Sharon Osbourne Auctions Fendi Spy Bag | British Celebrity Fundraises for Prince’s Trust

Posted on: Jul 10

Sharon Osbourne Fendi Spy BagFlamboyant British media personality Sharon Osbourne is auctioning off her golden Fendi Spy bag for charity.

The purse is currently fetching £130 on the Sellebrity auction website, but with more than six days to go we can expect it to fetch much more. And quite rightly so when a brand new Spy bag would cost more than two grand!

Sharon Osbourne’s auction purse comes with an autographed tag and a signed photograph of the star, so her fans will see real value here.

And best of all, all money raised will benefit The Prince’s Trust. This charity, founded by Prince Charles in 1976, offers financial grants and training and mentoring programs to disadvantaged youths. Now that’s a great excuse to dig deep if I’ve ever heard one. And if you live on the United Kingdom’s mainland, you’ll also enjoy free shipping!

Fendi Spy bags continue to endure over the seasons, and are undoubtedly one of Fendi’s most covetable purses. It looks like Sharon Osbourne has cared for hers, as it doesn’t show any obvious signs of wear or tear. However its leather has that lovely weathering that only comes from a few years of use.

If you’ve fallen for Sharon Osbourne’s Fendi Spy bag you’ll need to get in quickly though, as there’s less than a week to get your bid in!

[Source: The Bag Lady]
[Image Source: Sellebrity website]

Fendi Spy Bags on eBay

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Matt & Nat Holly Hobo | Metal Decorated Khaki Vegan Leather Handbag

Posted on: Jul 10

Matt & Nat Holly HoboMatt & Nat continues to set the bar for vegan leather accessories with this fashion forward Holly hobo.

Matt & Nat have cleverly brought a little edge to the usually bohemian style with small studs and metal rings around the edge of the flap. The rings remind me a little of the ones that bind notebooks, but that’s not entirely a bad thing! That studious accent makes this hobo seem a bit more quirky.

The double flap looks modern, but it’s also quite clever. You can pick up one flap to access the rear compartment, or both to get into the main section. This design is perfect for separating valuables or easily scratched sunglasses from the rest of your cargo.

All too often synthetic materials look cheap, but Matt & Nat has really perfected vegan leather. That name seems like a bit of an oxymoron, but Matt & Nat’s material looks closer to leather than most man made alternatives. It’s got an authentic weathered look and just enough shine to impress.

But one of the Holly’s best green secrets is hidden inside. The mid-sized interior is lined with a unique sustainable material. It feels like suede, but it’s actually made from 16 recycled plastic bottles! The space is practical too, with a couple more pockets than Matt & Nat typically offers. That’s not bad in a bag that is also a bit smaller, and more manageable, than much of its range!

It’s not real leather, but its vegan alternative is of high enough quality to justify the Holly’s $240 price tag.

More Features of This Matt & Nat Ring Hobo

  • Magnetic closure
  • A rear zip pocket
  • A detachable shoulder strap with an 8.5 inch drop
  • Measures 11.5 x 14.5 x 3.5 inches
  • Made in China

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RetroActif Makes Banner Bags | Recycled Promotional PVC Totes

Posted on: Jul 9

Retroactif BagsRetroActif gives discarded PVC banners and other advertising a new lease on life with its fun and eco-friendly range of handbags.

RetroActif sources its banners and billboards from a range of private and public companies. This practice saves the promotional materials from rotting in landfill, and ensures each accessory is a true original. Even when made from the same kinds of banners no two are exactly alike, and there are a finite number of similar banners so the accessories are all limited editions.

The materials are also a clever choice for accessories, as they’re generally made to withstand the harsh effects of seasonal weather. No one keeps their bags outside for months at a time, but that’s exactly what banners are made for. That durability helps to make up for the less than luxurious finishes.

RetroActif offers an impressive range of upcycled accessories, from wallets and small pouches to large messenger bags, totes, backpacks, and duffels.

RetroActif is as socially conscious as it is green. The company regularly donates products and funds to Breast Impressions, a charity which raises funds for breast cancer support and treatment through sales of breast cast art, and Room to Read, an initiative which establishes schools and libraries in third-world communities.

RetroActif bags are available in selected stores in North America, Australia, Europe, and the United Kingdom. If there’s not one near you, you can also find some RetroActif purses at the Earth Lover website.

[Source: Retoactif website]

Recycled Banner Bags on eBay

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Marni Slouchy Leather Hobo | Quirky Feminine Shoulder Bag

Posted on: Jul 9

Marni Slouchy Leather HoboMarni has been a little off and on, lately. There just doesn’t seem to be much stylistic consistency. Unfortunately, this slouchy leather hobo is the perfect example of what I mean.

