Sustainable Swiss handbag label Freitag has added a convertible bag for cyclists to its green collection. The clever F60 JOAN bags can become bicycle baskets with just a little know how.

The F60 JOAN bags feature two discrete rear tabs, which help them easily affix to bicycle handlebars. Strapping one on to your cycle sounds a lot easier than wrestling with a handbag on your morning ride!

Like the rest of the Freitag collection, the F60 JOAN is made entirely from recycled materials. In this case the company’s crafted the bags from used truck tarpaulins. This fabric is seriously tough, so you needn’t worry about subjecting it to a little punishment.

Freitag is promoting its newest creation with the clever video above. It sees cyclists in Berlin, Rome, Tokyo, New York, Paris, and other locations around the world using the F60 JOAN as they ride about their cities. If it works for them, I’m sure it’ll work for you too!

Freitag claims it wants its F60 JOAN to become “as famous as a certain movie character from the world of 1960s advertising in New York.” Can you imagine it becoming a cult classic?

The F60 JOAN bags are available in a range of colors for $170 Swiss francs from the Freitag website.

[Source: PSFK]

Freitag Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Freitag, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Sonia Rykiel serves up a fun casual bucket bag for summer with the Capaia.

It’s on trend colorblocked finish makes it feel really contemporary, but I don’t expect this bag to date as quickly as many of the accessories following the fad. Rather than the retro treatment we see in many modern bags, Sonia Rykiel’s opted for classic wide stripes. This timeless pattern is punched up a bit with warm sunrise hues.

By opting for a traditional bucket shape, Sonia Rykiel’s ensured its bucket will continue to endure. I’m not the greatest fan of drawstrings, but I concede it gives the Capaia a playful, casual shape. The relaxed closure also allows us to overstuff it with summer essentials. The spacious interior is well appointed with a zippered pocket, pair of patches, and a convenient key ring. The single strap could stand to be a bit wider for comfort, but as it’s made from calfskin it shouldn’t snap.

As summer’s starting to wind down, I understand hesitating to spend $610 on a bag celebrating the season. But those hues also remind me of fall leaves, and they could probably add pop to cold weather neutrals! If you can use it to punch up your winter wardrobe you’ll certainly see value.

More Features of This Sonia Rykiel Colorblocked Bucket Bag

• Fully lined interior
• A single strap with a 14 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 13 x 9 inches

Get this Sonia Rykiel Capaia Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Sonia Rykiel bags on BagBunch
• The Harveys Berkeley bag, a great alternative to this striped bucket bag.
• Searching for more Sonia Rykiel bags on eBay
• Other striped bucket bags on eBay:

[phpbay]striped bucket, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

I have sort of a love/hate/love relationship with Jimmy Choo. The fashion house’s designs are often classic, cooly trendy, but sometimes a bit boring. That is not the case with this Justine python tote. It has all of Choo’s signature classic elegance and throws in a really cool material and color palette to boot.

I’m not really sure how to describe the shape of the Justine. It’s almost like a bowling bag, but without any of  your typical bowler’s awkward clunkiness. Luckily, the size is reasonable enough to hold most of your daily necessities, including perhaps a small laptop, but it’s small enough that it won’t get too bulky to carry either. The front flap closure pocket is a convenient touch, and will let you easily stow your smaller items.

The material on this Justine is the real showstopper, though. Python is luxe and fabulous enough on its own, but the candy colored dye job really takes it to the next level. It’s bright enough to be the best summer bag ever, but it won’t be too much in the cooler months.

$7,295 is the price you’d pay for a really nice Vespa, but in my opinion, this Justine tote will take you just as far.

More Features Of The Jimmy Choo Justine Python Tote

• 12″ x 12″ x 7″ size
• Interior zipper pocket
• Fully lined in twill

Get this Jimmy Choo Justine Python Tote:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Jimmy Choo bags on BagBunch
• The Jimmy Choo Simone hobo, a stylish alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Jimmy Choo bags on eBay
• Other python totes on eBay:

[phpbay]python tote, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Valentino’s retirement a few years ago rocked the fashion kingdom to its roots. Since then, the line has been back and forth, up and down. Luckily, this silk georgette rosette clutch stays true to his designs. It is beautifully refined, elegant, and timeless.

The shape of this clutch is, at its foundation, a simple rectangle. The addition of the rosettes gives it a ton of texture and volume. I love the simple swirl design of the rosettes themselves. The softness of the silk georgette makes the look ultra-feminine, while the scattered pattern of differently-sized appliqués makes the surface interesting and multifaceted.

