Contributors

By admin on September 16, 2009

Anna Griffin

Founder and Editor in Chief
Anna Griffin is the Creator and Editor In Chief of Coco Eco Magazine. Born and raised just outside of London, England, she moved to LA 10 years ago to pursue a career in journalism and broadcasting, and the American pursuit of life, love, and liberty. Having traveled extensively at a young age due to her parents’ geographical maneuvers, Anna developed a deep appreciation of the world around her, and a huge reverence for Planet Earth. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, she became an active advocate of animal welfare and environmental awareness, whilst finding herself as a red-carpet correspondent interviewing stars including Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee, and George Lucas. Not satisfied with Hollywood, pop culture or celebrity, Anna was actively called to action in the fight against global warming, and upon investigating a way to live life as she knew it whilst being a responsible citizen, found no place to call her own. Contemplating the burgeoning environmental crisis, whilst being a conscious fashionista, and hearing the growing call from like-minded women, Coco Eco Magazine was born. Anna turned away from the Hollywood spotlight and focused her attention to providing a legitimate destination where savvy, stylish, forward-thinking women could find the answers to living the ultimate green life, not compromising style or glamour, whilst still maintaining environmental stewardship and social responsibility. For kicks, Anna still occasionally moonlights as a green carpet reporter for Ecorazzi!

Gary Kingsnorth

Creative Director
Graduating from London College of Fashion in 1994, Gary Kingsnorth went on to work as the Fashion Director of FHM Magazine, the UK’s biggest selling monthly men’s magazine. At FHM he oversaw all fashion content including fashion and product shoots, and all news items, whilst developing relationships with fashion advertisers and brands. At the same time Gary was Editor for FHM Collections, Britain’s biggest selling bi-annual fashion magazine, where he was responsible for the entire content of magazines and developing relationships with designers and brands including Gucci, Dolce, Paul Smith, Armani etc. In addition, he oversaw celebrity covers including Jessica Alba, Misha Barton, Usher, and Dita Von Teese. Gary has become a well-respected freelance Art Director for many UK based brands including M&S, Debenhams, Moss Bros, adidas, and Agnes B, Paris, and was photographed by David Bailey as part of the Editor’s Advertising Campaign for UK based Gieves and Hawkes. Gary is also a freelance journalist for the Daily Telegraph.

Karen Snyder

Director of Business Development
With a background that mixes multi-media, graphic design, video game development, entrepreneurship and a love of marketing, Karen seeks to bridge relationships between consumers and companies using interactive tools. She is responsible for cultivating integrated marketing strategies that drive online website traffic, contests and promotions, customer communications, and advertising sales so that website users are happily engaged and the company is sustaining profitable growth.

Ellen Diner

Director of Interactive Marketing
Born in the former Soviet Union and raised in Queens, New York and Northern New Jersey, Ellen graduated from Rutgers University with top honors. She met Anna Griffin in the summer of 2009 and was blown away by the concept and content of Coco Eco Magazine. Blending her interactive and on-line marketing experience with her passion for fashion, beauty, and the eco-glamorous, Ellen is very excited to take on the role of promoting and spreading the word about Coco Eco. It is an incredible opportunity to be able to open the eyes of women to the world of “Gorgeous, Glamorous, and Green!”

Wolfgang Kovacek

Webmaster
Unlimited Nextwork Group, Inc. Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Website Design Manager, specializing in the architectural, creative structural and visionary process of website design. His other focus is networking, strategic partnerships and business development of Unlimited Nextwork Group. Professional Experience: MBA Degree, Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration 1985, specializing in Advertising and Market Research; Several different management backgrounds, founder and head of different organizations, projects and companies, team player and team leader, development of more than 70 different websites from scratch to completion. Founder and leading developer of a social network for truth seekers:HISPOWERPORTAL.com.

