Red carpet gown-watching is a reliably fun pastime for us glamour-obsessed non-celebrities, but we’re even more excited by the prospect of ethically-made and eco-friendly designer gowns that still have all the drama and romance of Hollywood. Norwegian-born designer Leila Hafzi marries eco with high fashion in producing her luxurious gowns.

Leila Hafzi gowns are hand-dyed with bright, vibrant, eco-friendly dyes that produce little water run-off that can be dangerous to the environment, and utilizes ethical fair trade practices. Many of the dresses in her Spring/Summer ’09 Utopia Collection are hand-painted with intricate animal-themed designs and prints by an acclaimed tattoo artist. The vivid hues of the gowns are a tribute to the 70’s, while the flowing silhouettes appear to be Greek-inspired.

Awards season is coming to a close this year, but we hope to see more starlets finding that glamour can be green because of gowns by designers like Leila Hafzi – and more designers utilizing the same ethical and environmental practices in their craft as well.

Learn more at leila-hafzi.com.

Tags: eco-couture, eco-friendly fashion, evening weark, fashion, Green Living, Leila Hafzi, los angeles