Art, Music, and Fashion Come Together for Green Event

Music and laughter filled the air on December 7 at the Biltmore Hotel, where Ocean Drive magazine hosted a "Paint the Town Green" benefit for the Environmental Media Association. The green theme was everywhere, from the lounge areas on grass (where guests could unwind on nature-inspired chairs made of stained bamboo veneer from Project Import Export) to the organic hors d'oeuvres, such as bay scallops with green mango ceviche. Even the drinks went green, as Stolichnaya Vodka created two drinks for the occasion: the Stoli Earth Refresher and the Stoli Green Garden 'tini.
Over in the Lufthansa lounge, a large video screen projected images of artwork by Erik Anders Lang and a large "gifting tree" displayed the all-organic goodie-bag items. The bags were designed by fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg, and included items by designers Catherine Malandrino and Kenny Scharf. The bags were available for purchase, starting at $75, with proceeds going to the EMA.

After a few hours of mingling and dancing on the makeshift dance floor between white linen cocktail tables, selections from the Eco Fashion Collection by Linda Loudermilk were modeled. Toward the end of the evening, Grammy-nominated singer and pianist Vanessa Carlton gave a special performance.