Project Runway‘s seventh-season winner, Seth Aaron Henderson, plans to debut his first post-PR collection at Portland Fashion Week this fall. And the word on the street is that he’s planning to center the show on a theme of solar energy.

Ecorazzi reports:

Striking while the iron is hot, the 38 year old has wisely melded his passion for solar technology with his obvious love for fashion-forward duds by creating a new collection – soon to be unveiled on October 9th at the turbo-sustainable, carbon neutral Portland Fashion Week — that tips its hat off to the event’s Oregon-based renewable energy sponsor, SolarWorld.

Against a catwalk backdrop of slick black photovoltaic panels, Henderson’s designs, which embrace this year’s theme “Solar Is The New Black”, will be laden with sun-lovin’ detailing although he’s mum on exactly how he’s going to make it all come together.

We’re excited to see how this fresh face on the fashion scene will make it work!

Call us fangirls because the shoe fits: We fell in love with Ellen Page in Juno, cheered her on in Whip It, and we’ll be first in line when Inception comes out tomorrow.

But what we didn’t know is that Ellen is also a big-time greenie, and that just makes us love her even more.

Ecorazzi.com has the proof: She has studied permaculture while shoveling manure in Eugene, Ore., for a month after filming Juno; she was snapped by the paparazzi looking at sustainably-built condos in Los Angeles; she drives a Smart Car; she says she and Leonardo DiCaprio talked “about the ecological situation” while filming Inception; and she appears in the environmental documentary 2012: Time for a Change.

Could showing some love for eco-designers on her next red carpet be next? We certainly hope so!

Keith Johnson, the star of television series Man Shops Globe on the Sundance Channel, is also incidentally the found objects buyer for Anthropologie, traveling the world to find interesting textures and designs to incorporate into Anthro’s ethnically-inspired line of clothing and accessories. (If you think this guy sounds like he has the best job in the world, you have a lot of company.)

In a recent interview posted on Anthropologie’s website, he talks about his shopping strategies and how to avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse:

I always look for integrity. I don’t like things that have been monkeyed around with too much — or if they have been manipulated, it has to be intentional, almost ironic. I also look for things with a great patina or things that narrate the experience of where I am. …

I used to feel I needed to buy variety. It made me make choices that weren’t based on falling in love with something. The thing with found objects is you have to be open to happening upon something and responding to it. If you have too strong an agenda, you are going to force your eye into seeing things that may not be there.

Sounds right in line with our thoughts on successful thrift shopping. The point being: The secret to being a world-class shopper is selectiveness. And with enough patience and an eye for quality, anyone can become one.

We love Christina Hendricks for so many reasons, but now we have a new one: She has enough body confidence that she doesn’t let the fashion critics get her down with insensitive, body-shaming comments.

The 35-year-old star of Mad Men tells the July/August issue of Health magazine:

“I made the grave mistake after one awards show of reading comments online about what I wore, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, people are so mean!’” Hendricks reveals. “I still remember all those negative comments, despite all the wonderful positivity. That’s why we’re all in therapy!”

Because of the criticism, the newlywed admits she’s surprised to learn she’s often cited as one of the most desirable bodies in Hollywood.

“Really? They dont say Jessica Alba? ‘Cause that’s what I say!” she laughs. “It’s such a compliment, because of all those times I had agents who were like, “You have to lose some weight,” and all of a sudden, people are celebrating it.”

We understand why she doesn’t read blog comments about her looks anymore, but we hope she wouldn’t mind ours. We are big fans of any intelligent, confident actress who is willing to stand up and say she’s healthy and proud of her body, damn the torpedoes.

Emma Watson, the cherubic star of the Harry Potter movies, can add a new credit to her résumé: love interest in her musician boyfriend’s music video, “Say You Don’t Want It.”

In it, the fair-trade–loving starlet wears a short fur jacket that boasts a vintage vibe as they traipse through New York.

Ms. Watson has been outspoken in her support for People Tree, even collaborating on a fair-trade fashion collection for teens with the British label. So we find it interesting that she’s also showing love for vintage in this music video, presumably over which she had some creative control in the wardrobe department.

Keep on rockin’ in the free world, Emma.

One of the best part of writing the Real Girl Ethics column means I get to interview my most impressive friends and share their awesomeness with the world. I chose Sarah for the issue with the “change” theme after she uprooted her life in the South to become a reporter and news anchor on NewsWest 9 in Midland, Texas. She’s testing her mettle in the world of professional journalism, and passing with flying colors.