The rhinestone detailed frame takes the bag to another level of glamour. The combination of the rich red of the fabric and the sparkle of the stones has old Hollywood all over it. The delicate chain strap can be easily hidden inside the pouch if you’re looking for a clean, sophisticated look.

Overall, this is a totally timeless and truly gorgeous piece that makes its $2,345 price tag seem almost reasonable.

More Features Of The Valentino Silk Georgette Rosette Clutch

• 10″ x 5″ x 2” size
• 9” strap drop
• Fully lined in red silk satin

Get this Valentino Silk Georgette Evening Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Valentino bags on BagBunch
• The Bebe Metallic Mesh Clutch, an edgy evening alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Valentino handbags on eBay
• Other red silk clutches on eBay:
  [phpbay]red silk clutch purse, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Stella McCartney gets back to basics with this Hawaiian Shopping Bag.

The designer hasn’t reinvented the wheel here, but there are some nice things about this shopper. I’ve long appreciated Stella McCartney’s stance against animal cruelty but her vegan-friendly skins don’t always hit the mark. All too often they’re thin, tacky, and overpriced. The nylon she’s used here isn’t exactly opulent, but it doesn’t look quite as cheap as the leather mimics she typically employs.

The Hawaiian landscape is a bit predictable for a summer bag, but it’s nice enough. I love the way the warm yellow hibiscus flowers pop against the cool blue surf and green palm trees. Continuing the print on the straps shows real attention to detail.

I can’t rave about this nylon shopper on a practical level, but it doesn’t really let us down either. I would prefer a zippered top to the magnetic snap, and slightly longer handles would have been smarter. But Stella McCartney has the basics covered, and that should be enough to appease her fans.

And they might even be willing to spend $635 on it. But for me, that’s highway robbery for a nylon bag, no matter who’s designed it.

More Features of This Stella McCartney Nylon Tote

• An interior open pocket
• Fully lined
• Dual top handles with a 6.25 inch drop
• Measures 15.5 x 14 x 7.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Stella McCartney Hawaiian Handbag:

• Available to buy at Saks Fifth Avenue
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Stella McCartney bags on BagBunch
• The Stella McCartney Nirvana tote bag, a great alternative to this printed nylon bag.
• Searching for more Stella McCartney bags on eBay
• Other Hawaiian bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Hawaiian, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Actress Kate Bosworth has launched a new accessories collection for her label, JewelMint. While JewelMint focused exclusively on jewelry, the 13-piece Boutique line features belts, jewelry-inspired bags, clutch purses, and jewelry.

Boutique and JewelMint are both the joint endeavors of Bosworth and her long-time stylist Cher Coulter. The pairing seems to be working, as Bosworth recently told WWD that they are “never at a loss for inspiration. Traveling so often allows me to observe what is different in the world; both in a contemporary sense and also by exploring vintage markets and shops.“

She added that the most rewarding part of creating a fashion line is spotting others wearing her pieces. Although wearing them herself must also be a perk. Bosworth was recently snapped carrying the Boutique Metal Envelope Bag.

The Boutique line is affordably priced for women on a budget. The cheapest pieces start at $60, and the most expensive are still reasonable at $90. You can shop for the Boutique collection now on JewelMint.com, but you’ll need to create your free style profile with the website first.

What do you think of Kate Bosworth’s latest accessories? Are you glad to see her expand her collection to include handbags, or do you think she should stick to acting?

[Source: Digital Spy]
[Image Source: Georges Biard/Wikipedia Commons]

Sondra Roberts overdoses on metal with this Ring Toss hobo.

I really like grommets as a more unusual alternative to studs, but like all accents I think they’re best used sparingly. They’re called accents for a reason, so they shouldn’t dominate the design. But Sondra Roberts seems to have thrown out that rulebook when creating the Ring Toss. The hobo is covered in silver metal rings in an array of sizes. I suppose she hoped they might jazz up the drab gray synthetic, but that fabric is so dull there’s no saving it.

All those grommets already made the bag too busy, so I suppose Sondra Roberts figured she had nothing to lose by adding a bit more. And so we find oversized bows on the shoulder strap. I’m really not sure why, as they don’t seem to gel with all that metal.

But when you get down to the nitty gritty the Ring Toss is more practical than it looks. A zippered pocket running down the center of the main compartment divides the space into three easy to use sections. Then there are interior and exterior pockets in the front and back to make organization a breeze.

If you love the look, you’ll be happy to see this Ring Toss hobo costs just $75. It’s not my cup of tea, but I concede it’s not a lot of money to spend on a bag with such a distinctive look.

