Eco-conscious accessories label GG2G took out the top prize at yesterday’s 2011 Social Entrepreneur Awards. The American company, which makes upcycled handbags and purses from old billboards and reclaimed restaurant seating fabrics, was awarded $5000 from reSET, the Social Enterprise Trust.

The award recognizes the work of individuals and firms with sustainable business plans looking to improve the community of Connecticut and offer employment prospects for its people.

GG2G plans to use the money to help establish a new location in Connecticut, in addition to its current operations in Milford. The green label’s new premises will employ dozens of Connecticut locals, who will receive living wages and additional benefits. GG2G also plans to run a training operation to teach sewing and other necessary skills for putting together the company’s apparel and accessories.

The firm’s co-founder Dayan Moore said GG2G is not looking to establish a factory in Connecticut. Instead she sees the new endeavor as “a social enterprise.”

We’ve long admired GG2G’s quirky green accessories, and the upcycling efforts that go into this creation. Hopefully this prize will help the eco-friendly brand take things to the next level. Do you think the label is a worthy recipient of the honor?

[Source: Hartford Courant]
[Image Source: GG2G website]

Just as I was bemoaning the lack of stylish knitted handbags, several have come out of the woodwork. If the cheap and cheerful approach of Pilar Abril’s Sixta left you longing for something more luxurious, fix your eyes on Proenza Schouler’s Book Bag.

Despite its fairly unassuming name, this Book Bag is big on style. Its body is made from rich black, merlot, green, and blue wool tightly knitted to create a Navajo style pattern. This tribal print is taken out of Africa with calf hair and leather trim. In some ways it’s a bit disappointing to see luxury labels using the designs of the world’s poorer nations to line their already deep pockets, but I can’t deny this purse looks smart.

The bag’s title promises practicality and Proenza Schouler delivers. This satchel has two large compartments, so there’s plenty of space for stashing text books and note pads. Open and zippered pockets help keep your smaller items organized. The strap’s on the skinny side, but it’s made of such quality leather that it shouldn’t fail us.

With this Proenza Schouler bag priced at $1525, I can’t imagine it appealing to students or interns. That’s a bit disappointing for a bag promising to carry books so well, although I’m sure it’ll find a market amongst trend conscious luxury lovers.

More Features of This Proenza Schouler Tribal Satchel

• Fully lined interior
• Push lock fastening at front
• Press stud fastening shoulder strap
• Measures 10 x 8 x 4 inches

Get this Proenza Schouler Book Bag:

• Available to buy at Net-A-Porter
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Proenza Schouler bags on BagBunch
• The Cleobella Nikko bag, a great alternative to this tribal bag.
• Searching for more Proenza Schouler bags on eBay
• Other book bags on eBay:

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The charity bags commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness month are coming thick and fast. The latest to turn our heads is this pink Jelly Tote from Maryland designer Danielle Nicole. Considering its bright pink hue, you can’t blame us for taking a second look!

This frosted jelly tote is certainly worth our attention though. Its brown fringe tassels and trim help make its sugary colored body more versatile. Its dimensions are generous, but it’s a little lacking in functional features. With only a single zippered pocket inside, you’ll need to know how to stay organized as this tote won’t do it for you.

The Jelly Tote is not made of real leather, but choosing a high quality synthetic hasn’t been a bad move for Danielle Nicole. It ensures this tote is water resistant, and also sees it affordably priced at $68.

And best of all, Danielle Nicole will donate a generous 20% of every sale to breast cancer research charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure. That generosity has garnered plenty of attention for the tote. It was recently featured in People magazine and WPIX11. All that buzz is great news for this up and coming designer, and of course for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

What do you think of this latest breast cancer awareness fundraising accessory?

[Source: Danielle Nicole website]

Danielle Nicole Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Danielle Nicole, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Given its name I’m not sure even Prezzo is taking its Novelty Bag seriously. If you’re looking for excess, this evening purse delivers.

There’s an awful lot going on here. The bag’s body is made from quite a lovely tapestry fabric. In fact, I might have warmed to this purse had Prezzo stopped there. Instead it added feathers and rosettes, bibs and bobs. Some of the accents are also gorgeous, but they’re applied so haphazardly and enthusiastically that they’re hard to appreciate. It’s almost as if Prezzo gave a glue gun to a toddler and told the tiny tot to go to town! The result is a purse that makes a statement, but a very messy one.

