DC FASHION EVENT: Mother Earth, Earth Day & Carbon Boutique

Mother Earth Inspirations: Earth Day Eco-Fashion Show with Sexy, Sustainable Fashion

How do we honor Earth Day? Some people resolve to start recycling more, greenies update their Facebook status with sustainable tips, article links and witty green-inspired comments, businesses show their corporate social responsibility in the form of events and outreach to their staff, and our nation’s capital holds a large Earth Day celebration on the National Mall...

Rather than limit our recognition to one day, we can reduce our carbon footprint throughout the year by incorporating sustainable habits into our daily routine, such as shopping more sustainably - beginning with our wardrobe. “Green fashion” doesn't necessarily mean bamboo tees and hemp shorts. Go green with a growing list of emerging designers who use alternative fabrics and/or toxic-free production methods to produce stylish, innovative, and functional apparel, shoes, and accessories. Carbon boutique can help you get started.

Join Carbon boutique, 2643 Connecticut Ave NW in Woodley Park on Friday, April 22, 2011 from 6:00pm-9:00pm, for an eco-fashion experience. Meet Auralis Herrero, of Auralis Studios, a New York-based eco-fashion artist featured in New York Fashion Week September 2010.

Auralis’ brand is committed to sustainable practices that are considerate to the planet. They pride themselves in making beautifully designed, timeless pieces that are also practical and fashion forward. They use organic, sustainable, natural or recycled fabrics only. Also featured will be Filili, accessories whose earrings and necklaces are hand crafted using wire and recycled fabrics - making each piece one-of-a-kind.

Get an exclusive look at their 2011 spring collections for the first time in Washington, DC while enjoying organic wine provided by Calypso Organics, browsing Carbon’s sustainable inventory, learning about My Signature Look’s eco-fashion consulting services and possibly treating yourself to that favorite new spring dress!

See Auralis’ Spring collection.

Tickets are available at Earth Day Eco Show. A proceed of ticket sales will benefit DC Treads, a volunteer-founded and volunteer-driven initiative designed to keep the art and science of sewing & stitch crafts alive and well in the Washington metropolitan area.

FASHION LUST: Eco-Friendly and Fabulous

What's better than being eco-fabulous? Thought that you couldn't be both? You are wrong. I have to have these way stylish open-toe bootie by Cri de Coeur. The upper is hemp canvas, which contrasts nicely with the shiny faux patent leather accents, and finished off with a zip-front. A must have for your summer fresh look. Available at Nimli.

FASHION DEAL OF THE DAY: The Lawn Dress

This sexy little eco-friendly number is the Lawn Dress by Stewart + Brown. Guess what? It is ridiculously reduced from $198 to $58. Guess who bought one?

FASHION SPOTLIGHT: Vegan and We Are Lovin' It

Just when you thought vegan-friendly wasn't fashionable, Plasticland proves you wrong. These fabulous shoes are super styligh and vegan-friendly, to boot. The first pair are my absolute favs. You can buy vegan-friendly shoes and keep your fashionista creds.

RANDOM FASHION MOMENT: Thermoelectric Galoshes Charge Your Cell Phone

Just when you think that you have seen everything... you have not. These thermoelectric wellies will charge your phone using the heat from your feet. Gotta love that! Get shopping information at Ecouterre.

Fashion Lust: There's Nothing Simple About These Shoes

As eco-friendly goes, I am lovin' these cute shoes by Simple Shoes. This is their Women's D-Kay - Recycled PET Blend in magenta. So cute!

Eco-Designer Spotlight: Econscious Market & Cherry Berry Handbags

Eco-friendly and socially responsible clothing and accessories do not have to be boring. Thanks to Econscious Market, you can easily find gorgeous items that are not only eco-friendly but you can donate 10% of your purchase to a non-profit organization using their nifty "Choose Your Charity" drop-down menu. So while perusing their site, I totally fell for these amazing vegan handbags. These bags are super sleek and super chic. You know that you have to have one. If you need to get your hands on an eco-friendly designer handbag or any fabulous eco-friendly clothing item, Econscious Market will surely have something you will love.

