Ethiopia…land of the original coffee bean, breathtaking waterfalls, and the history-making, inspired leadership of Emperor Haile Selassie I. Ethiopian people are some of the most beautiful in the world, as well as some of the poorest. Too many people in this country suffer and die from diseases that are completely preventable, like podoconiosis.

Podoconiosis, or “podo,” is a form of elephantiasis caused by walking barefoot on soil with high concentrations of irritants like sodium, potassium, and silica. Podo victims become outcasts of society and are often incapable of performing most types of work. This incurable condition is gruesome, debalitating, and 100% preventable.  The grand solution to podo involves providing people with one basic possession: shoes.

Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes is the perfect man for this job. From its inception, Blake’s “for benefit” company has donated a pair of TOMS to a child in need for every pair the company sells. TOMS has distributed shoes to tens of thousands of cutie pies in Argentina and South Africa, as well as hosting DIY shoe decorating parties in the US for children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Blake is now applying his exceptional business model to help prevent podoconiosis in Ethiopia.

For the month leading up to Christmas 2008, TOMS promoted their Project Holiday campaign to sell 30,000 pairs of shoes, so they could give 30,000 pairs of protective rubber shoes to kids in Ethiopia. When all the holiday dust had settled, TOMS and all the customers who participated in Project Holiday had made it possible for 37,000 Ethiopian children to receive shoes and slow the spread of this heartbreaking disease.

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Our DIY mavens at Threadbanger, Rob Czar and Corinne Leigh, enjoyed their time at New York Fashion Week earlier this month. Though, luckily for us, these two have once again figured out how to create haute couture looks with very shallow pocketbooks. That rhymed. (Just in case you weren’t paying attention.) Check out Madame Corinne’s incredibly hot, slightly domi exposed-zipper skirt.

To make it as sustainable a project as possible, see what fabric you already have or try shopping for fabric at the thrift store. Otherwise, experiment with organic cotton, Oeko-Tex certified bamboo, or my personal favorite, hemp.

*Beware of long T-Mobile ad at the end…I guess Threadbangers have to pay their bills too.

Portland native Emily Katz is a long time favorite at Greenloop. Emily launched her line in 2007 and became an instant standout in the eco fashion world for her chic, well-constructed wool, hemp, and soy coats and dresses. Her approach to sustainability is creating classic pieces that, in her words, “transcend the trends.”

For 2008, Emily introduces silk crepe de Chine and a sexier mod aesthetic with short hems, tight fits, and well-tailored cutouts in mainly muted tones. Katz is still holding true to the classic element of her line, both romantic and sophisticated. Her cream cape, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn, and a detailed cornflower blue raincoat are worth every penny when you consider how much you’ll love wearing them constantly for the next five years. (Maybe I’m projecting here.) She’s also brought forth a bit of sheer genius this season with her new convertible pieces, like the Cross My Heart dress which can be worn backwards or forwards.

Check out Emily Katz’s cold weather classics while they last…

In this episode of Threadbanger, Rob and Corinne, our favorite icons of DIY fashion, show us a few key elements about fabric’s construction. Then Miss Corinne Leigh demos how to make an incredible summer dress from recycled fabric. (She makes it look so easy!)

The ecological beauty of DIY everything is that you can personally create new goods from materials that would otherwise go unused, like surplus and vintage fabrics as well as the treasure trove of material found in your “On-The-Way-To-The-Salvation-Army” bag that lives in the nether regions of your closet. It’s like magic. Jesus may be one of the only historical figures to turn water into wine, but you can certainly perform the miracle of turning old table cloths into new headturning halter tops. Hallelujah.

Of course, if you still haven’t gotten your own sewing machine, you can check out the incredible summer dresses at Greenloop, made from organic cotton, bamboo, tencel, and recycled materials.

There’s no greener way for an eco fashion maven to refresh the wardrobe than to reuse and revamp what you already have. Rob and Corinne of Threadbanger, the Quintessential Web TV Heroes Of DIY (that’s an original moniker), are going to show you how to make flip flops out of an old yoga mat. No way. Way. Check this out-it’s shockingly easy.

Now, on the off chance you find this video absolutely fascinating but can not imagine using scissors or a glue gun to craft your very own footwear, you can always purchase some eco flip flops that do not require assembly. Ladies, take a look at the Simple’s Cushee hemp sandals (I love the aquamarine myself.) Guys, take a gander at Splaff Flops made of recycled car tires…very manly.

And whatever way you decide to get your flop on this summer, make sure to enjoy some of the many gorgeous natural places in your area. I mean, you’re changing your purchasing habits to benefit wildlife habitats around the world, now get out there and savor them before summer’s over!

Though Rabia Z.’s modern take on Islamic fashion is by no means centered around sustainable fabrics, we had to include her here at In The Loop for her efforts to sustain the dignity of women devoted to their faith. The makers of centuries-old long robes worn by Muslim women, called abaya, have been slow to catch up with modern fashion trends. This has led many Islamic women to give up any opportunity to express themselves through their clothing outside of their own homes. A serious clash of faith and fashion? How awful!

Thankfully, designer Rabia Z. has turned things around with her latest collection of gorgeous abaya, head-turning hijab, and athletically-inspired tunics. Rabia won the “Emerging Talent” award of Dubai Fashion Week for her Spring/Summer 2008 collection. She has brought positive attention to women committed to their Muslim faith, which is so very needed these days. Rabia might even make non-Muslims want to rock her style. (I’m skipping this look for sultry Summer ‘08, but will definitely be copping her looks for Fall, hijab and all.) Check her out on Current TV…

Tierra Forte of Del Forte denim was featured recently on The Sundance Channel’s The Green, and for good reason. Tierra has been deeply involved in the greening of the fashion industry, from her partnership with the Sustainable Cotton Project to provide education on organic farming to agricultural workers to her cutting edge denim recycling program, Rejeaneration. Del Forte’s 100% organic cotton denim line is Made In The USA. Get a behind-the-scenes peek at Tierra’s factory in El Paso, TX…

Hello DIY fashion superstars! As the final week of Greenloop’s ReShirt Cutting Contest waxes on, we thought it’d be great to give you some more inspiring video footage from the lovely folks at Threadheads. Host Corrine Leigh snips and ties her way from a t-shirt into a sexy tanktop in just a few minutes! It’s totally worth checking out.
You still have a couple of days to get moving before ReShirt’s May 23rd deadline, so get those scissors out and recycle those old T’s for a $300 gift certificate from Greenloop and a virtual styling session from style guru, Barbra Horowitz!

Warning: If you are opposed to foul language-beware! There’s a moment in this video where two sock puppets get very angry at each other over some money issues and use questionable language with one another…It brings new meaning to the term “dirty socks.”