Like "Vote or Die" and "Free Tibet" before it, "Go Green" is quickly gearing up to become 2008's most ubiquitous cause celebre catchphrase, with everyone from Target to tabloid regular Lindsay Lohan jumping on the environmentally-conscious bandwagon. Still, long before "sustainable" became the latest Vogue buzz word, Finland-born Swedish designer Camilla Norrback was showing some serious commitment to eco-friendly fashion. This forward thinking designer has incorporated organic fabrics into her collection since 2002 (she calls the outcome "eco-luxury")—way before going green was the trend du jour.

Now, thanks to pioneers like Norrback, dressing for the environment no longer has to mean donning hippie castoffs like Birkenstocks and macramé. Socially responsible fashionistas can rest assured knowing that all of Norrback's designs are certified environmental every step of the way, from cultivation of materials to coloring, all without sacrificing style. As if that wasn't enough, the designer is mindful of factory conditions, too, keeping an eye out for both the planet and the proletariat. Norrback's Spring/Summer 2008 offerings, inspired by the clash between the pangs of adulthood and nostalgia for carefree childhood, speak to the duality of her philosophy, which reflects a similar contradiction between ecological concerns and a commitment to luxury.

Norrback chose to work with a restricted palate, featuring a base of white, black and gray tones accented by pops of bright pink and lime. With hard-to-resist pieces like a trompe l'oeil bustier print tunic (perfect for a witty beach cover-up!) and a fuss-free LBD, it's easy to see why Norrback is on her way to becoming the go-to designer for a little guilt-free (at least as far as natural resources go) retail therapy. Clothes that keep you looking good without hurting the planet? Now that's intelligent design!

Camilla Norrback is available at Crimson Carbon, 524 Washington Avenue, (305) 538-8262.

- Nayda Freire

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Similar Topics:fashion, shopping, spring 2008

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