Cocktails for Conservation: A Can’t Miss Event for Seattleites

By Kelly Zwicker
@k_stateofmind

Why attend this event? Because the merging of fashion and conservation will be fun, educational, and inspiring. There will be stunning fashion, amazing guest speakers, and everything down to the cocktails will be rainforest themed.

Fashion and Conservation could have an amazing future in their niche combination, a whole new priority in the fashion industry. Continuing local events lead to larger projects, which sparks a MUCH larger movement. Are you ready to join?

I will be in attendance, taking behind the scenes photography and hosting interviews. I would love to meet anyone that would like to attend, and support the benefited cause, Hoja Nueva. Hoja Nueva is based out of Peru, where the founder and executive director, Samantha Zwicker, lives and does research on wildlife inhabiting Peru’s lowland Amazon rainforest. Their current projects cover the topics of wildlife conservation, ecology, global health and community development.

Pictured: Members of the community of Lucerna, Peru, with executive director Samantha Zwicker and Hoja Nueva team members

Pictured: Khan the Ocelot, who was to be re-entered into the wild by Hoja Nueva member Harry Turner. Khan was killed by a poacher trap, and his memory drives Hoja Nueva to succeed with conservation efforts, despite resistance.

There is an important theme of the partnership of Hoja Nueva with FFC. Hoja Nueva’s efforts are put towards a future where humans and wildlife can coexist together. A world where wildlife is not at the expense of human activity. Sustainability should not just be a trend, it should be a lifestyle people adapt to. It should be prioritized.

As for making sustainability trendy? This event is up to the challenge. 

The evening features themed cocktails, fashion design inspired by elephants and rainforests, holiday pop-up shops, keynotes with jungle-dwelling Fashion for Conservation co-founder and Hoja Nueva president Samantha Zwicker, chocolate tastings, and even chair massages! 

FFC recently presented the Elephantasia line in London Fashion Week, so expect to witness some of the beauty of this collection once again at the event…

Mark your calendars for this exclusive event with Fashion for Conservation (FFC) taking place on Giving Tuesday, November 28th @ Axis Pioneer Square Seattle. 

CONSERVATION: Meet our incredible keynote speakers! Ray Victurine, Business Director at the Wildlife Conservation Society, President of the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network, Wei Ying Wong, PhD, Vice President of Education at the Woodland Park Zoo, and Samantha Zwicker, PhD, Executive Director at Hoja Nueva and Co-Founder at Fashion for Conservation

CHOCOLATE: We are very happy to announce Endangered Species Chocolate as one of our sponsors for our goodie bags for VIP guests at Cocktails for Conservation. 

Endangered Species Chocolate, the makers of the country’s top rated non-GMO and Fair Trade chocolate indulgences, does more than make delicious treats. Their 10% Give Back program has been able to provide nearly $1.4 million to their conservation partners over the past three years. Currently partnering with Wildlife Conservation Network and Rainforest Trust, ESC will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2018, and have begun work to broaden their reach and efforts to support each of these great organizations through crafting premium chocolate.

Indi Chocolates Seattle is also making bean to bar chocolate using the FIRST EVER cacao beans sustainably grown at Hoja Nueva. Complimentary chocolate made fresh on-site with Hoja Nueva cacao will be for everyone’s enjoyment. 

FASHION: Remember Fashion for Conservation’s last event in Seattle? Together with your support, Hoja Nueva accomplished the following:

– protected an extra 150 acres of land for conservation
– contributed to the construction of Hoja Nueva’s eco-lodge and research center
– planted 2000 cacao trees to be sustainably grown
– launched program to bring animals from the black market back to the wild
– created waste and water management programs for impoverished communities

Cocktails for Conservation presents both the full Elephantasia show from London Fashion Week and a preview the Seattle Rainforest Gala 2018! Hoja Nueva executive director, Samantha Zwicker will also share the full circle impact of last year’s event, and goals for 2018. 

ENTERTAINMENT: For the entertainment, in addition to rainforest and elephant themed fashion we are thrilled to have J-NASTY, (Janice Ibarra). Janice is an emerging DJ, stylist, yoga teacher, and co-founder of Women.Weed.WiFi, which is an art collective-movement. Janice feels a strong connection with nature that she harnesses for her activities and lifestyle. The rainforest has taught her awareness. There’s a necessity for growth and change that we are responsible for initiating, and Janice loves to participate in events that get her involved with this change.

COCKTAILS AND DRINKS: The Seattle Herbalist will be crafting two specialty cocktails with 7 Par Vodka: one will be a floral infusion of rose, lavender, hawthorne, and citrus, and another with root-bitters and cacao. There will also be local organic hard cider by Finn River Farms. 

The Fashion for Conservation team hopes to see you on November 28th!!

XOXO, Kelly

MEET FFC’S NEWEST BLOGGER
 @k_stateofmind

Kelly is a lifestyle blogger based out of Seattle, Washington. She has her own website kstateofmind.com. She currently blogs her personal style, travel adventures, and health tips. Being a former collegiate tennis player and public health major, Kelly loves to get involved with a variety of collaborations, not excluding her lead blogger role with Fashion for Conservation. She utilizes her passions for photography and writing for her freelance work and creative drive.