In New York, there’s no escaping it. Fashion week is upon us and we’re putting on our Pangea products, organic duds and heading to the tents.

The green scene kicked off yesterday with BeEcoChic’s huge opening event at the American Museum of Natural History. A campaign dedicated to raising awareness of environmentalism through fashion, the goal is to prove the fashion industry’s commitment is here to stay.

The start studded line up of designers included Chado Ralph Rucci, DKNY, Carmen Marc Valvo, Nicole Miller, Loomstate, Levi’s, Del Forte, Vena Cava, Maggie Norris Couture, Deborah Lindquist, Christian Cota, FORM, Red Carter, Laura Bennett and Thread Social.

Eko-lab and Ekovaruhuset will be showing their beautiful pieces later this week as well. Intricately crafted through collaborative design and with love, their use luxurious sustainable products and are even aiming to set up an NY fair-made facility where hand craft arts such as crochet, low-impact/natural dying nd screen printing will be practiced and taught in the local community. Cute.

Elisa Jimenez from the acclaimed Project Runway will be presenting her Summer 09 “Urban Nomads” Collection and United Bamboo, is showing on Saturday at the Altmann Building. (Santos after party anyone?)

In all honesty, the fashion industry’s movement toward green has been encouraging. Say what you will about pandering and partying, but new fabric developments, increases in organic demand and people like our girl Summer Ryan Oakes are evidence that you can have brains and beauty and that it can change an industry. Now if they would only H&M would stop using those little plastic hang-tags on  the knock-offs!

You can catch summer around NY Fashion week between her work in Mozambique, or you can come hear her insights on environmentalism in the fashion industry at The Feast on October 16th (runway not included).