We let you know back in June that eco-friendly designer Stella McCartney was creating a line for GAP Kids. The runway designer has been an early adopter of fashion for the people, creating an H&M line back in 2005, and an ongoing athletic collection at Adidas boutiques nationwide. And now she's paving the way for top designers to enter into the kids market.

If you'd fancy dressing up your toddler in tuxedo jackets or tulle skirts, then this is the collection for you. And while the collection is full of statement pieces, there are also lots of practicals like jeans, tunics, and caps. McCartney created the line with her own children in mind. "I believe that kids clothing should be more accessibly priced," she said in a release, "which is particularly important at the moment given the current climate." Prices start at $14 for colored knit tights and on the higher end, a baby cashmere blanket sells for $98. The collection is sure to sell out quickly, and give some much needed holiday sales to the GAP and further make McCartney's luxury brand a household name.

Green. Sustainable. Recyclable. Not exactly the first words you use to describe luxury fashion, right? At the same time, numerous clothing companies have been founded on the principal of being eco-friendly.

I'll admit, the skeptic in me began to worry when giant brands like Guess, Inc. started producing lines purporting to be green. Green's big business and it made for great advertising and public relations. But how can you tell whether a line that claims to be green is really green?

I posed the question to Emma Grady, a contributing fashion writer at TreeHugger.com (a division of the Discovery Channel) who helps sort this out for consumers. "We do this by asking lots of questions to understand a garment's life cycle," she says. "Where are the fabrics sourced? How are they produced? How far does the product travel (shipping is a major source of pollution)? Is the cotton grown in Africa, weaved in India, then shipped to a store in California? What dyes are used in the process?"

Grady and her team at TreeHugger.com a number of designers' sustainable practices are the real deal. It's worth listing a few of them here. Not surprising, Stella McCartney is one. McCartney is well-known vegan and has long produced pleather shoes, belts and handbags to avoid the environmentally taxing tanning process.

Linda Loudermilk, a designer from Los Angeles, is another to watch. I interviewed Loudermilk a few years ago and she told me she spends countless hours researching and developing textiles that are not only made from certified eco-conscious materials, but suited for high design. I found this particularly impressive because the fashion design process is already grueling. And, no doubt, these steps added a lot of expense to production costs.

EDUN, founded in 2005 by Ali Hewson and Bono, promotes sustainable employment in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, reads its mission statement. The line's primary focus is trade but it's also working to use more organic materials in the collection.

Even small things like recycling zippers and buttons can make a big difference, says Grady. Props to Yves Saint Laurent for earlier this year unveiling an eco-friendly capsule collection called "New Vintage." The idea was to create classic YSL styles using fabrics from past collections.

If designers can't be innovative, who can?

The Stella McCartney Studded Faux Suede Clutch is an unusually fabulous little purse.

The purse, as one would expect from Ms. McCartney, is made of cruelty-free faux leather (and nobody does it better than she does), and decorated with gold and gunmetal studs.

The style is part Aztec and part astronomy, with its celestial circles (love the lopsided kiss lock closure) and angular patterns we're used to seeing done with beads -- this time, they're all studs. The purse has function as well as form; it's 8" tall by 12" wide. I feel like it's been ages since I've seen a clutch large enough to fit my wallet!

The Stella McCartney Studded Faux Suede Clutch is available from Intermix for $835.00.

Metallics aren't usually my favorite but something about this Metallic Fabric Tote by Stella McCartney really caught my eye. It's a pretty burnished brass color that acts as a neutral as far as pairing it with outfits goes, and it has a little bit of a "structure forced to go casual" vibe about it that I really like. A wide beige strap ties around the center, decorated with geometrical resin details on the ends. It comes with a small purse chain and one zip pocket on the inside, plus an adjustable shoulder strap. $608

Designer Stella McCartney has formed a new partnership with Gap Inc. The popular designer will create a collection of children's clothes to be carried by select GapKids and babyGap stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and Japan. The collection will also be online. McCartney, known for higher priced clothing, says that now is the time to create affordable clothing for children.

This move is just part of Gap's plans to revitalize the company which has been suffering lately. Today the company, which also operates the Banana Republic and Old Navy stores announced plans to remodel about 50 Old Navy stores in 2009 and open about 40 new franchise stores internationally. The company also plans to expand offerings for the online shoe and handbag shop, Piperlime adding 50 new contemporary apparel labels later this summer.

