The California Academy of Sciences' Leading Ladies

Lucy Hume and the California Academy of Sciences go way back. “I grew up with the Academy,” says Hume, a San Francisco pediatrician who also chairs the new Golden Gate Park facility’s Academy Guild steering committee. Not only did Hume work at the old Academy as a teenager, cleaning mouse cages and shark tanks (an experience that got her excited about science and eventually led her into medicine, she says), her parents also celebrated an anniversary there and her sister got married there. Along with Hume, countless other city dwellers have had a connection with the institution for years, and many newcomers’ contributions have helped its doors to reopen this month. Malou Babilonia spent hundreds of hours pitching in on the museum’s coral-reef outreach and conservation efforts through her nonprofit organization, Pusod. Jennifer Siebel Newsom stepped up to the plate as honorary chair of the Big Bang opening gala. And Vanessa Getty and Summer Tompkins Walker have each supported the museum through their generous family donations. “My husband and I both grew up in San Francisco, and the Academy of Sciences was a big part of our childhoods,” Getty says. “Having a world-class natural history museum in our city is truly a gift.” Here, our tribute to five of the Academy’s leading ladies.

Styling: Sharon Maloney/Ford Artists, SF
Hair + Makeup: Nancy Cialdella/Ford Artists, SF
Shot on location at the California Academy of Sciences on July 10th 2008

(from left)
On Jennifer: Ajna certified-organic-cotton long bias-cut dress with hemp-silk trim ($950) at Tobi. Tiffany & Co. 18K yellow-gold torque necklace designed by Frank Gehry ($6,000) at Tiffany & Co., 415-781-7000. Earrings, ring and bracelet on right arm, model’s own. On left arm: Tiffany & Co. 18K yellow-gold calife bracelet by Paloma Picasso ($5,500) and 18K yellow-gold-and-red-enamel lozenges bracelet by Jean Schlumberger ($27,000) at Tiffany & Co.

On Summer: 3.1 Phillip Lim cotton-silk capelet dress ($695) at Barneys New York, 415-268-3500. Tiffany & Co. sterling-silver somerset mesh hoops ($350) and sterling-silver-and-black-palm-wood curved fish bracelet by Frank Gehry ($2,350) at Tiffany & Co. Christian Louboutin suede open-toe heel, model’s own.

On Lucy: Serial Cultura ecologically hand-dyed silk dress ($380) at M A C—Modern Appealing Clothing, 415-863-3011.Tiffany & Co. 18K yellow-gold drop orchid earrings by Frank Gehry ($1,750), enameled wood bangle by Elsa Peretti in black ($395) and 18K matte yellow-gold ($1,400) at Tiffany & Co. Ring, model’s own. Leather belt, stylist’s own.

On Malou: Ajna Himalayan-cashmere cocoon coat ($895), organic-cashmere-and-bamboo Ami tank ($220) and Anna leggings ($220) at Tobi. Stella McCartney satin jeweled heel ($290) at Neiman Marcus, 415-362-3900. Tiffany & Co. sterling-silver feathers necklace by Elsa Peretti ($2,500) and banded agate torque cuff by Frank Gehry ($1,800) at Tiffany & Co.; Co. Ring, model’s own.

On Vanessa: Vintage Alaia cocktail dress and Christian Louboutin patent-leather heels, model’s own. Tiffany & Co. 18K yellow-gold fish cuff by Frank Gehry ($6,900) at Tiffany & Co. Ring, model’s own.