Throughout the course of this year, various cultural and social movements have become increasingly influential in the fashion industry, causing major shifts in the field toward awareness, diversity and sustainability. In fact, one of the most prominent inspirational factors for many avant-garde luxury designers today is the practice of environmental and social responsibility.

Although environmentally-friendly fashion is a relatively new branch of the industry, some of the most knowledgeable fashion gurus are quickly adopting the fundamentals of sustainability and applying them to their creations. The Fashion Institute of Technology’s professor–and Resident Director of the overseas program in Florence–Sass Brown, is releasing her new book, Eco Fashion, in September. Brown specializes in ethical design practices in the fashion industry and has worked with women’s cooperatives, such as COOPA-ROCA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has a strong background in apparel design and has created several collections for manufacturers, including her own signature collection of women’s designer sportswear.

Eco Fashion will feature various eco-conscious designers and their products, demonstrating that sustainable fashion can indeed excell in high luxury markets. The book not only exhibits the diversity in products of this relatively new genre, but also contains information on the story behind each one of these labels and their impact on the community.

Though the book hits shelves in September, you can already pre-order your copy on Amazon. INDIE PEACE is really looking forward to reading this!

OK, so I’ve already ranted about the oil spill but something else has caught my attention that really ticks me off. According to an editorial from the  Huffington Post written by Paul Rieckhoff, executive director and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans of America, our very own National Guard is stuck cleaning up BP’s mess. Yep, that’s right. The men and women who serve in our military are the very people doing Tony Hayward’s dirty work.

To date, 1500 National Guardsmen have been sent to the tidy up the Gulf. Considering that 40 percent of the U.S. force in Iraq and Afghanistan are National Guardsmen, this means the same people fighting overseas return home only to be deployed again to fix a  conniving oil corporation’s problem.

As Rieckhoff put it, can you “imagine coming  coming back from your second or third tour to Iraq or Afghanistan, [only to be] told you’re being redeployed to scrub oil from the beaches in Louisiana?” Un-friggin-believable.

What’s worse is that our troops are also being gypped, that’s the real problem. Because of a new  bill, Guardsmen helping out in their native Gulf aren’t able to receive education benefits. Only men and women from outside the Gulf region are allowed to receive perks.

So, hold up. Stuck fixing a corporate mistake and not getting anything for it?

A new GI legislation addressing the issue is expected to make its way through Congress in the near future, but in the meantime our national security force is still suffering.

We can’t expect BP to shell out the cash. After all, they’re too focused on spending 50 million dollars in advertising to “save face” from their massive slip. Instead of protesting BP  stations (that hurts small businesses!), sign the petition urging our Congress to take action about this insane issue.

I just got back from the most amazing two week vacay from sunny Santa Barbara, California, and I gotta say, I agree with Katy Perry in her cheesy new single, that indeed, “nothing comes close to the golden coast.” In SB not only are the boys hotter (and girls too, gentlemen),but the weather is also better and well, the scenery is to die for. I mean, how often do you see rolling mountainsides and endless ocean views on your drive to the grocery store?

Don’t get me wrong though. I love the ATL too (represent) and it feels good to be back in A town where (shocker) the drivers are actually a bit more sane.  Still, one thing’s for sure; my palate hasn’t been completely satisfied since tasting the delicious delectables from the west. What’s the difference? Two words: locally grown.

In California, “green” was in way before it was cool. Twice a week, every week in Santa Barbara, farmer’s showcase their sustainably raised goodies and sell them for unbelievably great steals to health concious shoppers. Example? I bought three baskets of fresh, organically grown and locally raised strawberries in Cali for, drumroll, $4! That’s nearly half as much as what I would pay at a grocery store here. Healthier, fresher produce for cheap? No wonder “California girls are unforgettable.”

Sustainable foods are environmentally wonderful and healthier by default. Mass produced crops eat up oil, destroy our soil and enable massive disease outbreaks. Yick.

So where can you find local growers for yourself? Check out these great websites localharvest.org and localdirt.com to look up CSA and sustainable farmers in your area. Looking for a eco-friendly night out? You’ll also find a list of environmentally friendly restaurants at eatwellguide.org.

