So says Johanna Björk, and well, she know what she’s talking about.  Check out her regular column, On Trend, at Ecosalon, and enjoy her savvy, sustainable picks and trend spotting, such as her most recent – LumberJack Girl, where she pulls together an ensemble of chic yet forest-sensible gear, including stirrup (yes, stirrup) leggings from perennial favorite organic staples brand, PI Organic; a feminine take on the bulky plaid button down by Anna Check, and Dace Cassidy wool trench, among other picks.  For those of us ‘pull it together’ challenged, Johanna’s picks help keep us looking at least just shy of dowdy.

Photo and article discussed from The Huffington Post: Starre Vartan in the audience.

Starre Vartan, eco-fashion blogger extraordinaire, and author of the book, ” The Eco-Chick Guide to Life: How to Be Fabulously Green“, shares the inside scoop on her recent attendance at the “Is the Future of Fashion Green” discussion.  As always, Starre is a steadfast supporter and dare I say champion of sustainable fashion.  Starre and I see eye to eye on this issue, that eco-fashion is one, very visible piece in a greener, more sustainable lifestyle where dedicated  hands & hearts are making change, often most visibly and most poignantly, from the bottom up.  Her response to the assertion that only “professionals” and those “in the energy sector” can effect real change is right on, as such a sentiment is not only preposterous, but insulting to all of us out here busting our asses to bring about positive change.  Not to mention, just take a look at the track record.

Yes, cooperation and support is needed from the “big guys”, so to speak, but each of us has the power to contribute and support the development of a more sustainable fashion industry, which can in turn serve as a vehicle for advocacy, not the mention the intrinsic value of converting a notriously wasteful and polluting industry to one with a far smaller ecological footprint.   Read on to see what Starre has to say:

“Having covered ecofashion designers for four years now on my blog and having written a book discussing ways to live green (including supporting ecofashion), I was interested and excited to attend the “Is the Future of Fashion Green” discussion recently held at SoHo House in association with the NY Salon.

The crowd, despite the subject matter, was definitely not filled with agreeable zombies nodding in blind acceptance as Bruno might have us believe about fashion-industry folks. No, instead this was a real salon-style dialog (attendees were heartily encouraged to participate, and they did), which included disagreements, tangents, and departures, and some difficult but worthwhile issues were raised. The intellectual wranglings were, however, made by a crowd was also obviously quite involved with fashion; most who sat in designer chairs and perched upon overstuffed couches, or even lounged on the floor- were dressed a la mode.

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!

These are the most adorable sneaker-flat-tennies you’ve ever laid your eyes on. Not only that, they are a shining example of sustainable manufacturing to boot…or to sneaker. The uppers are made of hemp, the lining is organic cotton, and the outsole is made of recycled car tires. Even the box they come in is made of 100% post consumer recycled material. Yes, Simple Shoes is not messing around when it comes to using the word “eco” for their line of ecoSneaks. They’re taking it all the way and making them super cute and comfortable. How can we say no to that?

Treehugger has interviewed Kate Fletcher, a highly respected pioneer in the eco-fashion industry about her new book, Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys. According to Treehugger, she has worked on developing sustainability in fashion and textiles since the early 1990′s, she is widely published on the topics of ecodesign in fashion and textiles, she has advised many well well known eco labels, including: Marks and Spencer, Chelsea College of Art & Design, People Tree, Intermediate Technology Development Group and The Salvation Army. Kate has also deep dived into the topic on her own via her pet projects 5 Ways, Demi, and The Perfect T-shirt. Most recently, she published her first book, ‘Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys‘, which hit shelves earlier this year. The book grapples with the importance and complexity of eco-fashion from the ground up (literally) and takes our understanding of this subject to new levels. Read the interview here. You can also read TH’s review of Kate’s book here. Kate also consulted extensively for a group called Leaf Certified, (you will not be able to view their site yet until they go live) a group Greenloop will be working with very closely in near future. Stay tuned!

Though I have yet to meet her, I think Kate Fletcher and I have long been on the same page. When I founded Greenloop, before I even knew Kate was out there, I did it based on the notion that fashion can be a powerful vehicle for change and market based environmental advocacy. It is a highly visible, accessible way to start a conversation about a topic that is a part of our every day lives and self expression. Wear it. Share it. Give it. Talk about it. It’s working…