The brown leather material of the hobo is a little more medium boring than I’d like. It might have worked out okay, but it looks especially incongruous with the silver side studding and black grosgrain ribbon closure.

The overall shape of the hobo is nice, particularly in the way that the supple leather accentuates the slouchiness. But I really don’t like the totally open top. It’s not safe and it kind of disrupts the soft design of the bag. Also, the stiff handles are too structured to work with the rest of the design.

Plus, at $1,135, the bag is totally overpriced, and I just can’t get over it.

More Features Of The Marni Slouchy Leather Hobo

  • 18″ x 15″ x 6″ size
  • 7″ strap drop
  • Fully lined

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Emilio Pucci Embroidered Woven Cotton & Leather Bag | Expensive Rustic Boho Chic Bag

Posted on: Jul 9

Emilio Pucci Embroidered Woven Cotton And Leather Bag

Emilio Pucci is one of those iconic designers that I’ve always respected for sticking to his own guns, design wise. Unfortunately, this embroidered cotton bag represents a departure from Pucci’s usual style, and not in a way I particularly admire.

Actually, there’s nothing really wrong with the bag. The cotton is intricately woven. The color scheme is beautiful and low key and very natural. The embroidered designs give a classy, almost crest-like appearance to a very hippie styled bag.

The shape of the bag is also kind of great. The craftsmanship, though, is rustic, to say the least. The tassels that hang from the bottom corners are the perfect touch. So, you might be wondering, if the materials and design are so good, what could I find possibly disappointing about this bag?

Honestly, it all comes down to the price tag. It looks like it was purchased at a third world bazaar, but it costs $2,190. Seriously, Pucci, the bag is cool, but get real.

More Features Of The Emilio Pucci Embroidered Woven Cotton And Leather Bag

  • 13″ x 15″ x 1″ size
  • Adjustable shoulder strap
  • Interior zipper pocket
  • Fully lined

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J. Furmani Elegant Clutch | Affordable Pleated Ivory Satin Evening Purse

Posted on: Jul 9

J. Furmani Elegant ClutchRecently I’ve become disillusioned with bags that don’t live up to the promise of their names. There was Roxy’s Spicy hobo that had no heat, and Jessica Simpson’s Bliss tote that seemed far from blissful. So thank goodness this J. Furmani Elegant clutch is elegant!

I’ve seen many pleated clutch purses, but never one as clever as this. The folds criss-cross over one another to create a kind of subtle rosette. This flower-like arrangement is paired with a gorgeous rhinestone studded bar clasp. Fashion snobs might long for Swarovski crystals, but for an affordable $35 I don’t miss them one bit!

J. Furmani packs more value in with a selection of chains. Ordinarily I feel lucky to find one on a clutch purse, so the choice of shoulder strap and the shorter handle makes me feel positively pampered!

The Elegant is slim but longer than your average clutch, so with some careful packing you should be able to fit everything you want inside. The patch pocket is a bit useless, but we’ve come to expect these silly pouches in clutches.

I really wish I’d spotted this Elegant purse before I walked down the aisle. In ivory, it’d make the perfect clutch for budget-conscious brides. It’s also available in brown, taupe, and navy if you’re looking for a more versatile evening accessory. For this price, you might be tempted to indulge in a few colors!

More Features of This J. Furmani Pleated Clutch

  • Silver frame
  • Measures 1.5 x 9 x 5 inches

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Mariacarla Boscono Strips Down for Loewe | Italian Model Bares All for Fall/Winter 2011 Advertisement

Posted on: Jul 9

Loewe Fall Winter 2011 Ad

Mariacarla Boscono is the latest star to bare all for a fashion commercial. The stunning Italian model stripped down for Loewe’s fall/winter 2011 advertising campaign, posing with only Flamenco bags covering her bits.

Boscono was photographed at Madrid’s historic Ritz Hotel, a location that art director and stylist Katie Grand insisted upon. She said she felt it was “really important” that the Spanish brand feature an iconic Spanish location in the commercial. The beaches of the Southern coast were considered, but eventually the Ritz won out.

Once we’d decided on the Ritz we moved heaven and earth to make it happen,” she explained. “It was the perfect location, what with its glamorous history and its connection to Loewe.

That connection is a little tenuous, but apparently Loewe enthusiasts Ava Gardner and Ernest Hemmingway would drink there together in the 50s and 60s. The glamour of the tale certainly makes up for the shaky link between the hotel and fashion house!

