4th Annual Coalition for Clean Air Fashion Show to Auction

COALITION FOR CLEAN AIR CELEBRATES FOURTH ANNUAL FASHION SHOW
Top Public Officials to Model Eco-Friendly Clothing at “Clean Air … Always in Fashion”

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 9, 2006) – Twenty of California’s top public officials are walking the runaway for The Coalition for Clean Air’s fourth annual fashion show, “Clean Air. . . Always in Fashion” at the Wilshire Ebell Club on Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. The event comes on the heels of the new state legislation mandating a 25 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and features representatives modeling the latest eco-friendly garments in support of the Coalition’s programs.

In addition, two dresses from this year’s Project Runway’s Waste Not Want Not episode, pictured below, designed by L.A. residents Jeffrey Sebelia and Vincent Libretti, are on display and will be auctioned off. A wedding dress, designed by Andrae Gonzalo from last season’s Project Runway, will also be sold.

“Whether you are rich or poor, live in Northern or Southern California, we all deserve to breathe clean air,” said actress/activist Kathy Najimy. “I am honored to help the Coalition for Clean Air in its mission to restore clean, healthful air to our state.”

Patt Morrison, a columnist with the Los Angeles Times, will provide fashion commentary and celebrity guests, including Najimy and Ed Begley Jr., will help introduce the following models:

Hon. John Chiang, State Controller
Hon. Judy Chu, Assembly Member
Hon. Hector De La Torre, Assembly Member
Hon. Carol Liu, Assembly Member
Terry Tamminen, Former Cabinet Secretary to Gov. Schwarzenegger
Hon. Cynthia Verdugo Peralta, Governor’s Air Quality Management District Appointee
Hon. Todd Campbell, Mayor of Burbank
Hon. Bonnie Lowenthal, Long Beach City Council
Hon. Suja Lowenthal, Long Beach City Council
Hon. Tonia Reyes Uranga, Long Beach City Council
Hon. Laura Chick, Los Angeles City Controller
Hon. Wendy Greuel (and baby son Thomas), Los Angeles City Council
Hon. Jose Huizar, Los Angeles City Council
Hon. Jan Perry, Los Angeles City Council
Hon. Ed Reyes, Los Angeles City Council
Hon. Jack Weiss, Los Angeles City Council
Hon. Nury Martinez, Mayor of San Fernando
Terry O’Day, Santa Monica Planning Commissioner and CCA Board Member

After the show, attendees will be able to place their bids for the Project Runway dresses (pictured below, left to right, Jeffrey and Vincent’s designs) on eBay. Andrae’s wedding dress will also be auctioned.

Project Runway "Waste Not, Want Not" Designs
(l-r: Jeffrey's dress; Vincent's dress)

Environmentally-friendly fashions will also be sold at the show, including designs from:

According to recent statistics, California's air pollution led to about 9,000 premature deaths each year. In comparison, motor vehicle crashes resulted in 3,200 deaths and homicides caused 2,000 deaths.

“The 2006 smog season is officially over and once again the Los Angeles basin is the smog capital of the U.S. with the San Joaquin Valley close behind,” said Tim Carmichael, President of the Coalition for Clean Air. “To change this, and protect the health of all Californians, we need a concerted effort from our government, corporations and residents. The Coalition for Clean Air is developing and promoting solutions but we need your support.”

Clean Air…Always in Fashion Sponsors
Southern California Edison; DeMenno Kerdoon; The Gas Company and SDG&E; Warner Bros. Studios; Cerrell Associates; Paramount; Peter Weiner and Paul Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP; PPM Energy, Inc.; Sound Energy Solutions; Timberland; Weston, Benshoof, Rochefort, Rubalcava & MacCuish LLP; Better World Group; Burbank Water and Power; Fox Entertainment Group; Gladstein, Neandross & Associates; J. Knapp Communications; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Sustainable Design Source; Walter N. Marks, Inc; Waste Management; Weber Shandwick; Asian Business Coalition; Aveda and KCET.

About the Coalition for Clean Air
For 35 years, the non-profit Coalition for Clean Air has worked to restore clean air to California. With offices in Sacramento, Los Angeles and Fresno, it is focused on reducing pollution and strengthening the California environmental community. To learn more, visit www.coalitionforcleanair.org or call (213) 630-1192.