What can I say, I’m a fan of acoustic crooners. David Gray, Ray LaMontagne, Ingrid Michaelson and of course, Damien Rice are on the top of my fav artists list. I can’t pinpoint what attracts me to their heartrending melodies.  Maybe it’s the poetic lyrics, or the authenticity in their voices that keeps me coming back for more.

If you’re like me, and dying for new tracks besides “Cannonball” and “Babylon” to holler to on your morning commute, I highly suggest, The Swell Season from the contemporary musical, “ONCE.”

For musical junkies, “ONCE” is the quintessential boy meets girl, boy sings with girl, boy falls in love with girl tale. The main characters in the film, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, meet by coincidence and end up partnering together to make an album.

The film, set in Dublin, Ireland, produced top tracks like “When Your Mind’s Made Up” and the 2008 Academy Award Winning Best Original Song, “Falling Slowly.”

In 2009, the duo released, “Strict Joy” with key tracks like “Low Rising” and “Feeling the Pull,” thus proving their staggering musical talent and conquering daunting one hit wonder status.

You may have even heard the Swell Season without knowing it. American Idol’s Crystal Bowersox and winner Lee Dewyze performed “Falling Slowly” on the show’s cinema week. Idol judges raved about the performance and Simon Cowell said it was “fantastic.”

Need prove of their ‘awesome-ness?’ Check out the video above for “Low Rising.”

Alright, so this whole recent oil spill crisis thing has really done a number on my stress level. As if the Global Warming epidemic and the dwindling water supply isn’t enough to fret about, a gigantic off-shore drilling catastrophe? Great. The world really needed that.

But no matter your point of view pre-spill, “drill, baby, drill” or anti-offshore plundering,  I think we can all agree on one thing; oil and water do not mix. No one wants the oil threatening our precious eco-system, draining our tax dollars (although BP says they got it covered, we’ll see about that), or putting thousands of our fellow citizens out of work.

BP has failed several times trying to cap the spill all the while using toxic dispersants to clean up the mess. The government doesn’t know what to do either, and has started seeking outside help from rural farmers claiming hay to be a good solution to sop up the spill, college students and yeah even Kevin Costner (Waterworld, Field of Dreams).

But alas, there is hope and there are things you can do to help. Don’t throw in the towel, pick one up and start scrubbing the nearest oil-laden pelican in sight. Sounds like a bit of a stretch? Here are some even easier ways to help the clean up effort.

1. The National Wildlife Federation has a mobile donation service for fundraising efforts to protect affected species in the Gulf. Text the “WILDLIFE” to 20222 to give a $10 donation.

2. Oxfam America provides financial assistance to families affected by the spill in addition to protected local wetlands. Make a tax-deductible donation at oxfamamerica.org

3.  Global Green USA works to protect wildlife and lobbies for harsher stipulations for oil and coal industries so that another BP spill won’t happen again. Volunteer or donate to the foundation. Visit globalgreen.org.

4. Lastly, if you wanna lend hands-on support, check out sierraclub.org. The group organizes clean up efforts and will assign you a specific, impact-making job in the Gulf.

Two weeks ago I saw the hot new, electro-pop dance band, Passion Pit, at the Tabernacle in Atlanta. Perhaps you’ve heard of them , and if not,  it’s  mandatory that you click the link  and check out their smash hit “Sleepyhead.”

The band members, who hail from the the Berklee School of Music in Boston, have an endearing dork-next- door appeal mixed with an authentic rocker style, not to mention a ton of showmanship. I thought attending the Passion Pit concert was very reminiscent of going to a college band party; a crowded room full of out-of-control people, lots of sweat, glow sticks and spilt beer, but all in all, an unforgettably good time.

I did some research on the band, and developed an even bigger crush on the lead singer, Michael Angelakos, when I found about the group’s “green” side.  The band performed alongside music greats Sting and John Legend at the 2010 Climate Rally at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. three days after Earth Day. Oh, and I did I mention, the first EP created by Angelakos was written for an ex-girlfriend?

Sensitive and environmentally concious? Where do I find one of ‘those’?

944 magazine, an award-winning monthly magazine who has featured everyone from Lady GaGa to Andre 3000, listed our Indie CEO, Lawton Ursrey, as one of the most influential trendsetters in Atlanta in the June article, “The Real Tribes of Atlanta.” In the article, Anita Finkelstein writes that Atlanta is made of tribes of “vibrant, creative people…with similar aesthetics {who have} banded together… created their own unique identity and culture” where “true style sets them apart.” She labels Lawton as an “Alternative Garde” style tribesmen, meaning his collection is “loose, but highly stylized, and expresses someone who “lives life on their own terms.”

