Holstee has teamed up with Conserve India for a colorful new take on its popular wallet. While the original wallets were made from newspaper, the new Delhi Rang purses are crafted from colored plastic shopping bags.

Conserve India has a long history of reducing India’s waste and helping the country’s poor by turning plastic bags into fashionable items. Holstee is supporting the cause by providing fair wages, education, and health care to India’s “rag pickers” and their families. These poor people collect the plastic bags from the streets, clean them, and sort them, before stitching them together to make the wallets.

The wallets are named for the Indian city where the plastic bags are sourced, while “rang” is the Hindi word for color. Personally I think those rainbow hues are a real improvement over the more muted color scheme we saw on the newspaper originals. What do you think?

Their minimalist style won’t suit serious shopaholics, but I think they’re cute enough, and affordable enough, to forgive their practical limitations.

The Delhi Rang purses are available for $25 on the Holstee website. Ten percent of that price will benefit Kiva, a group which helps to financially support entrepreneurs working in the developing world.

[Source: Treehugger]

Recycled Plastic Wallets on eBay

[phpbay]recycled plastic wallet, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Travelon offers a practical way to carry your most important items with this Slim-Line Essentials Bag from the Dolphin Collection.

The Slim-Line Essentials will never inspire bag envy, but it’s not meant to. Its nylon body is serviceable and built to last, while its plethora of pockets makes staying organized a breeze. The zip down organizer has four credit card slots, and there are plenty of open and secure pockets inside and out.

It is on the small side though, and as the name suggests it’s also slender, so you shouldn’t expect it to hold the kitchen sink. As its moniker implies this bag is for essentials only. However, there’s nothing stopping you stashing this inside a larger bag if it doesn’t offer you enough space!

The cute dolphin image is the fin-shaped name plate reminds us just where this purse has come from. But the Dolphin Collection is about more than whimsical pictures of beloved marine creatures. For every bag sold, Travelon donates a percentage of its profits to Island Dolphin Care. This non-profit group helps children with special physical emotional needs enjoy all that life has to offer.

This Slim-Line bag isn’t the flashiest around, but $39.99 is an affordable price for the good vibes that come with it!

More Features of This Travelon Dolphin Collection Cross-Body Bag

• A single adjustable strap
• Measures 11 x 7 x 3 inches

Get this Travelon Slim-Line Essentials Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Travelon Dolphin Slim-Line Essentials, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the TwinsFund36 eBay store to see if this Travelon bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Travelon bags on BagBunch
• The Travelon Dolphin Collection messenger bag, a great alternative to this cross-body bag.
• Searching for more Travelon bags on eBay

When I heard that the young star of True Grit, Hailee Steinfeld, would front Miu Miu’s next advertising campaign I was cautiously excited. I’ve always admired the 14-year-old’s down-to-earth nature and fashion flair, but I wondered whether she might be a bit young to front a very grown up apparel and accessories line. However as we get our first look at the commercials it seems my fears were unfounded.

Bruce Weber captured the promising young actress posing in rural Miami. Most Miu Miu ads are glossy and staged, so it’s refreshing to see the label taking a more natural, rustic approach. That extends to the treatment of Steinfeld, who appears fresh faced with only minimal make-up and Photoshop work, if indeed there’s any.

And above all, unlike so many campaigns we see using teenage models, Steinfeld actually looks her age. How wonderful to see a 14-year-old girl looking like a 14-year-old rather than a miniature adult! It also might be just the thing Miu Miu needs to appeal to the next generation of fashionistas.

Based on the first image, it seems like the marriage of Miu Miu and Hailee Steinfeld might just be a perfect match. I can’t wait to see more photos once the campaign hits the fashion magazines!

[Source: Fashionista]

Miu Miu Bags on ebay

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

Tory Burch gets rustic with this Rattan Flap Clutch.

Rattan is less luxurious than the materials Burch usually plays with, but it’s perfect for this warm weather we’ve all been enjoying. The geometric wicker weave makes this rattan feel a bit more sophisticated than it normally does, but there’s no escaping that this is a casual material. I think that works well for this time of year though, as we’re more likely to be enjoying pool parties and beach barbeques than the posh dos of December.

The leather flap with its Tory Burch logo stamps its designer pedigree, and gives the clutch some individual personality. I think this cheery Sake Gold shade is perfect for the season, but we can also choose it in black, gold, silver, and poppy red.

I’m not ordinarily a fan of logos, but for every rule there’s always an exception. As Burch’s branding is so abstract, I think she gets away with it. It acts as an aesthetic element as much as it does advertising, and elevates what might have otherwise been a relatively dull design.

This rattan clutch is large but basic, with only a small and insignificant slip pocket inside. Pouches like this are really token gestures, as they’re to small to hold anything of substance, but we’ve never expected practicality from a clutch purse. While I’m griping, the lack of shoulder strap is also disappointing. No one wants to spend an evening holding onto a handbag, no matter how pretty it is.

At $275 this clutch costs more than I’d expect to pay for a rattan purse, but its seasonal charm might just sway anyone with the cash to spare.

