The three shopper bags Vivienne Westwood released through her Ethical Fashion Africa Project in January sold out quickly, so I’m thrilled to see she’s expanding the line. The new purses are also created in conjunction with the International Trade Center, made in Nairobi, and crafted entirely from recycled materials.

This time around there really is something for everybody. The collection now features weekender bags, clutches, printed laptop and iPod cases, and even shoppers designed especially for the lads.

As with the original collection, the creation of these bags pushed Westwood and her creative team to the limit. All bags are made using recycled, end of the line materials from Kenya, so the pickings were a little slim. The team wanted to buy as little as possible, instead relying heavily on found items like tent cottons, plastic bags, and electrical wiring. Westwood’s design team also continued to work with African artisans on the project, helping them develop new skills which they can use in further employment opportunities.

The new Vivienne Westwood Ethical Fashion Africa Project bags will be available soon exclusively through the green shopping e-tailer yoox.com. Given how quickly the original batch sold out, I wouldn’t wait too long if you want to get your hands on the new breed!

[Source: Vogue]

Vivienne Westwood Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Vivienne Westwood, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Prezzo has given the humble fanny pack a luxurious makeover with this unusual metal mesh waist bag.

This Prezzo purse is one for the sophisticated traveler, or the girl who’s trying to be. Because honestly, I’m not sure a fanny pack can ever be dressed up, even in metal mesh! But it is a fun twist on the travel staple, and one that’s much more compelling that those tired fabric versions.

The combination of white, gold, and silver diagonal stripes gives this purse a playful, retro feel, although I’m not so fond of the striped black version. The white one feels a bit tame, but classic beauties may warm to its more traditional finish.

This fanny pack is just as practical as the cheaper material ones. Its waist strap is fully adjustable, and there’s a zippered pocket in the back to complement the relatively roomy interior.

Fanny packs have always been a secure way to carry coins and other small valuables, but they’ve never been very fashionable. I’m not sure whether Prezzo’s managed to change the style’s reputation here, but it’s certainly improved it!

More Features of This Prezzo Metallic Fanny Pack

• Dual zip top entry
• Fabric lining
• Measures 3.75 x 8 x 3 inches

Get this Prezzo Metal Mesh Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Prezzo Metal Mesh Waist bag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Prezzo bags on BagBunch
• The Prezzo Metal Mesh Snap bag, a great alternative to this metal mesh bag.
• Searching for more Prezzo bags on eBay

It seems Prada’s designers were having an identity crisis when they created this doctor bag, as it doesn’t seem like it knows exactly what it wants to be.

Clear PVC is one of those el cheapo materials that should only be reserved for very specific accessories. It works for beach bags and the trim of a casual handbag, but it shouldn’t come anywhere close to a designer purse. As if trying to make amends for this bargain basement plastic, Prada has thrown a pile of crystals on the top. The result is very one confused bag which seems determined to be both daytime appropriate and evening ready, but fails to be either.

I suppose this handbag isn’t devoid of redeeming features. The linen piping makes this doctor bag very strong, as do the somewhat unsightly corner patches. And we have protective feet at the base. Why you’d want to protect plastic from scuffs I don’t know, but it’s the attention to detail, right?

You know, try as I might I can’t think of nearly enough advantages to this purse to justify its insane $2,695 price tag. That’s a whole lot of money for a whole lot of tacky.

More Features of This Prada Plastic Doctor’s Bag

• Kiss-lock closure
• Clip removable zip close pouch
• Dual 15 inch handles with a 6 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 9 x 6 inches

Get this Prada PVC Crystal Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Prada bags on BagBunch
• The Tod’s Gummy G-Bag tote bag, a great alternative to this PVC bag.
• Searching for more Prada bags on eBay
• Other Prada PVC bags on eBay:

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Badgley Mischka designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka have just added handbags to their affordable Mark & James collection.

The inexpensive purses have been a long time coming. Mark & James launched its apparel range in 2009, and it didn’t take long before footwear joined the clothes.

Now that the handbags have arrived I’m hoping they are worth the wait. The modern designs are certainly ambitious, with patterned faux fur, trimmed shearling, and Peruvian knits helping them turn heads. The faux fur handbag pictured reminds me of the love child of a Mulberry purse and a Muppet. What do you think?

