One of the greatest positive impacts we can make on the planet is through how we build our buildings. Global Green USA is dedicated to just that by educating homeowners, developers, and government on how to build structures that are energy efficient, conserve water resources, and limit toxic building materials. Last Tuesday in San Francisco, the posh 4th Annual Gorgeous & Green gala raised over $250,000 for the organization. In more ways than one, that makes for some for serious green.

Tomorrow night in San Francisco, Global Green USA is holding their 4th Annual Gorgeous & Green benefit. This celebrity-studded event at the stunning Bently Reserve is co-hosted by Kate Bosworth, along with Jason Lewis, Daphne Zuniga, and Bay Area darling, Michael Franti. Chairing the benefit is Matt Petersen of Global Green, Nadine Weil from Heart of Green, and Zem Joaquin of ecofabulous.com, who has pulled out all the stops to make the event well, ecofabulous.

There will be spa treatments by International Orange, Jane Iredale, and Juice Beauty, food by O Organics, artisanal wines by Iron Horse and Newton Vineyard, organic spirits by VeeV and Square One, and an eco fashion show featuring sustainable designs by Stewart + Brown, Bahar Shahpar, EDUN, Lara Miller, Del Forte Denim, Eco Citizen Boutique, Loyale, Thomas-Ray Eccles, John Patrick Organic, Linda Loudermilk, Cari Borja, Juleselin, Larsen Grey, Loomstate, Sara Shepherd, shoes by Charmone, Cri de Coeur, Olsen Haus, and jewelry by Amber Marie Bently.

Portland Fashion Week is here once again, and we at Greenloop are of course, quite excited about our hometown’s big green fashion event. Last year, we saw heavyhitters of eco fashion, like Anna Cohen, Stewart + Brown, Del Forte, and NatureVsFuture strut their stuff on the emerald catwalk. In 2008, Nike Considered returns as a sponsor and designer at the event. Another PDX native, Sameunderneath, is returning with their sustainable ready to wear line and egalitarian message, along with IDOM and Alula. Tons of fresh faces are hitting the 2008 runways along with the PFW veterans, like Collier, Salvationware, Revival Clothing, In Harmony, and Strung Out by Peniche. All will be showing their Spring/Summer collections for 2009, and all will be vying for the attention of buyers and press alike.

Portland Fashion Week is the only fashion week in the US completely devoted to sustainable designers; sustainable fashion means sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, and/or shipping in ways that are the most considerate of the ecologies and communities they effect in the process. PFW focuses mostly on the talent of indie designers, and aims to give these emerging business owners a leg up in the fashion world by making the show very affordable to participate in. PFW also seeks to draw national attention to this gorgeous city itself, and it’s unique blend of art, commerce, and sustainability. Portland is indeed a lush, green metropolis devoted to artisanship and strong community, making PFW the ideal scene for Portland’s design mavens to show the world what they got. The event runs from October 8th-12th at the Portland Design Center in the 14 Square building of Portland’s posh Pearl District.

There was a time back in the early 90′s when I thought a midriff length shirt was hot…really hot. I used to rock baggy jeans and sneakers with just a sports bra, like I was in TLC or something. I have noticed over the years, that many of the fashions I chose to wear as a teenager are the exact opposite now (thank goodness), including my shirts. I love them long. It’s not that I’m embarassed of my stomach, it thankfully hasn’t changed a bit. I just don’t want to share my bellybutton with my bank clerk or my landlord…unless I’m trying to get some sort of deal or something. Just kidding!

I used to have to search high and low for tops that didn’t expose my little four-pack, but to no avail. During the big low rise craze, shorter shirts were all you could find and women were completely unable to mask their crack problems (and I don’t mean cocaine.) In Fall 2008, fashion is following function once again. The lengthened tee is a welcome trend that has been trickling forth for the last few years and has finally caught fire. Now you can relax tummy muscles and save your hot body for only the people that really deserve to see it-like Gael Garcia-Bernal or Johnny Depp or Angelina Jolie or Taye Diggs or…you get me.

The end of Summer is soon approaching, so now is the the time to get totally tanked…organically, of course. Greenloop has some rockin’ organic tanks by Toggery, Pursuit Of Harmony, and Stewart + Brown. These cute pieces can top off your last moment with shorts-shorts for the summer season or bring a little funk to your be-blazered fall ensembles; they’re all about versatility. From sophisticated to sexy to simple, these tanks are the bomb!