More Features of This Tory Burch Woven Clutch

• Magnetic snap closure
• Measures 10.5 x 4 x 2.5 inches

Get this Tory Burch Rattan Handbag:

• Available to buy at Nordstrom
• Check the Wilson51977 eBay store to see if this Tory Burch bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tory Burch bags on BagBunch
• The MICHAEL by Michael Kors rattan and leather clutch bag, a great alternative to this rattan bag.
• Searching for more Tory Burch bags on eBay
• Other Tory Burch rattan clutch bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Tory Burch rattan clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

They say that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and few designers believe this adage more strongly than Gwen Cornish. Her label Bywa takes the items others have discarded and turns them into lust-worthy handbags.

The company came about when several years ago, Cornish heard that 99% of things purchased in modern times would end up in landfill within six months. The statistic horrified the designer, who set about doing something about changing it.

It wasn’t easy. The thirty-something had never sat behind a sewing machine, and her only instruction came from a 1942 drafting textbook she found online. But Bywa came to be, taking its name from the Celtic word meaning “to live.” It’s a fitting term, as Bywa teaches us to live in a different way, one that marries beauty and sustainability.

Nothing is off limits for Bywa. There are the leather remnants, fabric offcuts, and old buttons we see so many labels utilizing, but Bywa doesn’t stop there. It also sees the creative potential in old Christmas lights, plastic grocery bags, and laminate underlay.

Bywa bags are both elegant and eco-friendly, and with styles starting from $90 they’re affordable too. Find them at selected Canadian retailers and online at Cargoh.

[Source: Handbago]

Recycled Leather Bags on eBay

[phpbay]recycled leather, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

A bright pop of saturated color makes Tommy Hilfiger’s Dip Dye tote something special.

It’s easy to see where this tote got its name. It almost looks like Tommy Hilfiger has taken the handles of each tote and dipped it into a vat of brightly colored paint. The contrast of the subdued natural canvas and the bright colored coating is striking, and perfect for summer. The girly girl in me can’t resist this pink cactus flower tote, but there are several other tones to suit anyone who steers away from such saccharine shades.

For $98 I was pleasantly surprised by the little extras Tommy Hilfiger offers. Protective metal feet help to prevent the coated canvas base from scratching, and the interior pockets are lined for durability. There’s even a matching wristlet for those times we want to travel light.

For me the only disappointments are those skinny Minnie straps. They’re long enough for easy carrying, but as they’re narrow they’ll dig in your shoulder when the tote is full.

For this price though I think we can forgive Tommy Hilfiger this little misstep. Considering we’re really getting two bags in one, $98 is very affordable for this Dip Dye Tote.

More Features of This Tommy Hilfiger Coated Canvas Tote

• Magnetic closure
• Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 15.5 x 6 inches
• Made in China

Get this Tommy Hilfiger Dip Dye Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Tommy Hilfiger bags on BagBunch
• The Tommy Hilfiger Dip Dye train case, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more Tommy Hilfiger bags on eBay
• Other coated canvas tote bags on eBay:

[phpbay]coated canvas tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Tod’s plays it safe with this very traditional Toujours Shopping Tote.

When I imagine a tote in my mind, it looks exactly like the Toujours. Its traditional shape, its minimalist design, and its clean lines are all trademarks of the style. The rich blue color is a bit unexpected I suppose. It’s almost black, so it’s easily incorporated into any wardrobe, but it’s more interesting than that more traditional neutral.

This spacious tote has a zippered pocket in one side, and a pair of open gadget pouches in the other. These features do their part to keep us organized, but I’m still not entirely satisfied. The problem is the clasp, a simple snap. The top is really too wide for this kind of closure, so I worry about items falling out of either side.

The handles are also a bit thin for a bag of this size. Since they’re leather I’m sure they won’t break, but they will drag at your shoulder when the Toujours is filled.

$1000 isn’t unreasonable for a Tod’s bag, but I think it’s a bit pricy for a purse that’s so pedestrian. We’ve seen this kind of design so many times, and often for less. Those alternatives might not come with the designer pedigree attached, but they’re every bit as smart.

More Features of This Tod’s Leather Tote

• Snap top closure
• Nylon lined interior
• Dual handles with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 18 x 12.5 x 6 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Tod’s Toujours Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Tod’s bags on BagBunch
• The Kate Spade Chrystie Street holdall bag, a great alternative to this classic bag.
• Searching for more Tod’s bags on eBay
• Other Tod’s tote bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Tods tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Handbag designer Cynthia Rowley has teamed up with Birchbox, a subscription based service that offers its customers samples of high-end beauty products.

Anyone who signs up to the service before June 30 will receive the beautiful limited edition box pictured. Its trippy design reminds me a bit of an oil slick with its rainbow of colors. It’ll be filled with a selection of products selected by Rowley herself, including what she calls a “life-changing” eyebrow pencil. I’ve never come across a piece of cosmetics I’ve felt that strongly about, so I’m intrigued!

And once those cosmetic samples are gone, the limited edition box will make a great jewelry case. Even if we’re filled with cosmetics I’d be tempted to spend the $10 monthly fee Birchbox charges.

Customers with a bit more money to spend can enjoy a more luxurious box called Top to Toe Treats. The more expensive $38 box features some more up market, larger products including Dead Sea bath salts and Cynthia Rowley nail stickers. It’ll be available from Birchbox from July 11 and Cynthia Rowley’s Montauk store from tomorrow, June 25.

We’ve seen a lot of designer collaborations here on BagBunch, but this has to be one of the more unusual. What do you think of Cynthia Rowley’s Birchbox boxes?

[Source: Fashionista]

Cynthia Rowley Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Cynthia Rowley, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]