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”?!

Don’t know what to wear tomorrow to one of the thousands of Inauguration Day parties happening across the country? Our favorite DIY icons, Rob and Corinne of Threadheads, show us how to upcycle plastic to-go containers into Obama shrinky dink earrings, transform old t-shirts into edgy Barackwear, and even repurpose unused office supplies into Presidential stencils. Go ahead, fashionistas-Barack it out!

Warning: Recycling plastic-good. Toxic fumes-bad. Keep windows open when baking recycled plastic into new baubles!

Greenloop’s 1st Annual ReShirt Contest has come to a close. Each contestant had to take a t-shirt they already owned, and with only snipping and tying techniques, refashion their T into an original one-of-a-kind creation. The Winner issssssssss……drum roll……deep breath……hold it……..issssssss…..Angelina Schneider of Long Beach, CA! She has won a $300 gift certificate from Greenloop and a 30-minute virtual styling session from celebrity stylist Barbra Horowitz! Angelina’s design used a free oversized Legalize LA shirt from American Apparel’s campaign to ease the bureaucracy that immigrants must face to work legally in the US.

This 31-year-old Cal State dance student sliced open the back to fashion a corset-like closure, turning the men’s t-shirt into a sexy one-of-a-kind for the stage, club, beach, or BBQ. By removing the bottom four inches of fabric from the shirt, Angelina was able to create a detachable bustle, which she tied around her waist. Apparently the bustle can also be attached at the neck for an 1880′s meets the 1980′s Hot For Teacher look. Spicy!

In close 2nd, was Chelsea Ferrette, hailing from our nation’s capital. An attorney by day and crafter by night, Chelsea rocked her DC pride with the redo of this DC Scores Cup “Sharks Vs. Suits” commemorative T from 2007. In addition to some ultra feminine split sleeves, Chelsea worked magic by weaving a gathered seam under the bust on this (now) bangin’ number. Though this is the first t-Shirt Chelsea has reworked without using needle and thread, you’d never know. As the 2nd place winner, she has won Barbra Horowitz’s style bible, Closet Control, and a $50 gift certificate to Greenloop!

And from Greenloop’s home state of Oregon, comes Jennifer Osawa’s standout Angel Dress for 3rd place! This stay-at-home mom has two daughters (14 months and 2 years). Reflecting on her involvement in ReShirt, Jennifer stated, “I do what I can to be environmentally conscious, but find myself running into the edges of our budget often. I am always on the lookout for things I can do to be green. Limiting my family’s carbon footprint is important to me…I want my children to respect and enjoy our world and all living things. For this dress I used a bunch of old stained onesies that I didn’t know what to do with, along with some scraps from my other reshirt project. I love how it turned out.” Well, it looks like Jennifer’s daughter loved how it turned out as well…this whimsical recycled fairy dress is adorable on her! Jennifer is walking away with a copy of Closet Control and a $25 gift certificate to Greenloop.

Honorable mentions go out to Marina Diehl who crafted a gorgeous dress out of her Dad’s old T’s, but couldn’t win because there were some details she created by sewing-Marina’s a rebel, what can we say? Another honorable mention goes out to Kelly Schirm of Portland who created a sassy belted look and turned old T to hot T. Also, shout outs to Jennifer Sweckard and Wendy Morgan for their nice detailing work.

Aysia Wright, owner of Greenloop and ReShirt’s primary judge, was extremely pleased with the outcome of the first ReShirt Contest. “The best part for me was that the contestants were so excited to participate and thankful for the opportunity to do so. Its great fun to see people exercise their creativity, and it was a great opportunity to demonstrate ‘upcycling’ in action as well. There is quite a bit of potential gathering dust in most people’s closets. All they need is a little inspiration to get started.” Well, inspiration is indeed what Aysia and Barbra manifested with this collaborative contest. Thanks to all those who participated, and to the big winners-happy shopping!

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.”

Fame and fortune people! This is the final week for Greenloop’s ReShirt Cutting Contest. All you need is a pair of scissors, an old t-shirt, a camera, and your imagination to get a chance to win a $300 gift certificate from Greenloop and a 30-minute virtual styling session from celebrity stylist Barbra Horowitz. Not only that, but all winners’ work will be featured right here on In The Loop!

Do you love reworking your old pieces to make something hot for the club or office? Do you have piles of shirts in your closet begging for a purpose? Give those ill fitting t-shirts from days gone by a serious revamp and enter ReShirt today!

Check out these prizes…

• Winner: $300 Greenloop Gift Certificate and a 30 minute FREE style consultation with celebrity stylist Barbra Horowitz
• 1st runner up: Copy of Closet Control by Barbra Horowitz and $50 Greenloop Gift Certificate
• 2nd runner up: Copy of Closet Control by Barbra Horowitz and $25 Greenloop Gift Certificate
• All 3 winners will be reviewed and posted here on Greenloop’s In The Loop…fame and fortune could be yours all with just the snip of your scissors!

Contest Rules:

1. You must reuse a t-shirt you already own, nothing new please.

2. The redesign process should only include cutting and tying techniques. For our inaugural ReShirt contest, there will be no dyeing, silkscreening, or sewing.

3. All participants must be US residents over the age 18.

4. The contest runs from today, Friday, April 25th, through Friday, May 23rd. All submissions must be received no later than 12:00 midnight on Friday, May 16th,2008

5. Design submissions are to photographed and submitted via email to aysia[at]thegreenloop.com. Please submit 4 photos: front and back shots of the t-shirt both on a person and lying flat on a surface. Biography about the designer must be submitted with the entries, limited to 500 words, and must contain email, address and telephone contact information.