As you might tell by that comment, after seeing a couple of images I’m not convinced. This seems to be a very trend focused line, which has its advantages and disadvantages. While it’s appealing to indulge in the latest looks for less, many folks drawn to a diffusion line can’t afford to change their handbags with every season. I really hope there are some more timeless looks to cater for those girls on a budget.

The Mark & James handbags start at $150 and top $450. I suppose we can call that affordable by modern fashion standards, but not for bags with a very limited shelf life.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Badgley Mischka Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Badgley Mischka, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

While the mercury continues to soar, the fashion world is already looking ahead to cooler weather. If you want to get a jump on your peers a cute purse like this Wool Lady Satchel from Pink Studio could set you up for fall.

This really is a classic cold weather accessory, with its upper crust feminine design and mellow gray felted body. The brown leatherette cross-detail, handles, and trim dresses this satchel up without inflating the price too much. Some may long for the luxury of leather, but for the most part I don’t think we’re missing out too much. The lesser quality really shows on the handles, but we do get what we’ve paid for.

This satchel is large enough for carrying everyday essentials and a few luxuries besides, and its felted body shouldn’t mind the strain. The interior is fully lined for some extra strength, and there’s a zippered pocket and organizer compartments to keep your items in order. The handles are the only functional failing as far as I’m concerned. They’re just a shade too short for comfortable over-the-shoulder carrying. A few extra inches, or even an additional cross-body strap, would have made all the difference.

I always feel like I’m getting a bargain when an everyday purse comes in under $100, so at $98 this one feels like a good deal, even if it will spend the warmer months in the closet.

More Features of This Pink Studio Felted Satchel

• Zip top closure
• Brushed metal hardware
• A platform base
• Measures 16.1 x 6 x 10.5 inches

Get this Pink Studio Wool Lady Handbag:

• Available to buy at Urban Outfitters
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Pink Studio bags on BagBunch
• The Kate Spade Beantown tote bag, a great alternative to this felted bag.
• Searching for more Pink Studio bags on eBay
• Other wool satchel bags on eBay:

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Worn Again has turned the old uniforms of Eurostar train managers into carry bags for the transport company’s senior staffers. The innovative recycling program has saved the discarded uniforms from landfill, and provided accessories for 250 employees.

Each unisex bag is made from pieces of old Eurostar jackets, raincoats, and train cushions. Worn Again’s artist and designer Benjamin Shine worked closely with the staff members on the handbags to ensure they’re functional as well as green.

Shine is confident that his firm can help more British companies adopt similar sustainable upcycling program. Worn Again plans to build a high-tech remanufacturing plant, which is capable of turning 10, 000 tones of corporate wear into new items, to achieve this goal.

Once these Eurostar bags wear out they’ll be collected and reprocessed, but the system does have its limitations. These materials have not been designed for continuous reuse, so there’ll come a point when they have to be discarded. However Worn Again and Eurostar are doing their best to bridge the gap with more thought into new manufacturing techniques and initial materials. In the meantime, just think about how long the fabrics have been kept out of landfill!

Worn Again’s current model and its plans for expanding it are admirable, and it’s exciting to see big companies like Eurostar jumping on board.

[Source: Treehugger]

Recycled Fabric Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Recycled fabric, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Pilar Abril serves up plenty of attitude with this Stacey Tote.

There’s an awful lot going on here. Honestly I think it’s too much. Its faux fur body is already eye-catching, and the chunky synthetic trim and handles add another dimension. Then Pilar Abril adds a thick decorative chain, a braided accent, and smattering of studs for good measure. Some may argue that by using basic black Pilar Abril gets away with all of these elements, but I’m not so sure. This purse has the potential to look really tacky if it’s not paired with the right outfit.

If you like your bags big and bold though, you won’t be disappointed here. Pilar Abril has given us plenty of space for storage and a good selection of synthetic trimmed pockets. Such a sizable bag could get awkward to carry, but with Pilar Abril offering an attachable cross-body strap as well the process should be as comfortable as it can be.

At $142 this tote bag also has price on its side. It’s not to my tastes, but I can see a leather clad biker babe rocking the look.

