The term “It Girl” was first coined by Elinor Glyn in 1927 to characterize up-and-coming starlet Clara Bow. Glyn, a well known novelist and screenwriter of the times, boldly described her new turn of phrase, ‘”IT’ is that quality possessed by some which draws all others with its magnetic force. With “IT” you win all men if you are a woman, all women if you are a man. “IT” can be a quality of the mind as well as a physical attraction.”

An “IT Girl” for the Green Movement is currently being sought out through the Project Green Search contest. Masterminded by Greenloop’s Aysia Wright and fashion maven Remy Chevalier, the contest is searching for more than a green model, they’re looking for “an all around green model citizen.” a quest for more than just a model, they are hoping for more of a model citizen. They’re looking for “the woman who wants to take a stand, get noticed, and align her career endeavors with her personal beliefs, to be an advocate for the environment, animal welfare, fair trade, and human rights.”

The judges are a who’s who of eco fashion and beauty superstars, including Alter Eco host Darren Moore, model-activist Summer Rayne Oakes, Eco Chick blogger and published author Starre Vartan, model and organic cosmetic line creator Josie Maran, talent manager and eco fashion design queen Deborah Lindquist, amongst others.

Aysia recently pondered what role models can play in the preservation of the environment.” Fashion is a very visible, tangible expression of where a society is at any given time…Models create an image that men and women aspire to emulate. Combined, fashion and the models who portray them, present a powerful vehicle for changing, using these mediums of expression to start a conversation about environmental and social responsibility, serving as a catalyst for change both within an industry that has long been callous to both human and planetary suffering. On an individual scale, each of us can use fashion as a mode of self expression, both aesthetically and ethically, choosing to support companies that are responsible and ethical in their practices, and spreading awareness through talking, one person to the next, about the stories behind the pieces we wear.”

If it sounds like this job’s for you, register immediately-the submission period ends October 11th. Good luck ladies!

In The Loop wants to thank Magda Rod, owner of  the amazing Visionary Boutique on 5285 W. Pico Boulevard, for hosting this month’s Los Angeles Greendrinks. If you’re in LA on Thursday August 20th, don’t miss it, it starts at 7pm.

See Visionary on AlterEco video clip.

Aysia Wright is flying down from Portland to LA to meet with four of our Project Green Search judges who will be on hand to give a press conference announcing a series of open casting calls where green models, or models wishing to start pursuing green avenues in their career, can learn more about our project.

Omniquest Media – Michael Kaliski
Friday: August 21. 11am to 1pm
1416 N. La Brea Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028
323.802.1630

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure  in the world of fashion these days. Due to the growing awareness of the planet’s limited resources and the encroaching recession, Americans are reusing clothing more than ever. From high end fashion designers incorporating fine antique fabrics into their frocks or frugal shoppers searching out affordable well made clothing (when was the last time you saw those four words in a row), vintage is becoming de rigeur once again.

As droves of designers become hip to their significant impact on the environment, they are on the lookout for vintage, surplus, and reclaimed fabrics. One of the most polished couturiers using vintage fabrics today is LA-based Deborah Lindquist. She is able to recycle cashmere sweaters into runway-ready creations, fit with iconic handcut appliqúes, original antique beadwork, and bohemian chic for days. Deborah’s Fall ’09 collection is dubbed Goth Girl Goes To The Country, and she weaves everything from vintage kimonos to scarves to wool skirts into stunning wedding gowns, corsets, and prêt-è-porter separates.

Aside from Deborah Lindquist, there’s a handful of vintage vixens throughout LA, but most of them are owners of infamous vintage shops like Wasteland and Resurrection. Alas though, when it comes to vintage shopping, barring the celebrity clientele thrifting on Melrose and Hollywood Boulevard, LA simply can’t compare to her northerly neighbor of Portland, Oregon. There are more thrift shops per capita here than any other place in the US. And the woman you need to show you the best spots in town? Lulu.

Lulu, aka Anne Weiland, keeps thrifty shoppers in the loop with her comprehensive guide ShopVintagePortland.com. She recently explained to Eva Wiseman of The Guardian UK, “Vintage fashion is huge in Portland,” Lulu says, “because there are so many creative people who move here for the music and arts scene, lots of artists, and designers and fanzine makers, lots of people who have transplanted from New York to find a more mellow pace of life. Plus the eco thing is so important here. People want to reduce, reuse and recycle, and by buying vintage they are doing their part for the environment.”

Can I get a “hallelujah, finally”?!

Your favorite ladies deserve to be treated like queens on Valentine’s Day, and that includes Mother Earth. At least one, if not all, of these eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts will make your wife, Mom, best friend, sister, boss, girlfriend, or weekend fling extremely happy. And if you must get something for all of them, it’s really not hard to do with these extremely affordable options.

Crown Your Eco Queen

Still chilly in your neck of the woods? Crown your favorite queen with the chic cashmere cap by legendary eco couture designer Deborah Lindquist. This adorable, super soft hat is made in the USA from 100% recycled cashmere sweaters to keep those regal ladies in your life super toasty. And you know what’s even better than a cute couture hat that’s sustainably made? The fact that it’s majorly on sale. Happy lady, happy wallet, Happy Valentine’s Day! $55 (Down from $110)

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Regift

Who knew regifting for Valentine’s Day could be so cool? Art meets eco meets technology with these beautiful crimson and orange hearts by Heart Is Hot. Made in the US from 100% recycled glass, each HIH piece is etched with its own individual number, the epic flower of life symbol, and the Heart Is Hot web address. What makes these so cool is that everyone who gives or receives this heart logs on to HeartIsHot.com and tells their story of how it came into their life and what inspired them to pass it on to the next person. The physical journey of each traveling heart is tracked at HeartIsHot.com, using a custom Google map, and each piece has an archive of “heart stories“  associated with it that anyone can go to the site and read. These make the perfect gift for those people in your life who are huge romantics, big supporters of conscious commerce, need a deeply heartfelt gift, or just really love a good story. As Heart Is Hot founder Sahara Damore says, “Heart Is Hot represents re-gifting at its finest.” $24.99 ($2 of which is donated to the Unstoppable Giving Foundation…this gift really keeps on giving!)

Ashley Van Dyke is a fashion model, high speed race car driver, and if you don’t beleive me, check out the YouTube clip below. So much for women having poor hand-eye coordination. Ashley is part of this new crop of female automotive thrill seekers making their way into the racing circuit. But she’s also a green girl! We met at the Tesla Motors showroom and took the roadster out for its paces. You can read all about it on the Electrifying Times website.

Ashley wanted to attend the Coco Eco magazine launch party at the Designers & Agents Green Market but she had a previous engagement at a charity function. It was great meeting all the people I’d been working with for the last few months in person. I’d hooked up with Anna Griffin on MySpace, Courtney Dailey on Model Mayhem, and discovered Emma Pezzack’s FutureNatural on a CT blog. We all shared the same mission, taking green to the next level. I introduced them to each other and they formed the core team of what is now the first all green editorial fashion studio in Hollywood.