ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION

LONDON – Forget the animal-unfriendly fur coat and the painted-on pants made from polluting petroleum-based products. A runway show in Copenhagen on Wednesday aimed to show that "green styles" — some of them stitched in fabrics made from recycled agricultural or industrial waste — can be just as fashionable.
Held at Copenhagen's Opera House — across the Danish capital from where delegates from 192 countries are gathered to hammer out an agreement aimed at stemming global warning — the display brought together 20 designers from five Nordic countries and representatives of such retailing heavyweights as H&M and Barneys.
Designers each presented two looks made from organic cottons and silks, polyesters made from recycled plastic bottles or new fabrics made from waste left over from industry and agriculture.
Never heard of Crabion? It's made from byproducts from the crab industry. And Ingeo? It's made out of corn scraps and can be made to mimic the smoothness of silk or the glossy sheen of PVC. Ditto, Milkfiber, which, you guessed it, is milled milk: from the powder left over from boiled milk, more precisely.
"It was an exercise to show that you can replace traditional textiles with innovative new ones that are being made in mills in Japan and Italy and that are less polluting," said Stine Hedegaard of the Danish Fashion Institute, the organizer of Wednesday's display — which doubled as a design contest. A jury of fashion insiders judged the show's 40 looks and attributed a prize of 50,000 kroner ($6,720).
Finland's Saara Lepokorpi took the award for an asymmetrical cocktail dress in muted gray tones with what appeared to be panels of ruched silk, though organizer Hedegaard said Lepokorpi made her two looks from organic wool, Ingeo and Milkfiber.
"They were really nice materials to use and I intend to use them again," gushed Lepokorpi.
Other looks included an oversized, joker-collared wind-breaker in a green and black print that mimicked graffiti tags and a cocktail dress in iridescent purple with a strappy bodice that looked like the model was getting a bear hug from an octopus.
"The fashion industry is full of good ideas and creative people, people who are always ahead of time," said Denmark's Australian-born Crown Princess Mary, who delivered the prize. "It is an industry that picks up on and mirrors the developments in our society."
The show attracted nearly 700 guests, Hedegaard said.

BRIGHT IDEAS

This summer get playful with color! Pour out your favorite memories of your primary hues- RED, YELLOW, and BLUE! Here are a few easy, breezy summer Must Have's for you color enthusiasts! I mean Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Custo Barcelona are doing it, so why not you? Don't worry your pretty little pocketbook, I promise this list will brighten your closet in a budget-friendly way!

1. IN A CLUTCH. Add some nautical fun by accessorizing with this blue and white canvas clutch by Felix Rey for Target. (available at target.com) Clutch this find for only $20!

2. ITSY BITSY TEENY WEENY YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI. You remember the tune, but did you ever find a sweet & sexy yellow polka dot bikini like this? Get beach sexy in no time at all. This sunny bikini is available at Victoria Secret (victoriasecret.com) for $30 ($15 for the top and $15 for the bottom)- you can't get any better than this!

*Oh and if your body isn't as insane as Marisa Miller (which is 98% of us, it's ok we all can't be biologically blessed with that bod), fear not this print comes in different styles, from string to halter, emphasize your best assets!

3. TIE DYE ONE ON. Rock this red and white tie-dye tank to boost your summer wardrobe. This far-out find is from GAP for $19.50 (and if red isn't the shade for you, this tank comes in a lot of other colors- be BRAVE!)

4. WHEN IN DOUBT, BELT IT OUT. Not sure how to add a pop of color to a basic cotton dress, opt for a BOLD belt. This wide ribbed belt is from H&M for $14.90.

5. RED HOT. Beat the heat this summer by protecting those baby blues with a radical red over-sized shades. This plastic pair is perfect for cruisin' the shore or relaxin' on the boat. No Boundaries Compass Sunglasses (available at Walmart.com) for $4 (yes, you read that right, $4!) Guilt-free sunglasses, can summer get much better?

6. RHYTHM & BLUE. Sun-filled days and how else to track how much fun you are having--- this watch will not have you sad at all. Cool off any outfit with this Blue Paisley Bangle Watch (available at coldwatercreek.com) for only $39.50.

7. FOLLOW THE BRICKROAD. Step out in style in your cute yellow strappy sandal. These festive flats will have you in smiles, with the price tag alone- only $9.99!!! Try Rue21 for savvy and smart accessories! (these sandals are guaranteed to not break the bank- available at rue21.com)

8. LITTLE RED RUFFLED DRESS. Pin-tucked to perfection, this little dress was made for summer-time fun. Whether you are shopping on the boardwalk or a family BBQ, always look ravishing in this red number. Forever 21 has this lil red darling dress for $39.80 (forever21.com).

9. BERMUDA, BAHAMA, . . . Sunny-day style meets resort chic. Try pairing this yellow bermuda shorts with a white cami or soft cotton t-shirt for a casual feel. Add a red cardigan for a lil more sophisticated fun. These bermuda shorts by Lee Alexis make your vacation wardrobe complete and for a mere $17.99, your pockets will be bursting at the seam with joy!

10. BATHING "BLUE"TY. Blue straw floppy hat is both fashionable and practical when catching some rays. Variations of this hue make this hat fun and playful for any beach ensemble. Merona makes great find for Target for $12.99.