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As someone who loves fashion design, and loves to create - and therefore buy things so that I can create - going green and living sustainably has been on my mind when it comes to clothing and accessories.

Enter the great idea of Clothing Swap. If you've ever gone through your closet and bemoaned the idea of getting rid of well-loved clothes that had once fetched a fair price, this is for you. Heck, if you just want to get something for relatively nothing, this is for you.

Clothing Swap started in San Francisco and is working on expanding in other cities. It is a fashion "free-for-all" event where people barter/swap clothing out of their closets, and bring it to the swap destination. Their website advises those participating to bring "CLEAN, new (and gently worn) shoes, clothing and accessories," in all manner of sizes and styles. They're brought in bags, and sorted before the mad dash for that sensational swap begins.

And here's a little bonus – Suzanne Agasi (Clothing Swaps founder) is genius, because these events are often held in fun, upscale venues and even night clubs! What's better than drinking, dancing, gal pals and free clothes (I was about to write, "throw in pro bono massage and I may never come home" when I checked the website to find that, oh yes, massage will be offered at an upcoming event).

They only charge a $10-30 admission fee, which - if you think of the awesome clothes you could buy - is so well worth it. As a business model, it might not seem like this would make a lot of money, and on admission alone it probably doesn't. But the Clothing Swap folks have gotten numerous sponsors, which is probably where they make some of their money. And from the sponsor's point of view, it's a perfect target demographic: young, hip guys and gals, meeting up in swanky lounges to get great fashion on the cheap.

But men – fear not! Clothing Swap recently added events for the closet-space-challenged male. Which creates a similar environment for guys to get free, hip clothes as well.

True, it's not really a venue where I can make money on my homemade (or home-altered) fashion creations, but at least I'm not spending any money to get new stuff. PLUS - it's not really new anyway, and the Earth thanks me for that! I know a lot of Ekaweeka designers use salvaged and recycled materials - so I applaud you for being one step ahead of me! And if you're not thinking sustainably when it comes to creation and design, I encourage you to at least start brainstorming.