Sustainable style news from EcoSalon’s West Coast Fashion Correspondent.

When in L.A., do as the locals do, and in my case that meant practicing downward dog along the Venice Beach shoreline this weekend. Thus rendering the famous boardwalk upside down, and leaving me to reflect upon an entirely different perspective of the local style scene – and after all, isn’t thinking about things a little differently what the West Coast is all about?

Here’s what I uncovered this week.

Altered States –It would be hard to find a design team more innovative in today’s fashion world than Pasadena-based designers, Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte. Their exhibit, Rodarte: States of Matter, showing more than 20 pieces from recent collections, including some of the original costumes designed for Black Swan is currently on view at the MOCA Pacific Design Center until June 5, 2011. One of the early proponents of the ethical trend in the luxury market, the designing duo’s expressive and alternative manipulation of fabric transcends traditional clothing construction practices. The not-to-be missed exhibition is inspiration for anyone interested in redefining what clothing design can be.

Feel Good Initiative – Recently opened, the Green Denim Initiative on Main Street is one of Santa Monica’s newest sustainable shopping haunts. Locally producing Green Denim (its own line of unbelievably soft organic jeans), the store is L.A.’s greenest choice for finding this season’s wide-legged ’70s flare. Available in trendy colored washes and figure-flattering cuts, these comfort-driven styles share the shelves alongside other eco-friendly brands like EcoSkin, Alkemie and Alex and Ani. According to dynamo store manager, Bianca Smith, the ongoing sale prices of 15-75% off most items is part of their “feel good policy for tough economic times.”

Fresh Choice – A San Francisco fashion event promises to help you pick up your style like you do your veggies, Fresh and Local. Tomorrow’s trunk show at Project One, an art gallery, café and lounge featured in a converted San Francisco Design District warehouse will showcase some of the hottest Bay Area talents and their latest designs. New clothing and accessory collections from Jen Darling, Cary La Scala and Farm Fresh Clothing Co, together with pieces from Eco Citizen jewelry designer’s Kris Nations, J. Fein Designs and Molly M, promise to sell out quick. If that doesn’t motivate you to wrap up your day and head on down, hosted champagne is served at the bar from 6-7p.m. EcoSalon will be on the scene, so be sure to come say hello!

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I always feel sorry for celebrities come awards time. There is just as much emphasis put on their red carpet garb as their award nominations and with the Golden Globes this weekend, I realized I haven’t done enough for all the starlets.

So apologies go out specifically to Natalie Portman, Helena Bonham Carter, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Livia Firth for not suggesting this before. With all of you in the limelight on Sunday, we should have thought of this earlier.

Next year, I’d like to host a DIY night for you at my place. All of you star-studded ladies could bring your old dresses and I’ll bring the garment racks and let’s just have an old fashioned trying on party – see what works for you that worked for another breast oozing beauty last year. I’ll also bring a tailor to make the modifications necessary, and lots of tape and jars of bedazzling items. After all, there’s no reason why you can’t reuse.

Natalie Portman at the 2010 Venice Film Festival, Image from Zimbio

Natalie, I could have modified so many vintage dresses for your Bjork style but naturally dyed (black) of course and messages tucked into feathers trailing off the back like “The dark side in Star Wars was nothing compared to my last gig,” “Making out with women in cabs is hot,” and “Honk if you love swans.” We could have even made a mean feather lipstick for you in collaboration with a natural cosmetics company? We didn’t think! I seriously hate myself. Please look amazing because you are going to win everything.

Helena, when I think of all the crazy shit you usually wear to awards shows we could have had a DIY fest with garter belts, netting and royal tapestries embellishing something subtle, like a pirates outfit to really mix things up. So if you do win supporting actress for your role as the Queen Mother in The King’s Speech, you could still retain that “what the hell am I wearing again?” vibe but with a sustainable spin.

God, please wear something normal because your role was so wonderful and you might just win.

Helena Bonham Carter, Image from Holy Moly

Nicole, this is a tricky year for you. My DIY for you would’ve been either full flourishing frills a la TP, or subtle, slendering and Rabbit Hole quiet. What will you do?

Regardless of the fact we didn’t get together, I am confident you will make the right decision. I don’t think it will be a sustainable one though.

Nicole Kidman, 2010 Golden Globes

With Halle Berry up for Best Actress based on her role in Frankie and Alice, as a “Multiracial American woman with dissociative identity disorder who struggles to retain her true self and not give in to her racist alter-personality,” I would have suggested cutting up dresses and merging two standout frocks from any of the other nominees already written about here to give her look a real “Two sides Of Halle” vibe.

No doubt it would have made us all feel a little messed up just looking at her.

Halle Berry, 2010 Golden Globes

Our final regret isn’t a regret at all, it’s a kudos to the ongoing red carpet fashion choices of Livia Firth who is not up for an award but husband Colin is for his role as stammering Prince Albert in The King’s Speech. Livia, who will be on her husband’s arm on the red carpet has surpassed my wildest dreams by recently upcycling her husband’s moth eaten suits for the Paris premier of The King’s Speech and spending all last year going eco.

What will she wear on Sunday? One can only hope something that ticks off her husband so he doesn’t have a real life stammering episode as he accepts his award for his completely owned performance as Prince Albert.

He just has to win.

Colin and Livia Firth, 2010 Golden Globes

Top Image, Natalie Portman in Black Swan, IMDb

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