Lynn Bershtel

Sales
Starting career with major department store, became buyer of everything from lingerie to cosmetics. Realizing a love of working with people, went into developing products based on consumer needs and trends, then marketing those with advertising departments and budgets. Creating fun children’s centers, to special events with major cosmetic vendors in a retail environment. Went on to develop web based buying for discount chains via the internet. Developing relations with vendors in Asia and domestic buyers needs here in the states, allow them to buy product without the costly expense of travel. Moving away from retail, created and developed an appreciation for working with children and the arts, opening a performing arts center developing young people’s talent in dance, vocals and theater.

Sarah Griffin Berns

Fashion Editor
Stemming from London, England, and having completed over seven years of fashion design and textile education, culminating in a degree from prestigious and recognized Kingston University, Sarah’s career has taken her from London to Hong Kong, and finally New York. She has built a solid reputation and customer base redesigning and reinventing her clients’ wardrobes, and now brings this keen eye to design and current trends to the fashion pages of Coco Eco Magazine.

Thuy Nguyen

Assistant Fashion Editor
Thuy Nguyen authors the online eco-blog, greengrownandsexy.com. The blog is about all things green with an emphasis on lifestyle, fashion, and culture. It’s a lighthearted approach to spreading an eco-conscious message, while maintaining a sense of humor about it. Greengrownandsexy.com has appeared in various national publications and offers green expertise to a variety of online blogs and media sources. Her niche into the world of eco parallels her salicious fixation on all things fashion. Thuy has styled numerous celebrities, high fashion models, musicians, and has worked alongside highly praised and notable photographers. Thuy has recently directed styling campaigns for Fila and Stussy, as well as led design direction for a slew of up-and-coming labels. As the Associate Beauty and Fashion Editor for BPM magazine, along with her consulting experience and features in publications such as URB Magazine, 944 Magazine, her work can be seen in print publications, television, movies and music videos on a global scale. Her recent passion includes the opportunity to conceptualize and style cutting edge editorials using sustainable and eco-friendly clothing and accessories here at Coco Eco Magazine.

Emma Pezzack

Beauty Director
Emma Pezzack is Coco Eco Magazine’s Beauty Director. With a background that spans around 20yrs working directly in the beauty and fashion industries and a burning passion for organic and natural beauty in particular, Emma Pezzack is a self-confessed organic glamazon and responsible hedonist. A love of killer aesthetic combined with substance informs everything Emma does. Having worked on both sides of the beauty business, her background on one hand encompasses sales, marketing and upper level management for major beauty firms such as Revlon & Schwarzkopf; on the other, it involved becoming a trained makeup artist and eventual Fashion Stylist/Creative Director. Working on TV commercials, magazine covers, editorial and more, Emma has had responsibility for applying makeup to literally hundreds of women’s faces. Increasingly alarmed and uncomfortable with the levels and occurrence of toxic chemicals in our beauty products (no less because she used them on herself and others on a daily basis), Emma founded Futurenatural. An online beauty store, hailed as the new ‘Sephora’ for the savvy organic & natural set, Futurenatural cuts through the clutter that exists in the organic & natural beauty world with a very simple and compelling position that connects customers with products and brands they can trust. Representing everything from cult classics to boutique lines, the product selection is perfectly edited, beautifully curated and most are thoughtfully designed to consider the environment. At the core of this hip store is a philosophy of responsible hedonism that doesn’t sacrifice aesthetic, quality, our health, or the environment. Emma is also Editor-In-Chief for Organic Beauty View, a beauty forum dedicated to delivering the latest trends, cool product reviews, hottest brands and savvy intel from the modern side of organic & natural beauty; Beauty Expert for Feelgood Style; and Organic Beauty Maven for ThisNext.

