There are so many eco-friendly handbag designers around that it seems they’re no longer the exceptions to the rule. But few are as environmentally conscious as Fibre Arts Design, a Californian label which has recently become a certified green company through the Green Business Bureau.

Fibre Arts Design uses recycled and organic materials to create its handbags, but its eco design ethos goes further than that. It uses environmentally friendly products in its office, including compact fluorescent lights, recycled paper, and green cleaners. It also purchases alternative wind and solar power to reduce its carbon footprint. And it recycles and composts its scrap materials where possible.

Fibre Arts Design also tries to make it easy for its employees to live greener lives. They’re rewarded for carpooling, cycling, or skateboarding to work, and compensated for catching public transport. Eco-friendly dry-cleaning services even offer to pick up the workers’ clothes from the office.

Fibre Arts Design’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices reminds us that designers need to do more than just make an organic cotton tote to be really green. I’d love to see more transparency when it comes to business practices so we could really make eco-friendly accessory choices, wouldn’t you?

[Source: PRLog]

Fibre Arts Design Bags on eBay

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Dooney & Bourke shows it’s more than just a youth label with this very grown-up Nylon Editor’s Tote.

After seeing so many of the label’s handbags covered in cutesy colored logos, this more minimalist design is like a breath of fresh air. The blue nylon body is bold and stylish, the ideal complement to the tote’s tan leather handles and trim. I love the way the leather dresses this bag up, making it feel more board room appropriate.

I suppose Dooney & Bourke thinks editors should travel light, as you’ll struggle to fit a laptop inside this tote. It’s not small, but the zippered pocket running down the center of the bag does compromise storage space. Personally I feel this tote is too narrow for such a feature; it makes the tote a bit easier to organize but it also means we can’t carry anything too bulky. This is really a tote made for carrying important documents and magazines rather than chunky wallets and novels. The slender strap is also a concern, as I imagine it’ll cut into your shoulder when the tote is full.

These niggles aside though, this tote is reasonably priced at $175. That’s still probably prohibitive for interns, but it’s certainly not exorbitant for anyone on an editor’s salary!

More Features of This Dooney & Bourke Nylon Tote

• Lined interior
• Front buckle closure
• Dual rolled handles with a 4.5 inch drop
• A detachable dog-hook strap with a 13.5 inch drop
• Measures 13.5 x 4.5 x 14 inches

Get this Dooney & Bourke Editor’s Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Dooney Bourke Editors Tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Ca Fait Chic eBay store to see if this Dooney & Bourke bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Dooney & Bourke bags on BagBunch
• The Dooney & Bourke Venus tote bag, a great alternative to this Editor’s bag.
• Searching for more Dooney & Bourke bags on eBay

I don’t want to scare you, but Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Whenever we have a late Easter it seems this Hallmark holiday sneaks up on us, but don’t stress. You needn’t resort to pot potpourri, unwanted electrical appliances, or another boring book. eBay has come to the rescue with its latest Fashion Vault sale.

The Fashion Vault contains all the designer accessories your mom could want for Mother’s Day. How about wristlets from Kenneth Cole Reaction, or handbags from BCBG Max Azria and BCBGeneration? They’d look lovely paired with jewelry from Carolee or Hannah Naomi, a Valentino watch, and a soft pashmina wrap!

As always, your money will go much further in the Fashion Vault. eBay’s discounted these items up by to 75%, and there are no additional charges for shipping and handling. With prices like that, perhaps you could even indulge in something extra for yourself!

But you’ll need to be quick. The sale runs until 9 pm Pacific Time on Friday April 29, but the best bargains are sure to sell out before then. I don’t know about you, but heading over to the eBay Mother’s Day sale sounds a lot better than braving the mall!

[Source: eBay Fashion Vault]

BCBG Max Azria Handbags on eBay

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Donna Sharp creates a fun bag for girls on the go with the Pauline.

There are little surprises here for Donna Sharp devotees. The finish, with its mix of plain, paisley, plaid, and polka-dotted patches, is classic Donna Sharp. All those different patterns could overwhelm, but by sticking with browns and earthy pinks the designer’s managed to make it work. The swatches are overlaid with an unusual squiggly quilting, which makes a nice change from the standard diamond stitching!

When I first spotted the Pauline I thought it might be a diaper bag. That messenger style, coupled with the soft body, seems made for carrying bottles and other baby essentials. It doesn’t have those little extras like gusseted pockets and change pads that we see in bags made for this purpose, but there’s all the space new moms could ask for.