It was already too much, but the beaded strap takes things way over the edge. On a simpler purse I’d probably have appreciated it. The black and white mass of beads is certainly more interesting than the standard silver chain most labels provide. But it’s also too fussy for such a cluttered evening purse. However on this bag, that’s not surprising! We do get the choice of a plain black string purse, which while more sedate is just as tacky.

Sometimes the best thing that you can about a purse is “At least it’s cheap.” And yes, at $69, at least this Prezzo bag is cheap.

More Features of This Prezzo Feathered Evening Bag

• Black fabric lined interior
• Made in China

Get this Prezzo Novelty Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Prezzo bags on BagBunch
• The Felix Rey Cockatoo tote bag, a great alternative to this novelty feather bag.
• Searching for more Prezzo bags on eBay
• Other feather bags on eBay:

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Prada serves up the classic design that it does best with this Saffiano Lux tote.

This is a very traditional tote, but it’s Prada’s attention to detail that makes it something special. Its leather is of the highest quality, and its craftsmanship is first rate. I really love the blue color of the leather. It’s a more interesting choice than the traditional range of hues fashion house’s offer, but it’s also not overly flamboyant. This unexpected tone helps make the tote’s classic styling seem that much more inviting.

The Saffiano Lux is just as big as it needs to be. It’s spacious but not large enough to swamp us. We can fit everything we want inside it, and with its array of pockets those items should stay organized. However there’s not a lot of extraneous room, so we’re not tempted to load it up with things we don’t really need.

That’s a good thing too, because the handles are on the short side. They’ll sit comfortably in your hand or over your arm, but they’re not long enough to sling over your shoulder. Aesthetically they’re perfect, although a few extra inches would have made them a bit more practical. Another designer might have added a detachable shoulder strap, but that really would have spoiled the look. And when you’re carrying Prada, the look is all important.

After all, no one wants to spend $1,495 for an accessory that doesn’t deliver the wow factor. This tote definitely does, and its classic looks and craftsmanship will ensure it continues to impress for many years to come.

More Features of This Prada Classic Tote

• Magnetic button top
• Logo print lining
• Protective metal feet
• Dual handles with a 5 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 15 x 6.5 inches
• Made in Italy
• Also available in red

Get this Prada Saffiano Lux Handbag:

• Available to buy at Neiman Marcus
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Prada Saffiano Lux, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Shopdesigner611 eBay store to see if this Prada bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Prada bags on BagBunch
• The Prada Cut-Out Saffiano Tote bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more Prada bags on eBay

Forever 21 has teamed up with Sanrio for a fashion line starring Japan’s most famous cartoon cat. The Hello Kitty collection features women’s apparel and lingerie alongside handbags, socks, headbands, jewelry, and other accessories.

Forever 21’s Hello Kitty collection will hit stores, including its website, on November 18. As we’d expect from the retailer the prices are very affordable. Pieces start from just $3.80, and the most expensive is still very reasonable at $30.

Hello Kitty is enjoying a bit of a grown-up renaissance at the moment. It wasn’t too long ago that we saw the cute cat gracing Vans shoes and cosmetics collections for Sephora and Liberty London. The diversity of this range definitely takes things to the next level though.

Dressing head to toe in Hello Kitty garb, as this model’s done, is probably a bit excessive. However I can imagine a few well-chosen accessories could add the right dash of whimsy to your new season wardrobe. Yet I’m sure plenty of adults may feel the items are simply too cutesy to find a place in their wardrobes. As a Sanrio fan it’s also a little disappointing to see Hello Kitty as the only character featured. She might be the most popular, but Badtz-Maru, Chococat, and Keroppi are every bit as adorable!

Are you excited to see this limited edition line hit Forever 21 stores?

[Source: College Fashion]

Hello Kitty Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Hello Kitty, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

As winter approaches, woolen handbags are coming back into vogue. However all too often knitted purses seem as stylish as Christmas themed sweaters. Thankfully Pilar Abril’s done it right with the Sixta satchel.

The secret is the conservative, complementary colors. The chunky cable knit body could have appeared homespun, but the matching synthetic trim dresses it up a bit. Leather would have been a better aesthetic choice, as this manmade skin has the telltale shine of cheaper materials. However, we’d have paid a premium for the genuine article, and when it’s used sparingly I’m not sure it’s worth the extra expense.

Drawstrings are never my favorite kind of closure, as they’re fiddly to use and not very secure. However the tie does give the Sixta a lovely relaxed silhouette. The interior also has a zippered pocket, so we can hide our most precious valuables away.