More Features of This Sondra Roberts Grommet Decorated Hobo

• Zip closure
• Fully lined interior
• Also available in camel

Get this Sondra Roberts Ring Toss Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Sondra Roberts bags on BagBunch
• The Emporio Armani Embellished Tote bag, a great alternative to this grommet decorated bag.
• Searching for more Sondra Roberts bags on eBay
• Other grommet hobo bags on eBay:

[phpbay]grommet hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Dior Homme creative director Kris Van Assche will release his third capsule collection for Eastpack next month.

The new season line, dubbed Work, features an elegant mix of masculine backpacks, bags, and suitcases made with office and business trips in mind. Men and women who favour androgynous designs should be able to indulge in the pieces no matter which rung of the corporate ladder they stand, as they’re affordably priced between €55 and €225.

Critics might suggest they’re not very inspired, but I like the way that Van Assche has reinterpreted Eastpack’s classic designs. They’re minimalist and timeless, with functional features to boot. And as Van Assche has used a mix of canvas and leather, they’re both durable and sophisticated.

Eastpack has released an elegant lookbook to publicize Kris Van Assche’s new Work capsule collection. The glossy but simply shot catalog sees Arthur Gosse posing with the accessories for Bruno Staub. By choosing simple backdrops and neutral apparel, Eastpack’s ensured its latest collection is the focus.

Kris Van Assche’s Work collection will hit Eastpack stores in July, just in time for the fall winter 2012 season. What do you think of the Dior Homme mastermind’s latest design work for Eastpack?

[Source: View on Fashion]

Eastpack Backpacks on eBay

[phpbay]Eastpack backpack, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

We can’t all splash out on designer label accessories, so budget bags have an important space in the fashion landscape. But I still expect these affordable options to deport themselves with a sense of style. So it’s disappointing to come across a bag like Soapbox’s Katie, which looks every bit as cheap as its price tag.

It’s ironic that the Katie looks so cheap, because it seems Soapbox has done everything it can to make it appear luxurious. The embossed finish is intended to mimic opulent crocodile skin, and the glossy surface has a patent appearance. But the scales aren’t convincing, and the finish is too shiny to truly impress. Funnily enough, I think the Katie would look better if Soapbox hadn’t treated its material at all!

The Katie is a petite bag, but it’s a well-designed one. A trio of reinforced pockets are on hand to keep your daily essentials in order. Its zippered top offers the security we need, and the adjustable strap helps us find just the right fit. I also appreciate the slender silhouette, which sees it fit snugly against our bodies.

It feels mean to pick apart a bag costing just $45. If that’s all you have to spend, you’ll be hard pressed to find worse. But personally I’d save a little longer to indulge in a more elegant looking accessory.

More Features of This Soapbox Croc-Embossed Cross-Body

• Fully lined interior
• Measures 3.5 x 9 x 7.5 inches
• Also available in purple

Get this Soapbox Katie Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Soapbox bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Soapbox bags on BagBunch
• The Soapbox Jesse messenger bag, a great alternative to this croc-embossed bag.
• Searching for more Soapbox bags on eBay
• Other croc-embossed cross-body bags on eBay:

[phpbay]croc-embossed cross-body, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Second to Napoleon, Christian Louboutin might be one of the most recognizable French names ever. His impeccably styled designs have caught the eyes of fashionistas the world over. Usually, his taste level is absolutely unimpeachable, but I’m afraid this Justine shoulder bag leaves a lot to be desired.

The Justine is basically a tote bag. It has a traditional, square tote shape, and the open style of the interior is totally like that of a tote. The shoulder strap seems more like an afterthought than anything else, and the size and shape don’t really lend themselves to being comfortably carried by a long, slim strap. I’m not really sure what’s going on with the design, but it seems a bit confused.

The look of the bag is confusing, as well. The Justine is mostly classic, but then it has these puckered corners and fringe details that I think are supposed to look bohemian. The truth is that they just look kind of weird, and not in a cool, avant-garde sort of way. The bag is a sadly disorienting mishmash of styles that just doesn’t work.

You could pay $2,795 for the honor of carrying the Justine, but I really wouldn’t if I were you.

More Features Of The Christian Louboutin Justine Fringed Leather Shoulder Bag

• 18″ x 13″ x 7″ size
• Detachable shoulder strap
• Lined in signature red twill

Get this Christian Louboutin Justine Shoulder Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Christian Louboutin bags on BagBunch
• The Christian Louboutin Pillow Clutch, a sweet alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Christian Louboutin items on eBay
• Other red fringed leather totes on eBay:

[phpbay]red fringed leather tote handbag, 2, “”[/phpbay]