I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

One of my favorite alternative clothing designers is Lori Marsha, who got her start designing handbags and jewelry almost ten years ago and has more recently expanded her work to include some stunning revamped and recycled wearable works of art. Her pieces aren't for everyone, but for those who aren't afraid to stand out and who are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind look, Lori Marsha's designs are absolutely inspiring.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I design one of a kind garments and accessories from primarily recycled components. I work from my home in Redlands, California and enjoy the solitude and joy that comes with the creative process.

One of the great ironies about recycling is that there are -- practically speaking -- very few things that can be produced from recycled material. Aside from paper and plastics, post-recyclables don't offer much variety. (Alas, post-consumer recycled toilet paper is just post-consumer recycled toilet paper.) But a clothing company called Burning Torch is trying to change all of that.

Burning Torch clothing reshapes used clothing into new completely different garments, like dresses made of silk scarves or halter tops made from old cashmere sweaters. The result is a line of totally unique, one-of-a-kind garments for consumers who are interested in cool clothes, which are not mass produced. Burning Torch's mission of taking other people's trash and turning it into treasure seems one part eco-friendly and another part culturally-subversive. And that's a lot more than you can say for recycled TP....