(October 3rd update: This just in… purchase your tix by October 13 and be entered in the myEARTH360/VertCouture drawing for cool eco chic accessories! Click here for deets.)

Although I’m not exactly what you’d call a fashionista…

I plan to attend Vert Couture Spring 2012 on Thursday, October 20, 2011. I may not paint the town red green (my usual bed-time is 9pm), but I’ll be standing on the largest green roof in the United States under the tents at Millennium Park. 

Now in its third year, this sustainable and fair trade fashion event—presented by Conscious Living TV—is one of four headlining shows during Fashion Focus Chicago. The event is all carbon-neutral, baby. Plus, a portion of Vert Couture’s proceeds will benefit Keep Chicago Beautiful, an environmental nonprofit that offers governmental, corporate and community education programs to help beautify Chicagoland.

Keep up-to-date by following them on twitter @VertCouture. You can also check out their facebook event page here.

Featured designers.

I can’t wait to see the hot collections of Chicago’s most talented designers—from rising ready-to-wear stars using renewable fabrics and vintage materials to established fashion icons showing the best in luxury haute couture. Here’s a sneak peek…

Performance luxury men’s underwear made from recycled polyester fibers by the award-winning Richard Dayhoff. Ooh-la-la!

Dollparts fun and flirty looks fashioned from reclaimed vintage garments by Michelle Dimitris.

The body serves as canvas for photographic images of nature with Heart. Printed on luxurious organic cotton, silk and bamboo.

Inspired by the power of communication, lines of architecture, and city streets, Rose Mae Turner’s line includes couture swimwear and separates made from unconventional recycled materials like glitter, metallic fabrics and PVC.

Lauren Lein, a seasoned custom couture designer, will debut her first eco-collection of avant-garde suits and dresses made from repurposed high-end fabrics.

Tracy Mayer, an exquisite fair trade jewelry designer, creates one-of-a-kind handmade pieces from recycled 950 silver, ethically sourced gemstones and ancient coins.

Check out the rest of the designers at vertcouture.com.

Fashion Show Deets.

Vert Couture’s VIP guests will enjoy a “Sexy & Sustainable” cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres, gift bags and reserved priority seating. On Oct. 20, the VIP reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by the runway show at 7:30 p.m.

General admission is $35. VIP admission is $95. Tickets may be purchased online at www.VertCouture.com.

A portion of Vert Couture’s proceeds will benefit Keep Chicago Beautiful, an environmental nonprofit that offers governmental, corporate and community education programs to help beautify Chicagoland.

Vert Couture is executive produced by Michael and Bianca Alexander, hosts of Conscious Living TV and founders of Conscious Planet Media, an Emmy award-winning green television, film and event production company.

Millennium Park is easily reached by CTA and adjacent public parking is available. Millennium Park is universally accessible to patrons with disabilities. For more information, visit www.millenniumpark.org.

For information and a complete schedule of events during Fashion Focus Chicago, please visit Chicago Fashion Resource.

About Conscious Planet Media.

Founded by Bianca and Michael Alexander, Conscious Planet Media is an Emmy-award winning television, video and film production company. Its award-winning, multi-platform news series, Conscious Living TV and Soul of Green, highlight the people, places and innovations at the forefront of the eco-conscious movement. After six years of covering the hottest sustainable fashion shows around the world – from Paris to New York – Michael and Bianca are highly sought-after experts and trendsetters helping to shape the burgeoning eco-fashion landscape. For more information, please visit www.ConsciousLivingTV.com or www.consciousplanetmedia.com.

About Fashion Focus Chicago.

Home to more than 400 local designers and 300 independent boutiques, Chicago boasts one of the most creative communities in the country. The City of Chicago’s Fashion Initiative partners with the industry on resources and high-profile events for local designers and independent boutiques to gain visibility, learn about the business of fashion and elevate the industry. For more information on the City of Chicago’s Fashion Initiative and Fashion Focus Chicago, visit www.chicagofashionresource.com.