Jolene Hart

Guest Beauty Editor
Jolene Hart is a freelance writer with a passion for natural beauty and holistic health. As former beauty writer for In Style magazine, she has covered every aspect of the beauty industry from product breakthroughs to red carpet beauty to backstage trends at fashion week. She also spent time working in fashion at In Style and Self and reporting on celebrity news and events at People magazine and People Stylewatch. She currently contributes online as co-editor at Healthy Hollywood and writer at Organic Beauty View, No Harm In Beauty and Mind Body Sanctuary. In her spare time, she’s studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she’ll receive her health counselor certification in 2010. www.jolenehart.com

Rachel Schwarz

Photo Director
Raised on the west side of Cincinnati, OH, Rachel studied at Brooks Institute of Photography, where she graduated with a BA in 2007. After moving to Los Angeles and working as a Freelance Retoucher, she met Jennifer Patton and Sara Streeter of the Gallery Girls, which led to major artistic relationships with muses and masters of all sorts, as well as many people of many trades. This evolved into the El Mirage Encounters, where she took different artists out the desert to photograph them and their trade/soul/profession. From clowns to musicians, dancers, and designers of all kinds, all photographed in the dry lakebed of El Mirage. Rachel is inspired by music, from The Beatles, to David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Johnny Cash, and The Velvet Underground. However her greatest inspiration comes from her Mom, Aunt, and Grandmother with whom she credits her talent, education, and success. She admires the photographic work of Richard Avedon, Edward Weston, Joel Peter Witkin, Lucien Clergue, Sallie Mann, and Eiko Hisoe. Rachel currently resides in the Haight, in San Francisco, and is loving it!

Randi Ragan

Health & Wellness Editor
Randi Ragan is a Contriubuting Writer for Coco Eco Magazine, and the owner of GreenBliss Ecospa, Los Angeles’ only eco- luxury mobile spa. GreenBliss provides eco spa services not only to individuals for home treatments, but for private parties, corporate wellness programs, and specials events. Formerly a documentary filmmaker, Randi taught yoga and meditation, led spa retreats, and created spiritual rituals for 10 years prior to founding GreenBliss. She works as a consultant to help green up home and work spaces, and regularly writes and speaks about eco beauty, sustainable living, and how to easily create a holistic lifestyle. She has begun work on a book Eco Spirit: Mindful Green Living From A – Z, on which this column is based. Randi has been driving her converted Mercedes diesel sedan on vegetable oil for 3 years, and the home in Northeast LA she shares with her husband, Richard, and their 7 year old daughter Olivia, was recently featured in a national profile of “green” homes, and gardens.

Tara Reeves

Travel Editor
Tara is a freelance travel, beauty and fashion writer living in London. She was born in Australia and enjoyed a rather hippy-esque childhood living in the beautiful Blue Mountains and attending Rudolf Steiner schools and a performing arts high school in Sydney. Tara was also an international rhythmic gymnast who represented Australia for 8 years competing in Europe, America, Japan and Korea. Having the opportunity to travel at such an early age awakened the global nomad within and soon she decided to move to London. Tara’s ‘greeniphany’ happened 18 months ago and she has been on a quest to live a much greener lifestyle ever since. Travel is now done by rail for short breaks to Europe (and she contemplates swimming back home for trips to Australia). The fashion and beauty routine has been overhauled and she is determined to prove that there is a luxe green alternative to any former beauty or fashion staple you may have once loved. Tara uses her blog, Green Lashes and Fashion to showcase her best eco discoveries and hopes to demonstrate that living green can be easy, stylish and fun! www.greenlashesandfashion.blogspot.com

Sarah Backhouse

Current Affairs Editor
Media maven, global citizen and free thinker, Sarah Backhouse was born in the UK and raised in Australia and Japan. An experienced host, producer and writer, Sarah has worked in Sydney, London and Los Angeles for a diverse array of broadcasters and online networks including CBNC, BBC, PBS, Fine Living, Sci Fi Channel, NOW.com, WOWOW, Discovery and, most recently, The G Living Network. Being the face of G Living gave Sarah the opportunity to combine her passion for the planet with her broadcasting nous…a welcome relief…afterall, there are only so many beach stand-ups one can bear. Sarah believes green is more than a fringe movement or a fad; it’s the simply the future which the enlightened will embrace first. In her monthly columns, Sarah will strive to entertain and provoke, inform and inspire, and more importantly, reach out to those hitherto seemingly unaffected by the imminent global catastrophe which threatens to engulf our collective inaction and motivate them to new ways of thinking and behavior. Well, that’s the goal anyway. As well as Coco Eco’s Current Affairs Editor, Sarah is on the Entertainment and Media Committee of the International Renewable Energy Organization (IREO), is a board member of the non-profit, Eco-logical Art LA, and is host of EcoMattersDaily.com.

