Each pair of Del Fortes is made in the U.S. using cotton from farms in Texas and California, certified by the Texas Department of Agriculture and Quality Assurance International respectively. She is bummed that indigo is still a waste issue, but happy that the US has relatively strict environmental regulations, compared to China where much of the dye ends up in rivers.

While it's difficult to get around the indigo conundrum, Tierra is looking for solutions in other areas. "With denim, an area that needs to be improved is the washing process that makes it look like we've worn the jeans." She is looking into ozone washing and using natural enzymes like coffee and tea in order to lighten the environmental footprint of Del Forte Denim. She also integrates practices like hand sanding as opposed to the relatively intensive sand blasting.

And? She re-purposes. Project Rejeaneration starts when you get a shopping bag that will turn into a shipping container for your used denim. Save it, and when for some crazy reason you're done with your Del Fortes, you can send them back and get 10% off your next purchase or choose to have that money donated to the sustainable cotton project. Tierra's team will make a new garment from your loved one. How could she impress us more?

By bravely wading through challenges that break many an eco-design innovators. Del Forte's orders are getting bigger and it's difficult to keep up with jean-seekers. "The mill I'm using is here in the states is one of the oldest in the country and only recently got into organic. In January of 2005 I couldn't find organic denim with stretch anywhere in the world. In a short time we saw a major turning point from mill level. Now we're definitely to the point where we're running out of our fabric to meet demand."

As many of us who have hunted eco-threads know, most organic cotton goes into knits. Tierra notes, "As demand increases there will be more availability in wovens and denim."

Clearly, girlfriend is doing her part. What can you do? "I spoke with someone from fred segal recently and he said shoppers are walking into his department asking for organics. Go to the stores and ask for it. Know the companies you're buying from in general. A lot of mainstream companies are adopting the language of the environmental movement without changing their processes in any way."

Tierra was able to turn around her old denim life in part because of inspiration from friend Jocelyn Whipple, who was a veteran of environmentally friendly fabric and fashion. "She was adorable, stylish, fun, and compelling. Not shaming, but amazing." Jocelyn introduced Tierra to organics, and her upbeat influence provided an impetus to start the line.

Now that Tierra is doing her thing, I'm guessing that for a lot of women out there jean love will provide a gateway to eco-awareness. When someone makes you happy, you want to learn more about her. How can you do start a chain reaction from where you are? :: Del Forte Denim