For years, the crème de la crème of American foodies have feasted on locally-raised dishes presented by “farm-to-table” restaurants around the country. These leaders in gastro-sustainability have cut out the middlemen and gone straight to the farmer for the best selection and pricing on organic local produce and meat. The Farm-To-Table movement has bolstered the number of American family farms while ensuring the highest quality product for culinary connoisseurs. In 2009, this trend is actually spreading from a culinary circles to catwalks.

At the upcoming Portland Fashion Week, eco fashion eminence Anna Cohen will be presenting an entirely new concept for both the worlds of fashion and sustainability: Ranch-To-Runway. Through her visionary partnership with the Imperial Stock Ranch in Shaniko, Oregon, Anna Cohen is bringing the highest quality sustainable wool to her fashion-forward clientele while enriching the lives of ecologically sound local ranchers.

Though fashionistas and farmers make a unique juxtaposition, both stand to benefit grandly if Anna’s concept catches fire. Perhaps we’re right around the corner from Cavalli cattle ranches and Comme des Garçons cotton farms. If not, we’re at least that much closer to being right around the corner from where our clothes come from, thanks to Anna Cohen.

The Imperial Collection by Anna Cohen will premiere Sunday, October 11th at 8pm at the Vigor Industrial Shipyard; arrive at 6 for the pre-party.

If you’re interested in experiencing your own version of Ranch-To-Runway, take a gorgeous 2-hour drive through the Oregon countryside for a stunning tour of the Imperial Stock Ranch before hitting Anna’s show on Sunday night.

Shoemakers over the past fifty years have come to rely heavily on harsh chemical glues, dyes, and leather treatments to mass produce footwear. There are certainly a few eco superstars crafting truly sustainable shoes, like the Green Toe line from Simple Shoes and the handmade sandals from Chicago-based Mohop. What these lines don’t provide much of is the hot factor. For many years, fashionistas have tossed aside their well-meaning desires to save the planet in the search for a pair of hot shoes for a date, cocktail party, or those random moments when a trip to the grocery store requires four-inch stilettos to get the job done. Now at long last, Animal Planet-obsessed fashion hounds have an answer to their footwear needs…

Beyond Skin has created a line of uber fabulous footwear that is stitched, lasted and finished by hand in a small, family-run factory in East London. Started by Brit makeup artist Natalie Dean back in 2001 in an effort to create stylish vegan shoes, Beyond Skin has evolved over the years from just cruelty-free to eco-conscious, too. So often, vegan-centric shoe lines are manufactured with tons of attention paid to saving animals from the slaughterhouse and zero attention paid to preserving the environment in which the animals live.

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.

Hot off the sewing station for Summer 2008 is Sublet Clothing, the newly launched sustainable clothing line that eco fashion industry folks can’t wait to get their hands on (and their bodies into!) These fresh, resort-ready pieces from Sublet are crafted from organic cotton, bamboo, and just a smidgeon of spandex, right in the heart of New York City.

The women behind Sublet, Inessah and Tara, see Sublet Clothing as a means for positive social change. They take care to source and manufacture their garments in a socially and environmentally responsible way. They believe the effect Sublet Clothing has, on the environment and the people who inhabit it, needs to be a positive one.

Well, better get them before they’re gone ladies, because these stunning garments are going to make you feel like a Grecian goddess all Summer long.

Eco swimwear is not the easiest thing to find. Clearly your most sustainable choice for a bikini is the classic favorite you already own. Next in line comes the vintage piece from your favorite consignment shop. Now, if last year’s favorite is pilled to the point of embarassment and there is no to-die-for 60′s one piece lying dorment at your local vintage store, then guess what? It’s time to go shopping!

Not to be missed this season for all those who do not plan on spending over $100 for the tiniest garment they own-Rogan Gregory the Great will be debuting his organic summer line for Target on May 18th. There will be a few sophisticated suits up for grabs as this big box chain dips its toes into eco fashion.

Urban Outfitters will soon be selling bright patterned bikinis made of 100% recycled plastic by Aaron Chang. Not only are his bikinis eco-fabulous, all of his shorts, tops, and cover-ups are 100% organic cotton. Aaron doesn’t stop at manufacturing when it comes to sustainable business practices-all of his hangtags, catalogs and marketing materials are made of certified recycled paper. Currently, Aaron Chang can be found at Victoria’s Secret…hopefully he’s showing Victoria a thing or two about using recycled paper in her catalogs.

Tropi-Ties has a smokin’ hot bikini made from hemp and cotton, with bamboo ring details. It is their only eco-friendly swimsuit for 2008. Ideally, this sexy suit will be a massive success and inspire Tropi-Ties to expand their sustainable swimwear for ’09.

This Summer, dudes can get eco board shorts from uber cool skate and surf supplier Volcom. Their V.Co-Logical line is manufactured with sustainablity and style equally in mind. These ‘Hemped Up Mod’ swim trunks are made of hemp and recycled polyester. Sorry girls, no V.Co-Logical for you yet! When it comes to Volcom, the guys (for once), win out on ethical options.

This is truly all we could find for now, but we will of course keep you In The Loop of fresh eco swimwear as the Summer 2008 lines roll out!