By Darrah Le Montre, staff writer

Earth Day serves as a catalyst for Hollywood celebs and fashion plates alike to wear their ethics on their sleeve, and everywhere else –

From Stella McCartney to Payless Be-gone Birkenstocks, hello eco-couture!

LOS ANGELES (RPRN) 04/17/09 -Earth Day is April 22nd and there’s no wiry excuse left not to pitch in with a daily good deed to aid the environment. Not only is it karma-licious, but it’s trendy too. The conundrum of trading in smart fashion sense for do-gooding is long gone. In part, thanks to cutting-edge designers with a conscience.

Lucky for us, designer Stella McCartney is no stranger to ethical threads. With her no holds barred, no-fur policy she makes it possible for ladies to rock the red carpet or the city streets without fear of a drive-by flouring from a local PETA practitioner.

Popular Stella items include the Organic Cotton Voile Top, Organic Oversized Cotton Knitted Cardigan, and the Cloud Print El Mer Shift Dress. Check out her unique spin on sportswear, Adidas by Stella McCartney, and moniker scent, so patchouli is no longer the only signature of a chic consumer with a conscience. Visit, STELLAMCCARTNEY.com.

Beth Doane, founder of Andira International and the Andira Rain-Tee Collection, offers a Rescue an Animal Program through her charity Merazonia, which rescues trafficked and abused Amazonian animals. Find out more about it on RAINTEES.com.

For those on a budget, and in this economy – who isn’t – Payless Shoe Source announced plans to launch a first-ever affordable green footwear line. According to ECOSHOESOURCE.WORDPRESS.com, the national shoe-seller will release the green footwear line early next year. Eco Shoe Source also reports that Payless has “signed an agreement with Summer Rayne Oakes, Discovery Network’s Planet Green fashion and beauty expert to serve as the green footwear brand’s Eco Consultant.”

Lynn Hasselberger, founder of myEARTH360.com is a mom with the Midas touch and a golden Rolodex.
Her Hollywood ‘09 Gift Bags by Distinctive Assets contain reusable water bottles, bookmarks manufactured with carbon neutral paper, 100% beeswax candles and vegan chocolate truffles among other things. A stand-out item in these bags – which are made from fibers extracted from a banana plant relative, is a recycled belt made from truck tire inner tubes! Leonardo DiCaprio and Sheryl Crow are committed environmentalists, both of whom have received Lynn Hasselberger’s Hollywood ’09 Gift Bags and support her cause. And she also sells Beth Doane’s RainTees.

Hasselberger’s innovative way to get her eco-friendly message to stars and civilians alike is housed on her website as well as in her gift bags. myEARTH360.COM has adorable and enviro-conscious T-shirts for women and children, called “Rain Tees.” According to the website, “Rain tees are a 100% organic” and “designed by youth living in endangered rain forests across central and South America.” For every Rain tee sold, “a child involved in Kids Saving the Rain Forest, Costa Rica will receive a tree they can plant to replace one that has been destroyed.” The “Loro Perico Rain Tee,” available on myEarth360.com, goes for $37.99 and features endangered Amazon love birds kissing inside a painted feather. Quite a steal, considering you’re also buying a Costa Rican child a new tree. For that, you may just go to heaven.

Another celeb on the forefront of environmentalism is Woody Harrelson. An avid eco-warrior, the actor has a website called VOICEYOURSELF.com, with many golden tips on lightening your carbon footprint. He was also featured in the Sundance Audience Award-winning film “Fuel,” out now in select theatres. “Fuel” explores how bio-diesel can change our dependence on foreign oil, and aid the planet.

If you’re anything like this reporter, you adore the designs south of your ankle. And why shouldn’t they be as ethical as your cotton dress or recycled belt? For the latest trends in cruelty-free fashions for the feet, try Kim Kardashian’s monthly shoe club, “Shoe Dazzle,” which features a vegan stiletto sandal called, “Artemisa.”

Perhaps this Earth Day, you and your loved one can garner a cool new pair of recycled shoes and walk to the nearest theatre for a matinee showing.