We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Todays interview is with Callie Micks, who creates eco-friendly, fashionable kitchen aprons for women and kids. Callie proves that aprons aren't what they used to be, and one of her customers went so far as to say her apron was "so dangerously cute I would wear it in and out of the kitchen."

A lot of the things happening to our planet are anything but funny. Animals across the globe are facing extinction due to hunting and poaching, loss of habitat, and disease.

However, jewelry designer Simon Cardwell isn't sitting around moping about it. In fact, he's created a line of jewelry, Cheeky Monkey, to bring attention to the plights of numerous endangered animals in a surprisingly fun and smile-inducing way.

By this point we've all heard how important it is to buy eco-friendly products, and that includes fashion. But is it all just hype? Just another marketing gimmick employed by corporate America to try and get us to spend more dollars but feel less guilty about doing it? Many companies have been accused of greenwashing, and it's certainly true that buy buy buy is not the way to help our environment.

No matter what though, people will always want to dress in a way that makes them feel good about the way they look. We shouldn't have to compromise style in our quest to save the planet. Sure, we need to adjust our habits, but that doesn't mean that we'll all end up looking like a bunch of dirty hippies. Here's our list of the top 5 ways to really green up your wardrobe.

Want to save the Earth and still look good doing it? Check out Eco-Tobi's full range of styles for men & women, featuring earth-friendly clothing & accessory brands like Edun, Loomstate, Envirosax and more. Organic beauty products are also available, and all purchases are shipped in 100% recycled materials. They've also joined forces with Carbonfund.org to completely offset the emissions of their operation, so you don't have to feel too guilty about shopping here. Did we mention how much cute stuff they have? Just check out some of their offerings below:

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.

Today's interview is with Merle OBrien, the Aspen, Colorado-based designer behind a line of eco handbags called OlovesM, which were recently handed out to celebs attending the Sundance Film Festival. These fashionable and environmentally friendly bags feature predominantly recycled materials, including a snazzy sport/diaper bag made from repurposed yoga mats.

How did you get started as a designer? I was in yoga class and the idea for my bags just popped into my head, so I ran off my mat and started doing a ton of research, and cut and sewed a lot of prototypes until I figured it out. I am one of those people who is always thinking about ideas, and some seem to work, while others just help me learn more do's and dont's about business!!

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.

Looking for a rugged yet comfortable pair of earth-friendly kicks? It's hard to beat a pair of slip-ons for comfort and ease, but usually I don't think of the as shoes that will last too long. Timberland's Switchfoot Slip-ons are kind of the best of both worlds: they're built like a pair of hiking boots, yet they've got the the comfort and look of some more casual summer shoes. Not to mention, being constructed of recycled PET plastic and certified organic cotton -- they're totally scuppie-friendly.

The eyelets are kind of a nice touch for people who don't want to admit that they're wearing slip-ons. I guess you could put laces on these puppies just for looks? The eyelets do make the shoe look more rugged, but so does everything else about the design.

The thing I really like about these shoes is how they totally play up the recycled look. People will notice and say: 'hey nice shoes,' and you can say 'thanks, they're recycled, cuz I care.' See how that works?

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[via Gear Patrol]

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.

Today's interview is with Catherine Beringer, a jewelry designer and metalsmith who creates modern, organic jewelry using eco-friendly, recycled silver. You can find her work at her website, Solsida, which means sunny side in Swedish.

Tell me a little about your work. I make silver jewelry inspired by lazy summer days spent outside with the sun beaming down on your face. (It's a long winter here in Minnesota!). I totally crave sunshine and my jewelry reflects that. I enjoy using my jewelry saw to cut out silhouettes of birds and butterflies and other things from nature. I also love organic shapes, imperfect circles and rounded edges. I use argentium silver, a newer sterling silver alloy, that has some unique properties for metalsmithing, including the ability to use safer and fewer chemicals. It is also much slower to tarnish than traditional sterling and requires less polishing. Many of my necklaces hang from several strands of linen cord. I really like that linen is a sustainable plant fiber, and that it's lightweight, stronger than leather or cotton and comes in beautiful, subtle colors.

