Model-ing the world: Christie Brinkley lent her star wattage to the Hamptons to raise funds for an issue much larger than fashion or celebrity. The model, actress and longtime champion of the environment participated in the Celebration for Coral, a Project Zero fund raising event to protect the earth’s oceans and coral reefs. The annual benefit was held at Maison Close in Southampton on 22 August.
The event was attended by members of the Hamptons, southern oxygen, artists & philanthropists, resulted in her hosting the event with her daughter. Sailor Brinkley-Cook and Project Zero ambassador Alexandra Richards. The charity was focused on Project Zero, s Coral Collective scheme, which is dedicated to restoring and protecting the world’s coral reefs and oceans.
All ticket sales were donated 100% to the ongoing coral reef restoration and ocean conservation work of the project (as the event organisers). In addition, for Brinkley, the event further exemplified the increasing relationship between celebrity culture and environmental causes. Although costly, glamorous Hamptons events have conventionally been considered summer backgrounds for fashion, lifestyle and entertainment, the Celebration for Coral clearly emphasized the significance of the world’s oceans.
The reason is also very important. Coral reefs make a difference among the world’s most valuable and rich environments. They are habitats for various marine species and contribute to safeguarding our coastlines.
They are still under threat, with rising seawater temperatures, pollution and other factors taking their toll. Charity events like Celebration for Coral serve to generate awareness, which translate into financial contribution for restoration and protection projects. The Southampton benefit was also a continuation of the summer activities organized by Project Zero in the Hamptons.
It was the first of a series of seasonal environmental events sponsored by Project Zero, which included a beach clean-up and aquatics salutation in Sagaponack and was aimed at engaging community members with Greenwich-based causes before preparation for the giant August fundraising event. Brinkley’s attendance brought a family aspect to the event.
Sailor Brinkley-Cook has been very involved with Project Zero and the organization’s Hamptons cause, so the benefit was an opportunity for the mother and daughter team to support a cause they both believe in.
The event listing for the Project Zero benefit indicated that Brinkley, Cook and Richards were ambassadors and hosts for the event. A specially selected charity auction of exclusive one-off experiences, artworks and donated items also took place, both providing an extra dimension by allowing people to give a little more to the cause and allowing greater charity patronage in an environment of the creativity and social scene synonymous with all Hamptons summer events.
The Project Zero organization has developed its overall mission of restoring and preserving the ocean environment and the focus of its fundraising is centered on coral reefs.
Using the strong relationship between the people and the coastline in the Hamptons the Project Zero event seeks to get people to think more carefully about the ocean’s plight. For Brinkley, participating in the event was just another instance where a highly visible individual could help raise awareness around conservation issues. An appearance by a celebrity can’t do anything to cure the world’s coral reefs but it can generate press, draw in new donors, and bring organizations to new people.
