pavilion celebrities are going green and looking fabulous…naturally.
Who’s Green?
Other celebrities in attendance included Sammie Hanratty (Pushing Daisies), Emily Wagner (ER), Krista Allen (What About Brian), Shar Jackson (Moesha), Dennis Smith (Former NFL), Christopher Rouse (nominee composer for Bourne Ultimatum), Maggie Wagner, Field Cate (Pushing Daisies), Darcy Halsey (Drifter), Justin Chon (Crossing Over, Just Justin), Shani Rigsbee (Crash), Amy Pojok (Shutterbug), Jill Michelle Melean (Mad TV/ Reno 911), celebrity stylist George Blodwell, Kate Linder (Young & the Restless), Adrienne Janick (TLC Overhaulin), Kathy Joosten (Desperate Housewives), Crystal Allen (Anaconda 3), Brandon Barash (General Hospital/ 24), Scott Cameron Kusmirek (Gin Blossoms), Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Zane Huett (Desperate Housewives), Matthew Moon (singer/songwriter), Malcolm Danare (CSI Miami), Zack Ward (Transformers), Bruce Davison, Troy Winbush (National Treasure 3), Francesco Quinn (nominated film), Stephen Schwartz (Oscar Nominee best song/ Enchanted), Marta McGonagle, Sunkrish Bala (Notes From The Underbelly), Glenda Pannell (Shotgun Stories), Shaun Taub (Kite Runner/ nominated film Charlie Wilson’s War), Vincent De Paul (Poseidon), Sprague Graydon (Weeds), and AnnaLynne McCord (Nip/Tuck, Day of the Dead).