More Features of This Pilar Abril Faux Fur Tote

• Zip top closure
• Logo print lining
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• An attachable, adjustable strap with a drop of 11.5 to 22 inches
• Measures 13.5 x 13 x 6 inches
• Made in China

Get this Pilar Abril Stacey Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Pilar Abril Stacey tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check The Liquid Turtle eBay store to see if this Pilar Abril bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Pilar Abril bags on BagBunch
• The Pilar Abril Stacey satchel bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more Pilar Abril bags on eBay

Alexander Wang’s signature take on minimalism is turning heads in every town across the globe. He doesn’t put out a ton of bags each season, but the ones he does release become coveted classics almost immediately. This Adele clutch is one of my favorites to date.

Wang’s Adele line of clutches have a masterfully tailored look. I’m not exactly sure why they’re called “trunk” clutches, except that they have reinforced corners similar to a trunk, but I love the look. The buckle detail on the top adds to the clean, classy appearance.

The soft gray suede is very of-the moment. The softness of the material contrasts with the highly structured look of the bag. The effect is very yin-yang, masculine-feminine, very balanced however you look at it.

And while $580 is a significant investment for a lot of us, it’s so reasonable in the designer range. Not to mention the fact that because Wang produces so few accessories, the Adele is sure to be a collector’s item one day.

More Features Of The Alexander Wang Adele Leather Fold-Over Trunk Clutch

• 6″ x 9″ x 6″ size
• Concealed magnetic fastenings
• Fully lined in black canvas

Get this Alexander Wang Adele Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Alexander Wang bags on eBay
• The Alexander Wang Coco Duffel Bag, a larger alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Alexander Wang handbags on eBay
• Other gray clutches on eBay:
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When not getting obsessed with patchwork and branding, Coach can actually produce some understated handbags!

The Carly is one such example, where the designers have finally produced something other than the original patchwork version. The thing is, simple works, and it is nice that the label has decided to let classic black and white do the talking.

And talk it does. The solid white body, whilst a pain for anyone who doesn’t live in a dust and grime free world, gives a hint of modern cleanliness, whilst the designer aspect is enhanced with the contrasting black that edges the shape. The end effect is smart, clean and consequently sleek, and I think it really works. Even more impressively, the hardware manages to stop this looking a bit too “Twiggy” and 1960s.

Whilst hundreds of dollars is never cheap for a tote, I think it is fair to conclude that the Carly purse does its best to look like it is worth the price, as well as being quite eye-catching for anyone who happens to be glance in your oh-so-stylish direction.

More features of this Coach B&W Tote

• Zip top closure
• Interior slip pockets for phones and wallets
• Hardware heavy central handle
• Pebbled leather exterior

Get this Sleek Carly Hobo:

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

[phpbay]coach carly leather, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Coach bags on BagBunch
• The Coach Carly Patchwork version, a great alternative to this shoulder bag.
• Searching for more black and white bags on eBay

Phillip Lim reminds us of how impressive exotic embossing can look with his Berry wristlet.

We’ve all seem some bad embossing in recent seasons. All too often it seems designers are just going through the motions, adding a scaly texture without authenticity. It’s almost as if they’ve given up, assuming that there’s no way they could create something as breathtaking as the real thing. Phillip Lim proves them wrong with this gorgeous subtle snake-embossed lambskin. You’ve got to look closely to see the texture, but it does an impressive imitation.

If it weren’t for the rich looking snake treatment I probably would have passed the Berry by. It’s frankly quite boring, with its ultra simplistic style. That allows the embossing to shine, but the purse also has the potential to be overlooked. That makes it quite versatile, but it probably won’t turn any heads.

I have such low expectations when I look inside small purses, so this one’s pleasantly surprised me. Phillip Lim’s crammed everything he could into the Berry, including a trio of card slots, a compartment for paper money, and a snap pocket for coins.

At $285 Phillip Lim doesn’t give us a lot of purse for our dollar, but he does give us practicality and timeless style.

More Features of This Phillip Lim Snake-Embossed Wristlet

• A double zip-around closure
• Leather lined interior
• A removable bow on the wrist strap
• Measures 5 x 3.5 x 2 inches

Get this Phillim Lim Berry Handbag:

• Available to buy at Barneys New York
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Phillip Lim bags on BagBunch
• The Lodis Carnival Cafe bag, a great alternative to this exotic embossed bag.
• Searching for more Phillip Lim bags on eBay
• Other embossed leather wristlets on eBay:

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