I might be shocked by this campaign if I hadn’t felt like I’d seen it all before. Let’s remember that in the last 12 months we’ve seen Irina Shayk nude up for Xti, Annalynne McCord strip down for Marc Ecko, and perhaps most notably January Jones bare almost all for Versace. What was originally a daring advertising tactic today is only commonplace. Loewe’s dramatic lighting makes this advertisement a little more interesting than the average, but the concept feels tired, don’t you think?

[Source: Fashionista]

Loewe Bags on eBay

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Baggallini On the Go Bag | Practical Large Green Convertible Cross-Body Purse

Posted on: Jul 9

Baggallini On the Go BagBaggallini’s always made purses for girls on the go, but with this On the Go Bag the label’s made it official.

What this cross-body purse lacks in style, it makes up for in substance. It’s enormous, but with a pair of main compartments and several small pockets it doesn’t feel unmanageable. We even get credit card slots and a lipstick holder! The long cross-body strap also ensures we don’t feel weighed down, although some padding on the strap would have made it a bit more comfortable. If it is digging into your shoulder you can always detach it and use the belt loops to strap it into your pants.

The material is also one of those compromises we make in a cheap bag, although the nylon is smart. It’s lightweight and water resistant, and when stains appear you can just wipe them away with a damp cloth.

The On the Go’s not entirely devoid of personality either. Its rounded shape is quite cute, and with a whopping twelve colors available there’s bound to be one that speaks to you.

The Baggallini is made for travel, but I predict you’ll enjoy its perks so much that it’ll work its way into your regular wardrobe too. And even if it doesn’t, it’s hard to find fault with such a clever purse when it costs a mere $34.95!

More Features of This Baggallini Nylon Cross-Body Bag

  • Magnetic snap closure
  • A detachable adjustable 52 inch webbed strap
  • Measures 14 x 9 x 22 inches

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Kooba Caitlin Hobo | Gray Suede Bag with Bow

Posted on: Jul 8

Kooba Caitlin HoboKooba gives us wintery sophistication all wrapped up in a bow with this Caitlin hobo.

This hobo is a real departure from the slouchy bohemian accessory it originated from. The suede body is soft but thick, giving the Caitlin more structure than the average. This might lose it a few hippie points, but it makes it much easier to manage. It’s refreshing to find a hobo that doesn’t become a puddle of leather once you set it down. The rich gray color is also an unusual choice, but one I can get behind. It ensures that bow never feels too feminine, and it seems ready for the winter weather that will come all too soon.

Kooba’s choice of material isn’t the only thing that makes the Caitlin as practical as it is pretty. Its interior is generous but not extravagant, with enough space for everything you really need and a few luxuries as well. There are suede lined pockets in the walls, and a magnetic closure to keep your goodies just where you left them. I also love that long shoulder strap in more of that soft suede. I only hope it’s as comfortable to carry as it looks!

At $575 we could hardly call the Caitlin a bargain, but it also shouldn’t break the bank. Treat that suede well and you’ll enjoy this hobo for many seasons to come.

More Features of This Kooba Bow Decorated Hobo

  • Twill lined interior
  • A single shoulder strap with a 12 inch drop
  • Measures 11.5 x 14 x 5.5 inches
  • Made in China

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Christina Elaine’s Pregnancy Photo Blog | Handbag Designer’s Unusual Charity Fundraiser

Posted on: Jul 8

Handbag designer Christina Elaine is documenting her pregnancy for a good cause through a project she calls 1 Pregnancy, 140 Outfits, 1 Hope.

Elaine will be photographed every day of the final phase of her pregnancy, the time when many women are worrying about swollen ankles and all that extra baby weight. She hopes that by exposing herself in these photographs, she’ll help other pregnant women feel more confident in their skin.

There’s also a more altruistic side to the 1 Pregnancy, 140 Outfits, 1 Hope initiative though. Through her blog, Elaine is raising funds for the Hope Village in Cairo. This shelter helps abused and homeless women and children living in the Egyptian capital. Here the children get an education, and the women find a safe place to stay. Elaine has visited Cairo three times and seen the shelter’s good work first hand, so it’s a cause very close to her heart.

At the time of writing she was well on her way, raising $565 of her $2000 goal. Hopefully in the remaining two months Elaine will exceed that target. You can help her and the shelter by making a donation through the project’s partner website, Indie GoGo. If you donate $100 you’ll receive a complimentary mug, and if you can spare $1000 Christina Elaine will name a handbag in your honor!

[Source: Technorati]