LA PISTIL Renee Ogura (in pink) and Jennifer Hackler wear Lola-V dresses ($45) sewn from pre-loved fabrics by Ashley Ishii of La Pistil, one of several designers focusing on recycled or organic wear, to be featured at Urban Pacific's third fashion event. CLICK FOR LARGE

Down to Earth

A new generation of designers finds it's easy being green

» Vintage variations are a Mechakawa specialty

Earth Day originated on April 22, 1970, to raise awareness of environmental damage caused by mankind. Back then, people had to be told to conserve and recycle, and maybe if they remembered, they'd switch off unnecessary lighting and refuse extra plastic bags at the grocery store.

URBAN NOMAD URBAN PACIFIC » Earth Day showcase: 5 to 10 p.m. tomorrow » Place: Next Door, 43 N. Hotel St. » Admission: $7 at the door » Call: 953-0002

That it's cool to recycle is the message being conveyed during the third Urban Pacific event tomorrow at Next Door, which will also be launching its SMART Bar, serving up local and organic juices and smoothies.

Urban Pacific was conceived by Lacy Matsumoto to showcase the work of Honolulu designers through a fashion show and retail event, and this spring will highlight designers who use organic, recycled and reconstructed materials.

Among designers to be featured are Anna Lucas, 100%, Roberta Oaks, La Pistil, Mechakawa Vintage, Guava Bags, BackYard Thieves, Urban Nomad, Cut N Sewn, Sassy Lassy, Stylus, Lia Sophia and Etta 06.

The handcrafted, do-it-yourself mentality that fuels their creativity hasn't been this big since the '60s. Can macrame making be far behind?

ANNA LUCAS Anna Lucas's "Flamenco" collection offers sunny dresses. CLICK FOR LARGE

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Jamie Satterfield wears a reconstructed muumuu by Mecha-kawa Vintage. CLICK FOR LARGE

CUT N SEWN Aly Ishikuni models a jacket by Dan Weaver of Cut N Sewn. CLICK FOR LARGE

LA PISTIL La Pistil shows how easy it is to look good while being good to the planet. CLICK FOR LARGE