For the eco-textile connoisseur, have I got a treat for you. Yes, you’ve explored the soft and wonderful worlds of organic cotton, hemp and bamboo, but have you ever worn nettles? I know, I was surprised, too, when I came across Savage Designs. I was attracted by the swingy, well-tailored cuts, high quality fabrics and funky designs. Then I noticed a sign, some photos, something about the fibers. I had to know more.

What I learned was this: Savage Designs makes their clothes out of sustainably wild crafted Himalayan nettles (yes, the stinging kind), processed naturally by hand into a soft and durable fabric. They also use bamboo, organic cotton and Tencel from eucalyptus trees. The clothing is eco-luxurious and casually edgy; designers Sunny and Stardust incorporate conscious business practices and eco-integrity into every step of the process. If you’ve ever wanted to wear the finest fibers the Earth can provide, these are the clothes for you.

When H&M announced it was starting an organic cotton collection last year, devoted shoppers yearning for sustainable apparel at ultra low prices got excited. Now the retail giant has announced its plans to not only incorporate more organic cotton in their spring collection, but also recycled cotton, wool, polyester and PET bottles from fabric remnants in production.

And being a progressive company realizing that being labeled as environmentally friendly means more than recycling soda bottles in the company break room and green fabrics, H&M has gone as far as providing an environmental objective and sustainability policy at their website.

H&M should probably consider their investment one of the wisest ones they’ve made in a while. Certainly better than forcing Madonna to strike a pose in a satin track suit. Enhancing its brand by being progressive (and catering to its desired shoppers: us) will only make them stronger.