Below, she answers a few questions about keeping it cool on camera and keeping up with the challenge of being camera-ready every single day.

Tell me a little about yourself.

My love of journalism was sparked during a high school internship and I haven’t given up since! I love waking up each morning not knowing how my day is going to turn out. During my time here in West Texas, I’ve covered everything from fires to recycling, murders to graduations, inspirational stories to heartbreaking ones – and everything in between. I love meeting new people every day and telling their stories — sometimes the stories are challenging and sad and other times they’re encouraging and uplifting.

Every day reporters get a clean slate. No matter what happened the day before, or how good your story was, each day is a fresh start and you have to prove yourself all over again.

What are the wardrobe challenges of being on camera for thousands to see literally every day? Is it daunting or an exciting opportunity?

One of my biggest challenges is variety. You can’t look the same every day or even every week – and that can be a little daunting! I try to add variety by changing the color of shirts and their styles underneath my suits. You can wear the same black suit every week, but make it look completely different by the way you accessorize. Scarves, necklaces, bracelets, and pins can add a new spunk to a boring old suit. I work in a smaller television market and we’re not paid as much as one might think – so finding ways of rejuvenating your suits is essential! Many of the girls I work with share clothes and go on bargain-hunting trips together.

I gotta know, do the other anchors wear jeans under the news desk? On location?

Hahahaha! Oh yes they do. In fact, a former anchor at our station would wear “jorts” (jeans cut up into shorts) every Friday! That’s a huge fashion no-no to me, and definitely unprofessional even underneath the desk. News reporters/anchors should always be ready to hit the streets because you never know when a huge story will break, and you definitely don’t want to be caught on camera in jorts. That’s just tacky.

I will admit, there are days when I wear jeans to work when I know I’m going to anchor. Sometimes you just need to have a casual day, but always always always bring an extra pair of dress pants with you!! That’s another point: My car is loaded with extra clothing – everything from rain boots to extra suit jackets, pants and clean shirts. You never know when you’ll have to tromp around in the dirt, cover flooding, or simply spill your morning coffee and you don’t want to end up on TV looking like a hot mess. Most recently I’ve leaned towards skirt sets — they help out in this 100+ degree Texas heat!!

Tell us some crazy stories. Any huge fashion faux-pas to avoid? Any terrible fashion things happened to you while covering a story? Any days you saw your outfit on camera and went “Oh no!”

This just happened to me this week: I wore a drape-y dress and a suit jacket to work and ended up getting sent to a story just as a storm blew in. The 50 mph winds were causing all sorts of Marilyn Monroe moments with that dress! Luckily I had a sympathetic photographer who helped me weight it down and he adjusted the camera to only show above my waist. Lesson learned: While you might enjoy wearing the flowy dress, it’s generally best to save it for the weekend!

I think I would feel vulnerable being on camera — being self-conscious about what you look like (bad hair days and all), what you are wearing, and what you are saying, being open to criticism. How do you stay confident and true to yourself?

This is a very image-driven industry. No matter how great of a reporter you are, everyone including your boss openly critiques your wardrobe, appearance, and style. Some stations will provide a wardrobe/makeup/hair allowance – mine doesn’t. I used to be a blond, but because of the high cost of highlights I recently decided to revert back to my natural light brown shade. My boss didn’t initially approve of my change, but has since changed his mind. I even got calls to the station asking why I changed my hair color.

It never ceases to amaze me how viewers will call in and give commentary on our hair and clothing. You have to take it with a grain of salt and realize that some people are just going to be cruel, no matter what. It’s something you just have to learn to laugh at. When you’re hired on at a TV station, they’re buying your appearance – especially if you sign a contract. Fortunately I was not under contract at the time and could make changes. Otherwise, I would have had to stay blond.

At the end of the day, you can’t worry on what other people say about you. What one person loves, another hates. It’s important to stay focused on *who* you are and the people you care about – that’s what gives me confidence.

Fashion tips for the aspiring reporters out there? Favorite stores? Make-up brands?

One of my favorite products is MAC Studio Fix Foundation/Powder. It’s an all-in-one! I don’t have to apply both foundation and powder, yet it provides amazing coverage. The compact is particularly handy when you’re on a live shot and have to quickly get ready in the field. It’s a lifesaver!