Who are your favorite designers? I've been coveting a BeckyOh intaglio purse for too long and I've promised myself one for Spring. I just have to make up my mind which one! I just redid my studio and I have a wall that is crying out for some of these dream-like Alena Hennessy prints. My favorite jewelry designer is Amy Tavern. I've admired her work for a long time. Her jewelry is simple and modern, but has an light and organic quality to it that makes it really special.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I have a pair of red, stacked-heel Clarks and some sweet, Camper high heels I adore. They appeal to my need to be girly and comfortable at the same time. I favor skirts over jeans, so I love heels to go with them. Some of my favorite casual skirts are from Envi, an eco-friendly, online clothing store that recently opened a brick and mortar in Boston. In my constant battle against dry skin, I recently invested in a whole bunch of Winks and Company shea butters. I love trying out all the different scents. I have a ton of them. I keep changing my mind which one I like the best but right now it's pink grapefruit and honey.

If you follow Ugly Betty, you might have noticed Betty carrying around a funky new bag (like the one pictured here) in the "Odor in the Court" episode (also, if you don't watch the show, you really, really need to). The bag wasn't something chosen by the costume designers on set; it was actually a gift to America Ferrera (who plays Betty -- seriously, watch the show!) from Rebagz, and she liked it so much that she decided to wear it on the show.

Aside from being a cool enough bag to be featured on a show about fashion (even if it was carried by the least fashionable character), Rebagz items are all made from things like juice packs and rice sacks -- items that would typically be thrown away, but instead were reused to create a stunning and unusual item.

If the multicolor tote isn't quite your style, don't give up -- Rebagz has a number of bags in different colors and styles, so you're sure to find one that suits your personality.

Rebagz Large Tie Tote, $95 at Half the Sky Designs

When it comes to being eco-friendly you may have decided to opt for organic cotton or perhaps sustainable fabrics like bamboo, but have you thought about your zipper? Ideal Fastener Corp. has announced that they will be using Repreve recycled yarn in the zipper tape for a new line of products called the Ideal Earth brand. The Repreve yarn is made out of 100-percent-recycled materials reducing the need for virgin polyester. The two companies say that every 150 Ideal Earth jacket zipper tapes or 500 IDEAL Earth™ pant zipper tapes manufactured with Repreve is equivalent to one gallon of gasoline saved. That's not a huge number but it's a start. Now how do they go about making the rest of the zipper eco-friendly?

I'm always drawn to strange yet sweet little accessories like this domino pendant by Odd Bird. For me, it's a tiny rebellion; I stay with safer choices when it comes to my clothes but I'll admit, I like jewelry that gets double-takes and starts conversations like, "Where on earth did you find that?"

Each of these hand-painted pendants is one-of-a-kind and made from a real domino. They're available in 16 different designs for $36.00 each from Chocosho. Some of the designs seem to be selling out fast since the designer, Odd Bird, is getting quite a bit of attention lately, but look for supply to catch up with demand soon.

I've seen Ecoist's candy-wrapper handbags and not been moved to purchase despite the fact that they are eco-friendly and rather cute. Their movie billboard bags however, are seriously tempting. The bags are made from promotional billboards which are usually discarded once a movie leaves theaters. The bags are available as wallets, messenger bags, yoga bags and everyday bags. The bag shown here is made from the billboard for "Over The Hedge" (hence the giant cartoon eyeball) and sells for $48.

Related:
Haul Billboard Bags
Resurrecting Chanel
Shop Good at Global Girlfriend

Yes, of course we know that eco-chic is making a lot of progress in the fashion world. Being environmentally responsible doesn't mean you have to look like a hippie. We have beauitful bamboo "cashmere" sweaters and green jeans from the likes of Loomstate, but come on. That's like...the fashion equivalent of Gap.

Not until we came across the designs of Linda Loudermilk did we finally nod our heads enthusiatically and whisper "yes..." Loudermilk manufactures garmets from fabrics made from recycled plastics and self-sustaining plants like bamboo.

Just take a peek at the Fall 2006 collection. While I'm not exactly in love with the look of airy white dresses over black turtlenecks and tights, I like the individual pieces. The look pictured on the right is my favorite. The pant and coat are made from bamboo, and the shirt inside is made of soy silk.

In a quest to find even more ways to help the envorinment and take advanage of resources that were in plain sight, but going to waste, designer Elizabethe Hake came up with these black, rubber bracelets. This line of accessories - since jewelry would probably not be the optimal term for this product - is made from reclaimed rubber bicycle tires. The origin of the rubber is evident in the style and shape of the bangles, as they even look a bit like bike chains. Some of the bracelets have sterling silver accents, too. Overall, the idea is to make the statement that environmental friendliness doesn't have to be about "hemp and granola." Not that there is anything necessarily wrong with that, but sometimes it's good to have a more modern option.