The strap is the perfect finishing touch. It’s long enough for easy carrying, wide enough to wear comfortably, and flat so it won’t slide off our shoulder. It looks pretty simple, but frankly we couldn’t ask for anything more.

That’s especially true for the price. At $84, you won’t mind putting this handbag away in the closet once winter leaves us again.

More Features of This Pilar Abril Knitted Satchel

• Logo print lining
• A single strap with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 11 x 13 x 6.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Pilar Abril Sixta Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Pilar Abril bags on BagBunch
• The Big Buddha Katie hobo bag, a great alternative to this knit bag.
• Searching for more Pilar Abril bags on eBay
• Other knitted bags on eBay:

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When I heard that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen would sell a $39, 000 alligator backpack as part of their new The Row accessories line, I scoffed. I doubted that anyone would spend such a significant amount of money on a backpack. But it seems that my doubt was misplaced, as the backpack is the first from the range to sell out.

Fashion retailers aren’t entirely surprised by the interest in the luxury backpack. Barneys’ fashion director Amanda Brooks said that “If you were ever going to spend $39, 000 on a bag, that’s the bag you should buy.” I guess I just underestimated the number of people who intended to spend $39, 000 on a bag!

As if the price wasn’t already prohibitive, the popularity of the backpack style has also taken me aback. Sure it’s made of alligator, so immediately covetable. But at the end of the day, it’s a backpack. While it’s practical, or as practical as any bag with a five-figure bottom line can be, the style still reminds us of our early school days. I suppose the popularity of The Row’s backpack might elevate the style to a new luxury status, but I’m still not convinced.

There’s no denying the numbers though. I had some serious doubts, but it seems Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen know exactly what they’re doing.

[Source: My Fashion Life]

A jumbled alphabet print gives this Metal Letters shoulder bag from Paul Smith some real personality.

This is a new pattern from Paul Smith, and one that’s really refreshing. Let’s face it; there are only so many rainbow swirls we can see before the colors start to feel tired. This print is a bit more masculine, especially when paired with this shoulder bag’s brown strap and trim.

This shoulder bag’s unisex style matches the print’s androgynous appeal. Its canvas body is slouchy and relaxed, although the leather accents dress it up a bit.

The pop of purple lining inside is a lovely contrast to the more muted exterior. The interior is fairly minimalist with just a single zippered pocket, although this Metal Letters bag is small enough that we don’t need much more than that. It’ll hold everyday essentials, but probably not a lot more.

Considering its smallish size and affordable materials I’m surprised Paul Smith is charging $380 for this shoulder bag. That’s really a lot to pay for what it is, although it’s still not exorbitant in the fashion world.

More Features of This Paul Smith Alphabet Shoulder Bag

• Top zip closure
• An adjustable shoulder strap
• Measures 9 x 9 x 4 inches

Get this Paul Smith Metal Letters Handbag:

• Available to buy at Far Fetch
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Paul Smith bags on BagBunch
• The Kathy Van Zeeland Jet Setter Ball Shopper bag, a great alternative to this letter decorated bag.
• Searching for more Paul Smith bags on eBay
• Other alphabet bags on eBay:

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We all know Pacsafe as the maker of secure travel bags. Now with the CentroSafe it’s created an accessory that’s perfect for braving the nine to five grind.

This is a laptop bag that means business. While Pacsafe says it holds a 15.4 inch laptop in its padded compartment, but customers claim it’s large enough to fit two notebooks. Personally I’d use the rest of that space for other office essentials. You can really put anything inside without worrying about it thanks to the bag’s many security features.

The slash-proof shoulder strap has a built-in combination lock, allowing you to securely affix it to immovable fixtures. The zips on every compartment are tamper-proof, and the lower front and bottom panels are made from Pacsafe’s patent eXomesh Slashguard material.

The CentroSafe is a conservative creature made for the boardroom. Pacsafe’s never been a label that’s fussed too much with aesthetics, but by offering only basic black here the CentroSafe has even less individuality than its stablemates. That’s not a bad thing considering its office application though. The color is simple and appropriate for the most traditional of workplaces.

More Features of This Pacsafe Laptop Briefcase

• Dual handles
• Measures 17.3 x 12.6 x 4.7 inches
• Weighs 3.2 pounds

Get this Pacsafe CentroSafe Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Pacsafe Centrosafe, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Suite Stuff Shopper eBay store to see if this Pacsafe bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Pacsafe bags on BagBunch
• The Pacsafe ScanSafe laptop bag, a great alternative to this laptop bag.
• Searching for more Pacsafe bags on eBay