If you  haven’t heard of them, you soon will, all the way down to their innovative supply chain, which involves nothing new, literally.  “Launched in September 2009, Looptworks is a ground-breaking business that repurposes abandoned materials into meaningful, long-lasting and limited-edition products. By re-using the world’s pre-consumer excess, the U.S.-based company aims to rid the world of waste while inspiring a generation to reduce their impact on the planet. The inaugural line includes jackets hoodies, skirts, shirts and graphic t-shirts for both men and women.”

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.”

I was recently introduced to Mola boots and shoes, my attention immediately grabbed by the vibrant colors and patterns of vibrant, one-of-a kind, vegan, fair trade shoes being produced by The Aware Network. What’s Mola? Mola is a traditional Central and South American art form consisting of intricately layered textile art, hand-stitched Mola is created by the women of the Kuna tribe of Panama and Colombia.

Jasmine Wallace and Daniel Rawson created Mola shoes because they wanted to walk the talk, so to speak. Jasmine’s mother is Colombian, a heritage Jasmine is closely connected with and inspired by, and which led to this project. They felt Mola shoes could be a great alternative to mass produced big brands, and a way they could contribute to society along socially ethical, eco-conscious and spiritually fulfilling lines.

Every truly thrifty fashionista knows how to transform a superfly men’s XXL t-shirt into a clubworthy frock, top, scarf, skirt, headband or belt, but few know how to do it with as much sheer brilliance as Carmia Marshall and Carmen Webber. These scissor sistas launched the ill custom vintage t-shirt line Sistahs of Harlem back in 2001, selling at street festivals and flea markets throughout New York City.

Since then, their designs have exploded onto the couture scene, gracing the pages of Nylon and Honey, as well as the wardrobes of stylish sirens like Erykah Badu and Alicia Keyes. Carmen also appeared as a designer on Season 4 of Project Runway. These women are gonna show you eco-stylistas some fresh ways to upcycle your ex-boyfriend’s leftovers into new spicy datewear, cuz when it comes to tired clothes or men, sometimes you just have to say-NEXT! …And let’s make sure it’s going to be an upgrade, am I right ladies? Check out Carmia’s how-to on the sexy “Keisha Tee” on Threadbanger, In The Loop’s favorite web tv show for DIY-lovers.

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 is something inspiring about seeing just how creative designers can be in their materials selection. What really does it for me though are end-use products made possible by dipping into the waste stream…quite literally in some cases. Let’s talk trash…as it applies to fashion.

While they may not be totally practical for a day at the office, or even a night on the town, I’ve seen some amazing artistry come forth in dress form from some very unlikely materials. Take, for example, this little strapless number made entirely from recycled food bar wrappers collected an airplane flight. I love the banded top and the detail at the hemline from the overlapping wrappers. Do you think she’s afraid of giving the cab driver a little more tip than he bargained for should a few of those wrappers take flight?

Makes you think twice about where your Cliff bar wrapper might end up.