The Gem-Embellished Clutch is another sparkling floral beauty by Stella McCartney. Light and neutral, it will go with all kinds of spring and summer dresses or even a pretty blouse with jeans might work. Champagne twill is accented with silvertone hardware and pretty flower gem embellishments on both the front and back, in haphazard colors, shapes, and sizes. Definitely no shortage of femininity here! The clutch is made in the fold-over-flap style and has a logo-embossed charm on one side, plus a taupe satin lining. $995

Stella McCartney has created a lot of "happy" designs in the past and now she's done it again with her collection of 'cloud print' goods that are exclusively available at Net-a-Porter. It's definitely a casual, slightly whimsical print, and the pieces she's created are comfortable and relaxed. There's a tote, a pair of flat sandals and a cute wedge, plus an organic cotton t-shirt, a breezy jersey dress, and a silk shirt. Each comes with a special silver tag label.

The only thing missing in the collection is a nice floppy sun hat for the beach!

Maybe this is the year you want to send a valentine to the planet, express your love for the environment, in addition to impressing the object of your desire.

Luxury gifts that just might turn the tide against climate change abound, and there are plenty more that are chic reminders that going green looks good these days -- like Stella McCartney's just-released organic lingerie line.

Don't forget all-organic romance: flowers (like the dozen roses at right, sustainably farmed and harvested using fair labor practices), truffles, champagne and candles. See the gallery for inspiration.

Looking like a miniature suitcase, this Melamine East West Clutch by Stella McCartney is something different in the world of handbags. Comprised of melamine wood and gold hardware it might be hard and structured on the outside, but it's soft and feminine on the inside (thanks to a blue suede lining). Other accents include cute little feet on the bottom and a large gold plaque on the front that's embossed with Stella McCartney's logo.

I think it's awesome but per my usual I'm wishing it came in a silver version! $2,795

It's been two long years since famed Chloé resuscitator Phoebe Philo left the studio to focus on her family. But come October, Philo will take over as Creative Director at Celine, in a move that parent co. LVMH hopes will again breathe new life into a flagging luxury brand.

Credited for designing perhaps the mother of all It-bags, the Chloé Paddington, Philo started out as Stella McCartney's assistant at Chloé before McCartney left to design her own eponymous line. And like everything in fashion, Philo's appointment makes whatever happens at fashion week (which starts today in New York) feel like old news. She'll present her first collection for Celine in March 2009.

This is a gorgeous clutch, and right up my alley because not only do I love the gentle dove gray color but I also love that it manages to look very luxe and a little glitzy without featuring any jewels or over-the-top crystals.

The Chain Embroidered Clutch by Stella McCartney is a generously sized (looks bigger on the model than I would have expected) simple silk frame clutch with heavy chain embroidery decorating the sides, silver hardware (including a clasp on the top for closing), and a black satin lining. $1,395

Obviously I see a lot of handbags writing for Luxist and I can usually find something good about them all, but this is one I would truly love to own myself. I love to wear anything that comes in grassy shades of green, and this Ombré Chiffon Clutch by Stella McCartney does it just perfectly in my opinion. Blending from jewel-toned green to black, and looking ultra-feminine in delicately ruched chiffon, this clutch is an instant classic that's a lot more affordable than many other designer bags. Fastens with a zip closure and logo-embossed disc zipper charm along the top, and features satin trim. $395

As fun as it is to get dressed up for a party, if you have a lot of them on your calendar then the frills and lace might be getting old and hum drum. This metal clutch by Stella McCartney is the perfect way to add an edgy new vibe to your favorite cocktail dress, or even wear it with a cute pair of jeans to a summer bbq. Just beware, the brass metal might be neutral and go with everything but any colorful accessories you keep inside can change the whole look in a heartbeat! Brass metal with a white metal clasp closure, $895.

This Beaded Fold-Over Clutch bag by Stella McCartney has a simple and classic shape mixed with fun details like an intricate mosaic-like beaded design and a colorful beaded tassel hanging off one end. Made with glass beads and satinised brass hardware, this bag only comes in the one color scheme but can still go with almost anything. It's also very versatile as far as easily dressing up for an evening party or dressing down for a casual afternoon -- not sure how much daily wear and tear it can take though, without risk of losing some beads. $1495

Stella McCartney is a well known fashion designer, and the daughter of former Beatte Paul McCartney. She is famous for using no fur or leather in her designs and being a devout vegetarian and animal activist. These stunning engraved platform sandals, feature intricate floral etchings on the 6 inch wooden heels and simple beige canvas straps over the toe and around the ankles. The rubber soles on the bottom are a nice touch since some wooden shoes can be very slippery! Available on net-a-porter.com for $1,095.