Chelsea Sexton

Contributing Writer
Chelsea Sexton is Coco Eco Magazine’s unlikely car geek as a Contributing Editor and an authority on EV’s. Both her work on the General Motors EV1 electric vehicle program and her passion were featured in the 2006 film, “Who Killed the Electric Car?” by Sony Pictures Classics. She continues to drive the implementation of clean transportation and energy, leading the creation of the Automotive X PRIZE in 2005, and Plug In America, a leading advocacy group for plug-in vehicles. Not a fan of sitting still, Chelsea currently runs the Lightning Rod Foundation, is a Senior Advisor to Vantage Point Venture Partners, and is a Consulting Producer on Chris Paine’s next film, “Revenge of the Electric Car”

Vicky Godal

Vicki Godal

Events Editor
Out to show why eco cool is hot, Godal is a journalista on the prowl for the who, what, where, when and why of eco fashion and style. Intent on bringing this exploding green niche to the masses, Godal gathers inspiration and information through exploring sustainable fashion and eco style. Never content with simply covering fashion shows and photo shoots, Godal delves into the impact of creating both sustainable fashion and style as well as why it’s important to all of us. Contributing to a high fashion magazine with the environmental and sustainable values of Coco Eco is essential to Godal’s quest to prove that cutting edge eco fashion and style can be compelling, elegant and fun while doing no harm to the environment. Godal has covered stories for Fox News/LA, Interview magazine, Vogue, Seventeen, Malibu Magazine, the LA Times, The Malibu Times, The Aspen Times and Whole Life Times. Godal is the Green Life reporter for Examiner.com/ LA’s Home and Lifestyle column.

Zem Joaquin

Contributing Editor At Large
Founder and CEO of ecofabulous.com, Zem has been a contributing eco-editor at House & Garden, Domino, Architectural Digest and 7×7 Magazines. She received the 2009 Global Green Millennium Founder’s Award for her contributions as a Global Green board member, Co-Chair of Global Green’s San Francisco Committee, and Founder of Global Green’s Successful Annual Fundraiser and Ecofashion event. Mentored by William McDonough, Zem is a certified BuildItGreen design and strategy consultant and Cradle to Cradle enthusiast who helps companies and individuals create beautiful, smart, sustainable spaces and practices. Zem is the eco luxury specialist for Planet Green’s Alter Eco and regularly contributes to various media. Much of her penchant for superior design came from her years at splendora.com and living in Milan, Paris and London. Her love for the earth, however, can be traced back to her early upbringing on a Palo Alto commune. As a mother of two, Zem is committed to improving all families’ health, education and access to well-vetted information. To that end, Zem is an active board member of Global Green, Healthy Child Healthy World, Teens Turning Green, and Architecture for Humanity. For Zem’s weekly top picks of the hottest innovations in stylish sustainable living, click here: http://www.ecofabulous.com/become-an-ecofabulous-insider/

Jeffrey Fiterman

Contributing Photographer
Jeffrey Fiterman was born and raised in Minneapolis. He started taking photos at the age of six when his father gave him a 35mm camera on a hiking trip. Years later, he packed up his ‘67 Mustang and headed to California to attend Brooks Institute of Photography. Since then he has worked for clients ranging from MTV to Seven7 Jeans and Venice Magazine. Currently he lives in LA and when he has the time he likes to travel and photograph ancient Mayan and Aztec ruins.