If you’re an aspiring reporter, my best fashion advice is to always dress and look professional. Don’t fall into the trap of wearing a button down and khakis. It’s always best to look as credible as possible and suits help to do that. My favorite suit stores are New York and Co. and Ann Taylor. They have classic pieces that you can mix and match! I also like sniffing out bargains at TJMaxx and Dillards – they have great sales! For shoes, I check Cato and Payless – when you’re out in the field (sometimes in the water or mud) you don’t want to get caught ruining a pair of expensive pumps!

The reviews were mixed and the box office take was lower than expected, but Sex and the City 2 was undeniably superior to the first film in one major way: the prevalence of eco-fashion.

Here are a few items spotted in the newest movie. If you’ve seen it and noticed other eco-goodies, post in the comments below!

• Vintage: Carrie in a flowy white 1970s Halston dress, purchased from a New York vintage dealer and featured in the opening scene as well as the movie’s poster. (Sarah Jessica Parker, Halston’s new creative director, liked the dress so much she knocked it off for Halston Heritage.)
• More Vintage: Charlotte is also wearing vintage sequined Yves Saint Laurent in the karaoke scene.
• Recycled: Samantha carries the Ecoist Silver Mega handbag, crafted from upcycled candy wrappers.
• Sustainable: Carrie rocks a pair of Swedish Hasbeens sandals, made from sustainably harvested wood and natural-grain leather.
• Reuse: Carrie resurrects the Dior “newspaper dress” in the new movie, which dedicated viewers will remember from Season Three of the television series when Carrie tries to apologize to Natasha for sleeping with Big.

I could honestly spend an entire afternoon Googling photos of movie stars from the golden age of Hollywood. Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Claudette Colbert — these women were so glamorous, they practically shimmered off the silver screen. (And don’t get me started on Cary Grant, the vintage lover’s George Clooney.)

(District of Chic/Weardrobe.com)

Even modern-day period art is enough to get me going. Mad Men would feel like a cheap thrill if it weren’t so water-cooler ready.

The added benefit that vintage fashion also qualifies as ethical is enough to make my little heart burst. After all, what’s more eco than clothes that produce no pollution or waste that we have to find a new way to deal with? Vintage shoes leave no carbon footprint at all.

We know we’re not the only ones who let the past inform our present style. Take the personal style blogger from Weardrobe.com who scooped up that pristine vintage Burberry trench at a shop in Paris. A key piece in her closet, to be certain.

We did our first vintage issue in early 2009, and it’s high time we put out a second one. (And in all likelihood, a third and fourth — we have a lot to say on the subject.)

First, animal products drum up a lot of controversy, but it’s important to remember that these items are built to last. Check out our gallery of high-fashion leather, fur, exotic skins, and other treasures that are likely older than you are.

Our DIY Doyenne, the ever-fashionable Kara Cook, guides you through her latest upcycling project: deconstructing a vintage skirt.

Ever wonder how clothing sizes have changed over the decades, and how we’ve ended up with the “vanity sizing” phenomenon? Get a history lesson (and some hope for the future) here.

Finally, because we know you can’t get enough of vintage fashion, check out these stories from our archives.

I know, I know, it’s been a while since I brought you one of my DIY projects (not due to a lack of ideas but rather an unfortunate lack of time — a million apologies!).

To tide you over in the meantime, here’s an episode from ThreadBanger.com that walks you through how to make a mod necklace out of spare parts from your junk drawer. So funky, I love it.

Plus: Prom accessories! Ah, to be young and looking forward to my first prom again…

Here’s something we never thought to consider, yet incredibly obvious: A study of Super Bowl advertisements conducted by the Madison Avenue Project found that every one of the creative directors in charge of the 52 spots produced by major advertising firms was white (and in all but 6 percent of the time, both white and male).

That may explain why 63 out of the 67 commercials that aired during the game featured a white lead.

More on this study from the New York Times Media Decoder blog:

The Madison Avenue Project is led by the N.A.A.C.P. and Cyrus Mehri, a civil rights lawyer. It was begun in 2009 to combat what the participants called “pervasive racial discrimination” in the industry.

The study was conducted by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida. It also examined the cast members of all the spots shown during the game, whether produced by major agencies or not, and concluded that only 4 of the 67 commercials featured “a person of color” in the lead role.

“The N.F.L. is diversified, the Super Bowl is diversified and the audience viewing the Super Bowl is diversified,” the study said. “However, the commercials that air during this event and the creative minds behind these commercials are not diversified.”

Weigh in below: Would you like to see more diversity in television advertising? Or do we all have Tivos now and commercial breaks are moot?