That space lends itself to many other purposes too. I can imagine it becoming a great school bag for college kids, or an overnighter for short getaways. Whatever you use it for, I’m sure you’ll get your $55 worth!

More Features of This Donna Sharp Patchwork Messenger Bag

• Magnetic snap closure
• Polyester lined interior
• An interior zip divider pocket
• An adjustable strap with a 14 to 28 inch drop
• Measures 5.5 x 11.2 x 8 inches

Get this Donna Sharp Pauline Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Donna Sharp Pauline, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Donna Sharp bags on BagBunch
• The Donna Sharp Pauline bag in Grape Patch, a great alternative to this pink bag.
• Searching for more Donna Sharp bags on eBay

Donald J Pliner lets the natural beauty of nubuck shine through with this minimalist Aali hobo.

Donald J Pliner seems enamored with this leather, and I can’t say that I blame him. It’s got that soft, smooth texture of suede but it doesn’t wear as easily. Materials that are as good looking as they are practical are few and far between, so I’m thrilled to see Donald J Pliner incorporate it into so many of his designs.

He allows the material to speak for itself, by refusing to overcomplicate it with frills and frippery. The Aali has only a bit of complementary stitching and two angled pockets to break up the luxury skin.

The interior is well designed with plenty of pockets in one side wall. I prefer this to the traditional approach of spreading the compartments around the bag, as we know exactly where we left our vital items. The pale nylon lining makes me pause, as it’s bound to show stains in time, but at least those marks will be tucked away from prying eyes.

The beige and saddle brown bags are a bit tame for my tastes, but this warm poppy red Aali is just the ticket.

More Features of This Donald J Pliner Nubuck Hobo

• Zip top closure
• Nylon lined interior
• A single strap with an 11 inch drop
• Measures 12.5 x 16 x 8 inches
• Made in China

Get this Donald J Pliner Aali Handbag:

• Available to buy at Endless (limited stock)
• Check The Review Shoppe eBay store to see if this Donald J Pliner bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Donald J Pliner bags on BagBunch
• The Donald J Pliner Abina bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Donald J Pliner bags on eBay
• Other Donald J Pliner Aali bags on eBay:

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Accessories don’t come much tougher than these wallets from Ragged Edge. They’re handmade in Virginia from carbon fiber sailcloth, an industrial grade fabric that’s virtually indestructible.

The nylon material has a fibrous bond woven through that’s stronger than steel. That’s a real blessing for anyone who’s hard on their accessories.

While its tough as nails exterior is impressive, Ragged Edge may disappoint shopaholics with what’s inside. This is a wallet that’s probably made for minimalist men rather than girls with a swag of credit and store loyalty cards. There are just four organizational pockets, including a clear sleeve for an ID or photo. That’s not exactly skimping, but it’s also a bit disappointing.

I’m much more excited about how easy this wallet is to keep clean. You can simply pop it in the top rack of your dishwasher and let the machine do the work for you! Just try doing that with your favorite Gucci purse girls!

These carbon fiber sailcloth wallets are available in black and blue and black and green color schemes for $45 from the Uncommon Goods website. That’s a bit pricy for a wallet that won’t hold everything most girls need, but when you consider its durability that might be a compromise worth making.

[Source: Uncommon Goods]

Carbon Fiber Wallets on eBay

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Dolce & Gabbana reinvents your grandma’s old satchel with this modern Miss Rose handbag.

The classic satchel shape and ornate medallions take their cues from vintage fashion, but the use of modern black lace and complementary leather gives the Miss Rose an appealing edge. I can’t help thinking of retro Madonna when I see black lace like this. It’s been a few decades since the Queen of Pop pulled on her fingerless gloves, but the contrast of black lace is every bit as shocking today as it was back then. This edgy lace works so well with that dangerous black leather. This is one satchel that’s a little bit naughty and a little bit nice.

The short handle suits the Miss Rose’s vintage look, but it’s not entirely practical. This is a large satchel, so it’ll become awkward to carry if you’re utilizing all that space. Thankfully Dolce & Gabbana has thought of that and provided a longer shoulder strap. This strap is wide and made of soft leather, so it’ll feel comfortable to carry even when the Miss Rose is loaded up.

I never expect to find Dolce & Gabbana bags at bargain basement prices, so I’m not entirely surprised that the Miss Rose costs a whopping $2275. This is definitely one for the wish list.