Congratulations, Lawton!

Hello, my name is Robyn, and I’m an addict…a shopping addict, that is. It’s a nasty tidbit about myself I try to suppress, but I’m a spend-thrift and I love clothes. As a feminist, I hate  to admit I’ve  succumbed to the societal status quo that women are shoe-obsessed, fashion mongers. So, I’ve decided to cut back. Way back. If not only to spare my bank account, but also to spare the planet. Thanks to the Uniform Project, I see that there is a do-able way to save time, money and mama earth.

One year ago, Sheena Matheiken, founder of the Uniform Project blog,  pledged to wear the same dress every day for an entire year. To mix things up, she  wore clothing, jewelry and other accessories that were mostly second-hand, vintage, or handmade to create a new look everyday. Matheiken reinvented her dress with anything from scarves to hats to boots– nothing was off limits. She even managed to create a Halloween costume (an evil sea creature).

So what inspired her to wear the black dress “uniform” for an entire year? In India, Matheiken’s birth country, uniforms are required to attend school. Despite everyone having to wear the same outfit, Matheiken noticed that students were able to express individuality using jewelry and accessories. She took the students’ cue, and adopting a uniform as a great creative challenge for herself that could inspire others to be more sustainable by shopping at thrift stores, eBay, etc rather than just buying new items.

Not only did her  project serve as a great inspiration for sustainable apparel, but it also helped to raise money for Akanksha Foundation, a charity that helps raise money for uniforms and education for children living in the poorest sections of India. The Uniform Project raised $95,206 enough money to send 264 kids to school for a year.

Because of a single item of clothing, these children now have a future. ”I’ve always been interested in children’s education, as it’s a great area to contribute to,” said Matheiken.

April 30th ended the year long Uniform Project, so check out the 5 minute video of all the looks and get inspired. I know I was.

In case you missed it, Earth Day was April 22nd and INDIE PEACE wants to know how YOU celebrated!

I went up to Flowery Branch (metro Atlanta) and did some hiking and trash cleanup at a neighborhood green space. I also attended a lovely vegan/gluten-free/organic potluck at a friend’s place.

Lawton went to a early viewing party for the new series Oceans at Atlantic Station with the Jacoby Group, GA Aquarium, Marineland, Sterling Planet, and Nature Conservancy which included a charity auction for the Guy Harvey Institute.

EarthShare of Georgia had their 14th annual Earth Day Party at Opera where environmentalists, devoted philanthropists and business professionals gathered to help promote sustainable practices and policies. INDIE PEACE donated shirts for the event’s auction.

Clearly, plenty of great things happened yesterday — now it’s your turn to share your Earth Day stories with us!

“Hands down. I’m too proud for love. But with eyes shut, it’s you I’m thinking of.”

So goes the first verse of Lykke Li’s (prounounced loo-kie lee) insanely catchy track, “Little Bit” from her debut 2008 album, Youth Novels. The Swedish indie-pop singer has been around for two years, but has only recently gained some U.S. mainstream notoriety with the track, “Possibility,” on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack.

Lykke Li wrote the song specifically for the gooby Rob Pattinson love saga, but die hard “Twi” fans shouldn’t let the melancholy beat fool them. Stereogum.com named Lykke Li a musician to watch, and described her music as mix of soul, electro and “powdered sugar pop.”

Björn Yttling, of Peter, Bjorn and John, indie music gurus and creators of the smash 2006 single, “Young Folks,” discovered the blonde beauty’s soft, poetic melody and produced her album “Youth Novels.” Additionally, Lykke Li’s music was featured in the film “Sorority Row” and she has paired up with rock icons, “Kings of Leon” to record an exclusive cover of “Knocked Up.” Most recently, American Idol contestants covered Lykke Li’s “I’m Good, I’m Gone,” in an advertisement for Ford fusion motorvehicles.

It’s safe to say the girl’s got major talent, and we can expect big things from her in the future.  I’m picky when it comes to music, but as for now,

“Hands down. I’m too proud for love. But with eyes shut, it’s definitely her music I’m thinking of.”