All the way down to their notions (buttons, thread and the like), Looptworks sources everything from existing materials, all limited run, with a pretty darn fast production turn around time.  They may not fit into conventional systems for evaluating supply chains, as some of their materials simply can’t be traced back to their source, but in their opinion, which I share, it sure beats that material ending up in a landfill. “Looptworks has turned the way traditional apparel companies manufacture cool clothing inside out: Instead of designing collections more than a year in advance, Looptworks shortens the development cycle to weeks. Instead of using the world’s limited resources to manufacture brand new fabrics, Looptworks uses top-quality, excess materials and components that already exist. Instead of producing huge flash-fashion seasonal collections like traditional apparel manufacturers, Looptworks offers fresh, numbered, limited-edition eco-friendly clothing.”

Looptworks designs are well made, enduring, with an aesthetic that can withstand season and after season of fickle trends.  The materials are evaluated for longevity and wear and the fit is good.  It’s also pretty amazing the amount of resources that can be saved by simply using existing materials.  ” For example, at least 400 gallons of water are used to manufacture one shirt. The fabric that is not used in production is left over excess and often discarded, adding to the 60,000 pounds of pre-consumer waste produced by one vertical textile factory every week.”

It’s also unlikely that you’ll see your favorite Looptworks shirt on someone else, given the low number made of each style.  Score one for the unique you.  “With a traditional apparel manufacturer, 3600 other people might purchase the same exact product, a quantity that represents a typical factory minimum. Looptworks limits what it can produce based on the amount of materials leftover. Typically this means that there will be no more than 500 of any given style. Each one is hand-numbered making it indeed a one-of-a-kind collectible.”

They’ve got some pretty sweet options in the gift giving department.  I’d be quite pleased to house my iPad in this Shan Envelop Sleeve ($28), or stash my camera in a Hayiue Camera Case ($22) and because everyone loves a hoody (just about) the Silvan Hoody ($75)offers an aesthetically appealing departure from the norm while still meeting all requirements of the hooded for comfort and warmth.  I think  I’ve got a case of upcycled, love.

Eco-style shoppers rejoice!  LovingEco, a new members only eco grounded flash-sale website (but not too fast…each sale lasts are few days for good peruse & reflect time) has launched, featuring a hand-picked selection of style centric fashion, accessories and beauty for women and children, from the bests  brands out there, at savings up to 70% off!

“LovingEco makes shopping for the best natural and eco-friendly products fun, easy and affordable, so women feel good about shopping by leveraging social commerce and flash sales; partnering with tastemakers who will promote the offers and brands; and giving back to charity.”

Enter code DISCOUNT10 at checkout for an additional 10% off some serious deals from some of our long term favorite brands, like Stewart+Brown, SIGG, Eberjay, & Sustainable Kids, with new sales twice a week.

Jewelry designer John Hardy is teaming up with supermodel and Alter Eco star Angela Lindvall to launch “Hijau Dua,” a handcrafted collection of jewelry made with recycled sterling silver or 18k gold.

As part of the “Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo” program, for each piece of jewelry purchased, the brand will plant bamboo seedlings to offset the carbon emissions used for travel and advertising.  Lindvall recently visited Bali, where John Hardy is based, to help plant 600,000 bamboo seedlings for the Bali Province Government’s “Bali Clean and Green” program and model in the John Hardy advertising campaign. Hear from Lindvall in a behind-the-scenes video, and the full article by Emma Grady on Treehugger.com

Photo Credit: Originally posted on Treehugger: John Hardy Creative Director Guy Bedarida and supermodel Angela Lindvall in Bali. Photos: courtesy John Hardy

A solid round-up of modest picks for the  modern woman from Just Like Molly:

Organic clothing has come a long way since it’s inception as a hippie, hemp laden uniform. Sustainability is at the forefront of green living, and a huge part of being environmentally conscious lands on what you put on your body. Organic, natural fabrics have made their way into the fashion landscape, and for good reason. Not only are these pieces minimizing the damage the process of manufacturing and wearing clothes can do to the environment, they are helping to secure the hope of a greener planet in each step of the apparel process. And of course they are fashionable, comfortable, and you can feel great wearing them, inside and out.

Read the rest of article here, and check out their picks for outerwear, dresses and everyday staples, that are “anything but mundane”, where …”on-trend harem pants, gathered sleeves, and eye-catching patterns make infusing these tops and bottoms into your look effortless and rewarding.”

Photo Credit: Raw Earth Wild Sky at BTC Elements.

View entire post by Ecouterre here: College Activists Strip Down to PACT’s “Beyond Coal” Eco-Undies …

Ummm…what can we say? Two Florida college students wanted to create an eco-friendly underwear line. Uranus Apparel produces boyshorts made from soy, hence the nickname “soyshorts.” Soy requires less water, is more durable, and dries more quickly than cotton. It’s also super soft which is great for, ya know. (Excuse my cheekiness.) Out of all the viral vids the founders have put out on YouTube, the one above is our favorite. It has a bit of an Art Haus kind of feel to it. Enjoy Uranus!

The latest fall trend is embracing all that’s good about looking “bad.” It falls somewhere between Joan Jett and Hell’s Angels and relies heavily on leather, spikes, and chains. At first glance, it is not a trend that appears to lend itself to the green way of life. But, look a little closer and you will find that these eco fashion essentials will let you look tough, while maintaining your soft spot for the planet. Rock on!

Read more at WhiteApricot.com…

Thank goodness Stephanie Rogers is here to tell us about non-toxic nail polish! No more looks from the manicurist when I tell them “no polish please.” Even a treehugger like me can be Priti after all.

I’m in love – with nail polish. A few years ago, I all but gave up on the idea of ever having a nice-looking manicure again after swearing off conventional polishes full of toxic ingredients and experimenting unsuccessfully with the few ‘natural’ nail polish brands on the market.

Then, I found out about Priti NYC, a boutique brand created by Kim D’Amato. Priti polishes contain no toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or petroleum ingredients and are safe for children and mothers-to-be.

Read more about Priti NYC at EcoChick.com…