More Features of This Dolce & Gabbana Lace Satchel

• Zippered flap closure with a magnetic snap
• Metal feet on the base
• A single handle with a 5 inch drop
• A shoulder strap with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 14.25 x 11.25 x 6.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Dolce & Gabbana Miss Rose Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Dolce & Gabbana bags on BagBunch
• The Imoshion Diana satchel bag, a great alternative to this lace bag.
• Searching for more Dolce & Gabbana bags on eBay
• Other lace satchel bags on eBay:

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Reports are flooding in that Olivier Rousteing will fill Christophe Decarnin’s shoes at Balmain.

Balmain severed ties with its creative director after he failed to appear at the company’s fall show in Paris. Rumors suggested that Decarnin was suffering from depression at the time.

A source at British Elle said Balmain would likely search for new blood, and that’s just what they’ve got with Rousteing. While he’s worked at Balmain for the last three years he’s largely unknown amongst fashion circles. However, he was one of Decarnin’s key deputies, so he’d surely have picked up a thing or two about the design process.

Before his tenure at Balmain, Rousteing spent almost six years at Roberto Cavalli’s headquarters in Milan. Sources say that he’s a “young and promising creative dynamo,” but I guess we’ll have to wait for his first collection to hit runways to decide for ourselves.

It might seem a risky decision to promote internally, but Balmain’s in good company here. Hannah MacGibbon thrived when she stepped up at Chloe, as did Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli at Valentino.

What do you think of Balmain’s choice here? Would you rather see an established designer taking the reins of the French fashion house, or are you excited by the prospect of someone new?

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Payal Jaggi/Flickr]

Balmain Bags on eBay

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

DKNY reminds us of the devastating effect of a few well placed pleats with this Burnished crossbody bag.

Those pleats are really what set this bag apart. They add volume and texture, while emphasizing the quality of that deep gray leather. I’m a real fan of that shade. It’s almost black, so we can easily incorporate it into our wardrobe without being completely predictable.

I’m not as enthusiastic about the flower which hangs from the top of the purse. The rosette is a bit fussy for my tastes. It also gets lost in all the ruching, especially in the complementary gray color. Personally that’s a blessing, but if you were a fan of the flower you’d likely be disappointed that it blends in. Either way, it doesn’t really add anything as it should. Thankfully we can easily remove it!

This Burnished Crossbody is quite spacious, although not so big that it’ll overwhelm you. The collection of pockets takes care of that. There’s a zippered pocket in the back, and a couple of open ones in the front for handling personal technology. The adjustable strap is another great perk. You can wear it short as a shoulder bag when you’re dressing up, or extend it for a more casual, across the body look.

That versatility combines with the quality of this stylish purse to justify its $265 price tag.

More Features of This DKNY Flower Crossbody Bag

• A top zip closure
• A single crossbody strap with a maximum 22 inch drop
• Measures 13.25 x 2.5 x 12 inches

Get this DKNY Burnished Leather Handbag:

• Available to buy at Zappos
• Check the TD Luxury Fashions eBay store to see if this DKNY bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More DKNY bags on BagBunch
• The Diane von Furstenberg Maribelle bag, a great alternative to this pleated bag.
• Searching for more DKNY bags on eBay
• Other pleated crossbody bags on eBay:

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I haven’t always been a fan of Diesel’s trend conscious accessory designs, but I think the label’s got it right with the She’s Got the Lock Bright Featury shoulder bag.

Silly and ridiculously long name aside, there’s a lot to like about this shoulder bag. The over-sized turn-lock closure is a really striking accent, which is practical to boot. Synthetic leathers have a tendency to look cheap, but the denim-like finish on this one saves it. I also love the choice of colors. This blueish shade called Porcelain Green is perfect for spring, but the coral hue called Warm Red is also really fun. The black color is a bit boring, but traditionalists will be happy for its inclusion in the range.

The She’s Got the Lock Bright Featury shoulder bag isn’t just good looking; it’s also packed with features. It’s sizeable, but its collection of pockets should be enough to keep it organized. The handles are a little short for comfort, so Diesel also offers a longer shoulder strap. That’ll really come in handy once the She’s Got the Lock Bright Featury shoulder bag is loaded up.

While I admire this Diesel bag its price is a turn off. For $170 you can find many bags made from real leather; it’s just too much to pay for a synthetic purse.

More Features of This Diesel Bright Featury Shoulder Bag

• Fabric lined interior
• Measures 4 x 17 x 10 inches

Get this Diesel She’s Got the Lock Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock in some colors)
• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Diesel bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Diesel bags on BagBunch
• The Diesel She’s Got the Lock Bright Characterey bag, a great alternative to this turn-lock bag.
• Searching for more Diesel bags on eBay
• Other Diesel She’s Got the Lock bags on eBay:

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