Fab Eco-Fashion Find: Pop The Top @ M Henn Designs

This eco-fabulous find is a wallet that is carefully constructed from 144 recycled (and cleaned!) soda tabs, woven together with a combination of satin finish and grosgrain ribbon. Très chic. You can get yours at M Henn Designs for $20.00.

Local Designer Spotlight: The Ecofabulous Uptown Redesigns

Uptown Redesigns is the brainchild of Sandy Philpott. Founded in 2009, Uptown Redesigns reflects her style and practicality, but also demonstrates her resourceful practices that limit waste and reduce unnecessary consumption and stress on our environment. All of Uptown Redesign’s bags are made of previously used leather coats, jeans, and other materials. These items are brought into the studio, cleaned, conditioned, and then redesigned into beautiful and unique products. Ecofabulous, right? I totally love the idea of recycling leather into something as amazing as these bags. Here are my favorites. See her entire collection of eco-friendly bags here.

Etsy Fashion Find: Zelaya

Eco-friendly design shop Zelaya specializes in working with natural and biodegradable fabrics. Here are the results of this work, handbags to die for. I love every one. I could not pick a favorite. Can you? See their entire collection of handbags and clothing here.

Earth Day 2009 - Fashionably Green: Jewelry

What is an outfit without the perfect piece of jewelry? Accessories are key a great look. So here are my choices for the best eco-fashionable jewelry pieces. There were so many to choose from, it was hard to narrow it down. {From top to bottom: Bracelet, Nugaard Designs @ Nimli.com; Necklace, Nugaard Designs @ Nimli.com; Cuff, Nashelle Designs @ Nimli.com; Bracelet, Lucina @ Greenloop.com; Earrings, Lucina @ Greenloop.com; Cuff, Kris Nations Jewelry @ Shopenvi.com; Ring, Kirsten Muenster @ Greenloop.com; Ring, Kezha Hatier @ Nimli.com; Earrings, Kezha Hatier @ Nimli.com; Ring, Jill Italiano @ Nimli.com; Necklace, Jill Italiano @ Nimli.com; Necklace, Malin @ Ecocitizen.com; Ring, Hovey Lee @ Nimli.com; Cuff @ Ecocitizen.com, Earrings, Cizana @ Nimli.com; Bracelet, Betty B @ Nimli.com.

Earth Day 2009 - Fashionably Green: Shoes

Of course the queen of shoes would hunt down the most fashionable shoes available. I was surprised at the wide array of fab eco-friendly shoes. So here are my picks as the best eco-fashionable shoes: {From top to bottom: Wedges, Beyond Skin @ Shopenvi.com; Twins, Camper @ Endless.com; Tigerlilly, Zoe&Zac @ Payless.com; Space, Olsen Haus @ Nimli.com; Snapdragon, Zoe&Zac @ Payless.com; Pelican, Neuaura @ Nimli.com; Laura, Camper @ Endless.com; Kate, Remix Vintage @ Endless.com; Gloria, Remix Vintage @ Endless.com; Peacock shoe, Form&Fauna @ Embodies.com; Pleated Dove shoe, Form&Fauna @ Embodies.com; Estelle, Cri de Coeur @ Endless.com; Erline, Pedro Garcia @ Plazatoo.com; Aquila,Terra Plana @ Endless.com; Tamtam, Think! @ Endless.com; Sandals, Swedish Hasbeens @ Endless.com; Julia, Think! @ Endless.com; Rose flat, Beyond Skin @ Greenloop.com; Pumps, Beyond Skin @ Greenloop.com; Cork sandal, Marc Jacobs, Plazatoo.com; Alexa, Cri de Coeur @ Nimli.com; Happy, Melissa Shoes @ Greenloop.com; Espadrilles, Andreassous @ Plazatoo.com; Bootie, Terra Plana @ Shopenvi.com.