This was one of those times when saying, “you had to be there” rings true: Our Third Annual designedCOLLECTIVE was not just a monetary success, having raised over $2,000 for three of the philanthropic organizations founded by the panelists, it represented a beautiful blend of some of the most innovative, conscious and creative Bay Area visionaries to come together at one time—a success beyond measure. 
The evening, “BEAUTY, BRAINS, BRAWN, and Beyond”, was hosted by Funny or Die’s Erin Gibson and featured a panel discussion lead by Paige Loczi with Katie Meyler of More Than Me Foundation, Dorka Keehn of Ignite, and Laura Guido-Clark of Project Color Corps.
Several blocks from the event venue, the San Francisco Giants were hosting the Detroit Tigers in game one of the World Series, and yet over 100 people attended the 2012designedCOLLECTIVE, bringing both personal style and grace to make it a high celebration of human talent and contribution. Panelists were open about their experiences and mindful in the way they expressed how design can be used to move individuals to achieve. Ms. Guido-Clark, for example, related how one student at E.C. Reems Academy said the color orange is inspiring because ‘It makes me feel like they had breakfast in the morning.
Elsewhere on the design front, the equally gifted violinist Emily Palen entertained early guests of “BEAUTY, BRAINS, BRAWN, and Beyond” with—in her words, “music as information, an instrument of transmutation, an architect of new frequencies and structures.”
The event could not have been possible without the expertise and contributions from Jacqueline Stolte, and our friends at Partners and Sutro who offered their beautiful space, prompting many who attended to say they wished to rent out the impeccably decorated space for their own private parties. Later in the evening, guests grooved to music from the brother of Paige Loczi, world renowned producer, DJ Loczi, while while also snacking on the treats donated by ACRE Gourmet, LIOCO wines and Ultimat Vodka.
Legendary ecological architect Dave Deppen, a longtime designedCOLLECTIVE supporter and previous guest speaker, was among those who attended, as were San Francisco Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Jon Steinberg and his wife Alexis Collentine. Eco-shoe designer Deirdre Wallace of deeFIND had the to say of her experience:
“I was moved and honored to be a part of so many progressive people in our community. Every exchange, whether between panelists or with the people I met that night, seemed to be planting seeds for projects well worth following up on. I’m very impressed by what was actually taking place at the designedCOLLECTIVE, it was more than just a shindig for beautiful designers.”
The mission of designedCOLLECTIVE is to provide our community the opportunity to exchange ideas and inspire ownership in a collective, creative process, and is a hallmark value of LOCZIdesign. Design is about creating beautiful spaces that balance and inspire, and it is also about designing the outside world, being a part of something that’s bigger than our sofas, our homes and our lives.
Care to learn more about our collective and our work? Visit us at www.loczidesign.com.
For video and a complete photo gallery of the recent and past designedCOLLECTIVE events, please see the great work of our friend Tim Williamson of TDWMedia.
Extra special thanks go to this year’s designedCOLLECTIVE sponsors San Francisco Magazine, LIOCO Wine, Ultimat Vodka, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, ACRE Gourmet, Palace Hotel, and The Westin St Francis, our host of Funny or Die’s, Erin Gibson, and D.J. Loczi, Emily Palen, and Partners and Sutro!