Gitte Meldgaard

Contributing Photographer
From Denmark was a fashion editor for years. Came to LA styling a lot of rock and roll and movies . Started taken pictures about 6 years ago for such publications as Wig Magazine, Issue One Magazine, Poster Magazine, Blackbook Magazine, Flaunt Magazine, Surface Magazine, Oyster, and FHM Collection. Now lives between NYC and LA. www.gittephoto.com

Agatha Nitecka

Contributing Photographer
Born in Poland, Agatha A. Nitecka comes from rather traditional art background, where she prepared to take up sculpting professionally, at the same time studying briefly at the Master School of Film Directing in Warsaw with Andrzej Wajda, recipient of the honorary Oscar. She moved to London in 2004, where she studied at Chelsea College of Art and Design and graduated in sculpture department. At this time she started to exhibit internationally shifting her interest towards performance art and self-portrait photography. Lives and works in London. All her photographs are clearly linked to the wonders of nature, perhaps due to the many years she lived in the forest and traveled in the country. That’s her natural environment and main inspiration. Her degree in (MSc) Theoretical Psychoanalytical Studies (UCL, London) is a crucial theoretical base for the ongoing photographic projects. www.lettresalou.com

Andrew Farrington

Contributing Photographer
Based in Manchester, England, Andrew Farrington is a professional photographer with 22 years of experience under his belt. Having started as an assistant at a large catalogue and commercial studio in Manchester, Andrew has progressed through the ranks and now has his own studio where he does editorial and commercial/corporate photography to earn the pennies, whilst his passion is the personal projects that take up ALL his spare time. When asked about his photographic philosophy, Andrew is candid. “I am a firm believer in the ethos that great photography comes from the heart. I really believe that it is obvious when a photograph has been made for commercial reasons and the whole point of my personal work is to even the aesthetic scales. Also, I prefer darkness to light as I find it more intriguing thinking of what I can’t see, or can barely see, than what is obvious and in my face – The current digital camera technology is a great boon to this type of light/dark exploration.”

Bree Michael Warner

Contributing Photographer
Bree Michael Warner is a bit of an enigma. Having primarily ventured to the Southern California area for aspirations in front of the camera, both a working actress and these days Photographer she’s learned that life sometimes finds you on amazing detours. Earning her Theatre degree from the University of Southern California with merely one senior year photo class credit she found a new creative outlet that quickly evolved from Hobbyist to Pro in just a few short years. Paving her photography niche initially within the Rock-n-Roll, she continues to capture life between the shadows and light. It is the spirit of a person that moves and inspires both her professions as an Actress and no doubt Photographer. Whichever side of the camera you’ll find her changes day to day but one thing is for certain, a life without the unexpected twist is a life without the joy of surprise. www.breemichaelwarner.net

Courtney Dailey

Contributing Photographer
Courtney Dailey was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where she first found her love for photography. “She has had a camera in her hand since I can remember” says her uber creative mother Noella, “Courtney has always had the ability to capture things in a different way”. Courtney was raised in a fairly liberal household where being creative was known as the only way to live. Throughout her childhood, she studied several different mediums and learned the importance of image perception. “I like seeing things I create as I see them in reality. I like the juxtaposition between what is common and what I like to call the “why” factor. There’s no reason to skew a beautiful girl in Post-production: Let her shine and let her personality bring you the final product”. Courtney has always believed photography and makeup has no rules. “It’s a combination of imagination, creation, and practiced technique”.
In 2007, she hit the road and set up shop in Los Angeles. She asks that the federal government to forgive her student loans, so that she can drive a car that does not make sounds like a beatbox and so that she can shoot with a camera other than her backup, the “zoo camera”.

Juan

Contributing Photographer
Having been a professional photographer for a little over a decade and pattering about the world making his pictures, Juan is currently setting his sights on other means of expression and is planning his next series on women. For this issue, he reunites with former Channel [V] VJ Amanda Griffin Jacob to do a fashion editorial so… erm…. commercial that even he cannot believe he actually did reasonably well. Personal Website: www.juan.ph Email: info@caguicla.com

