Sustainability is a rapidly growing trend among fashion designers and brands. So what designers should the industry be watching?

In celebration of the Earth Day, and the anticipation of Dwell Magazine’s green initiatives via the iPad, FMM caught up with Zem Joaquin, Editor-In-Chief and Founder of EcoFabulous to discuss her top picks for sustainably chic designers on her radar in 2010.

Joaquin’s choices are based on the designer’s commitment to quality, consciousness product design and a brand’s ability to be classified as “eco chic”.

1. Blank Verse: Based in Santa Cruz, this collaborative jewelry by Jane Farrar and Laamie Young is made from an eclectic mix of materials culled from friends, family, flea markets, vintage stores, and more.  With backgrounds in fabric and jewelry design, Farrar and Young bring rhinestones and fabrics together to make bracelets and necklaces and more that are glamorous yet raggedy, elegant and yet punk-ish.

2. Jennifer Dawes: Jennifer Dawes’ designs cover a wide range of jewelry: bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings.  Dawes is most famous for her rings, designed with versatility and simplicity in mind so that you can stack them in your own creative arrangements.

3. Kyler Jewelry: Seen on celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Cameron Diaz, this simple and elegant jewelry is made from recycled silver, gold and other materials.  Based in San Francisco, this is classic jewelry that is both stylish and sustainable.

4. Mink Shoes – These super chic shoes, designed by Rebecca Mink from Southern California, are truly eco.  Innovatively made from organic canvas, cork soles, rubber, fabric, and wood, these vegan heels are guaranteed to make you feel sexy.

5. Royal Blush – This Swiss brand takes remnant leather — pieces of leather that would have ended up in a landfill — to create amazing clutches and handbags.  Royal Blush uses leather untreated by harsh chemicals, so these clutches are soft and sumptuous as well as beautiful to look at.

6. SUST Best friends since they were just young girls, Tristan Griban and McKee are inspired by the alternative cultures they grew up with in Northern California.  This clothing — ethical and community-driven — is designed for long lasting wear.

7. Noir, and their diffusion line BLLACK, is a Danish brand that is hip, edgy, European, and great for going out.  This luxury brand follows the principles outlined in the UN Global Compact and focuses on the improvement of human rights, fair labor, and environment sustainability.

8. Mr. Larkin These designs by Kasey Larkin uses fibers that no one else is using.  With an understanding of the way clothes drape over the body, this clothing line has an excellent couture fit, especially important for women over age 30.  Better yet, by using materials like organic cotton and bamboo, the clothes feel great, too.

9. Sara Shepherd: Sara Shepherd’s clothing is elegant and simple, with feminine and whimsical twists.  Using eco-friendly fabrics, this British born designer brings American and British aesthetics together in her cohesive and very wearable luxury designs.  You can buy her designs at EcoCitizenOnline.com.

10. Levi’s Brand Denim – Levi Strauss is dedicated to making sure that every step in the product lifecycle is as sustainable as possible and is creating long-term goals that will bring sustainability and eco-consciousness to the next level.  Consumers can help, too, as caring for your jeans and line drying your denim will make them last three times as long.

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