Nick Fallon

Contributing Photographer
Nick Fallon a born and bred Londoner has been honing his technique in the fiercely competitive London Fashion scene. He has carved himself a client base in the Eco camp, naturally drawn to this area by his desire not only to take beautiful pictures but also to stop ourselves from destroying our ecosystem. Nick has also been shooting London’s catwalk scenes, from Fashion Week to night clubs; he has a distinctive style known for his walking shots and after show improvised club photography. Recently he has begun to dabble in art photography. He has hosted two exhibitions and is currently submitting several pieces into the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition. These pieces are entitled Photographic Impressionism. They explore texture by removing form from the pieces leaving only brush stroke-like patterns behind. Finally Nick works with actors, actresses and musicians, taking their portraits, headshots and otherwise allowing them to use their imagination to paint a picture of themselves with a photograph.
www.nickfallon.net

Remy Chevalier

Contributing Photographer
Remy Chevalier is the son of Jean Chevalier, the famous French photographer who gave ELLE magazine its look in the 40’s and 50’s. Remy’s dad became extremely conscious of the harm we were doing to the planet. By the time Remy was 14 years old, he’d been influenced by Rachel Carson, Barry Commoner, Paul Ehrlich and other doomsayers of the day. He rebelled against the Club of Rome’s fatalism and set out to find solutions necessary to solve the crisis. In 1973 Remy became an unwitting participant to the creation of the Trilateral Commission. He spent the last thirty years researching energy conversion technologies, visiting inventors, laboratories, collecting information necessary to create viable alternatives to oil, coal and nuclear while using Hollywood and the world of fashion as a means of introducing these ideas into popular culture. Remy has been assisting Coco Eco magazine in its positioning strategy, consulting on green cosmetics and photography. He owns The Aquarium, a think tank in Norwalk, CT and covers green events for The Greenloop, The Daily Green, Ecorazzi, Eco-Chick and other news outlets. Remy scouts Model Mayhem and MySpace for the next generation of green super models, producing electric car pin-ups for Electrifying Times magazine. Remy can be found on www.remyc.com where he manages multiple Yahoo Groups.

Todd Westphal

Contributing Photographer
Todd Westphal, whose work has been seen in Spin, Rolling Stone, Wax Poetics, the cover of Newsday, and on numerous covers of recording artists releases, is a different style photographer who shoots what can be seen and shoots even more of what is often overlooked/ignored. Todd moved to Los Angeles, Ca, 6 months ago and he has been recently seen shooting artists, actors, and on-set movie stills. His work can be enjoyed at ishootamerica.com. Todd asked us to ask you to do something nice to somebody today, and tomorrow.

Magda Rod

Contributing Photographer
Magda Rod studied photography at Brook’s Institute of Photography and The San Francisco Academy of Art before heading off to Paris and New York to work. She has photographed fashion, celebrities and musicians including Marilyn Manson, Blondie, Sonic Youth and No Doubt. After the birth of her daughter Lula in 1998, Magda created a high end, funky clothing brand for little girls called Wildchild Wear. In 2007, Magda launched Visionary, an eco chic lifestyle brand, and opened a retail store, Visionary Boutique, on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. Photography remains her first love and she is always happy to have an opportunity to express her art through her camera.

Jan Kaar

Contributing Photographer
Born in Indiana. Moves to OK. Moves to Deutschland. Moves back to TX. Then moves to IN. Does the college thing and ends up with a BFA in Fine Art. Moves to LA. Ends up in front of the camera for 10 years. Works for Paramount, WB, Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS and a cheesy Mexican soap called Para Toda La Vida… Can no longer take it and goes back to making art but this time with a camera. Realizes still pictures move minds and moving pics still em…

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Zoey Grossman

Contributing Photographer
Born in New York, up and coming fashion photographer Zoey Grossman is a 25 year old who spends her time between Los Angeles and the Big Apple. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 2007 she quickly began to pursue her dream of fashion photography. Her inspirations in the photographs she produces, comes from beauty, imperfections, sensuality, nature and romance.

Asha Fuller

Contributing Photographer
Fuller lives and works between Paris and NYC. His images have appeared in solo and group exhibitions in NYC, Paris, Miami and Nashville. His client roster includes Christian Dior, Nautica, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Bottega Veneta and Le Sport Sac. Fuller is currently directing the documentary film, “Musical Trails” and also produces and directs fashion and music videos.

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