H&M is preparing to release a new Fashion Against AIDS clothing range for 2011. The unisex collection, which looks to promote safe sax and HIV/AIDS prevention, will feature backpacks, scarves, slogan T-shirts, coats, and more.

The range already has a host of celebrities backing it, including actresses Selma Blair, Nikki Reed, and Ginnifer Goodwin, and musos Akon, Scissor Sisters, Keri Hilson, and The Misshapes. The personalities have all modeled the new H&M goodies for the Swedish retailer’s advertising campaign. This image shows The Misshapes in their H&M ad looking just like they’ve stepped out of the 80s. I know retro fashions are back in vogue, but are these pastel slogan covered items taking things a step too far?

Happily the Fashion Against AIDS launch is more than just about raising awareness and looking good. It’s also about getting money to the places that need it. A quarter of the proceeds from all Fashion Against AIDS sales will benefit Designers Against AIDS and a range of other HIV and AIDS awareness initiatives and charity organizations.

The Fashion Against AIDS apparel and accessories will hit H&M stores on April 28, but online shoppers can get a jump on the competition. The limited edition items will hit the web on April 26.

[Source: Handbag.com]

A selection of art decorated Fendi baguette bags are amongst the covetable items being auctioned through Christie’s and Runway to Green’s A Bid to Save the Earth online auction.

The online extravaganza is a companion project to the A Bid to Save the Earth live event, which raised $1.4 million for environmental charities last Friday. Monies raised were distributed amongst Conservation International, Oceana, the Central Park Conservancy, and National Resources Defense Council.

The online auction is going to push that figure through the roof, as the Fendi bags are just a few of the hundreds of desirable items and experiences up for grabs. The Fendi purses have been customized by KAWS, Damien Hirst, Richard Prince, Tom Sachs, and Andisheh Avini.

Handbag lovers will also be tempted by personalized bags from Bottega Veneta and Dea Rosa, and designer purses from Balmain, Gucci, and Tory Burch. These items sit comfortably alongside items like a trip to Tanzania and Mozambique, VIP tickets to the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera, and a tennis lesson with John McEnroe.

Nothing’s going cheaply though, and with the auction lasting until Thursday April 7 those prices are only going to climb. Consider this a place to make a charitable donation, and score some unique items at the same time, rather than the spot to bag a bargain!

[Source: Unbeiege]

Fendi Baguettes on eBay

[phpbay]Fendi baguette, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Russian model Irina Shayk is the new face, and the body, of Spanish clothing label Xti.

The European beauty, who shot to fame with her swimwear shoots for Sports Illustrated, poses here carrying one of the label’s large handbags and a shorter than short pair of denim cutoffs. It’s a good thing that the blue perforated satchel is so large; otherwise we might cop an eyeful!

This sizzling ad isn’t the only sexy one in the campaign. In another sensual shot the model, still topless, poses alongside a similarly shirtless Arthur Sales. She’s still wearing those shorts, and carrying one of Xti’s sequin covered shoes, as if to say that the Spanish label’s accessories are really all you need. Although if you can find a handsome male model to snuggle up to, it probably doesn’t hurt. I wonder what her boyfriend, football star Cristiano Ronaldo would say?

Irina’s star is certainly on the rise after her recent work with Sports Illustrated, Victoria’s Secret, and Ory swimwear. These scorching shots for Xti certainly won’t hurt her profile any. But while Irina’s involvement will certainly encourage more people to look at the Xti ads, I wonder how effective they are for the brand. After all, is anyone really looking at that bag?

[Source: Daily Mail]

Perforated Handbags on eBay

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Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have had a lucky escape after Judge Simone Luerti ruled they would not stand trial for tax evasion.

You might remember me writing in November about the charges, which alleged that the Italian designers had each moved $569 million to a Luxembourg holding company to avoid paying tax between 2004 and 2006. However it took the judge just four and a half hours yesterday to decide the D&G head honchos had no case to answer for.

Understandably Giuseppe Bana, the lawyer for the designing duo’s accountant Luciano Patelli, said he was “very pleased” with the decision. He added that the judge prevented what was an unnecessary investigation from going too far.

I’m sure that Dolce and Gabbana themselves are also feeling pretty relieved right now. Those figures were astronomical and forecasters predicted they’d have to pay a $1 billion fine if they were found guilty. Even if they were found innocent, the bad publicity from a lengthy legal trial wouldn’t have helped the Dolce & Gabbana brand any.

Thankfully now the Italian creative team can get back to what they do best and focus on designing those handbags and couture items for the next season’s collections!

[Source: Vogue UK]
[Image Source: Michael Gray/Flickr]

Dolce & Gabbana Handbags on eBay

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Finally we’ve found a messenger bag which is casual, but oh so stylish. Pilar Abril strikes the right balance with this Ciclamen messenger.

Denim is one of those rare materials which ticks all the boxes. It’s affordable without looking cheap, and especially versatile in this deep blue shade. In the same way you can get away with a dark pair of jeans on an evening out, this is a messenger you can happily wear outside the classroom.

The rich blue material is accented with cool red and white synthetic lines. They’re quite patriotic and a little bit athletic. It looks casual yet contemporary, so I think you could sneak it into a few more dressed up occasions.

We expect a lot of function from messenger bags, and Pilar Abril delivers on that score too. There’s plenty of space inside, and the pockets are trimmed with leather to help them survive the daily grind. I’m always a bit nervous when a label chooses a white lining, but the signature print should disguise the inevitable small stains. Its strap is also long and completely adjustable, so you can covert the Ciclamen from a shoulder bag to a cross-body purse with ease.

At $75, this messenger bag’s bottom line is every bit as attractive as its design.

More Features of This Pilar Abril Denim Messenger

• Zipper closure
• A tough webbing strap with a 20.5 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 14 x 2.75 inches
• Made in China

Get this Pilar Abril Ciclamen Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Pilar Abril bags on BagBunch
• The Pilar Abril Ciclamen wallet, a great alternative to this messenger bag.
• Searching for more Pilar Abril bags on eBay
• Other denim messenger bags on eBay:

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Zara Terez keeps it simple with this convertible Mediano shoulder bag.

This purse reminds me of so many clutches from the Lauren Merkin stable, with its curved flap and soft, gently pleated body. But it’s given its own personality with a choice of exotic finishes. If you like a pop of color you’ll gravitate towards the croc-accented purses in cheery yellow or this pretty baby pink. The lizard embossed clutches are a bit more traditional in black and brown.

You might be wondering why Zara Terez calls the Mediano a shoulder bag when in the photo it so clearly looks like a clutch. However the designer has been a little sneaky, tucking a chain strap away inside. I’m thankful for this addition as the Mediano is quite sizable for a clutch. That means we can carry a bit more than usual on an evening out, but it also makes it a bit awkward to manage by hand.

Considering the Mediano’s simple exterior, I was surprised to see the sequin covered lining Zara Terez has tucked away inside. It’s a bit of fun, but also not very practical. It’s only a matter of time before these shiny discs come away from the fabric.

The Mediano is a fine evening accessory, but I’ve also got the feeling that I’ve seen it all before. I’d like to see a bit more imagination for my $290.

More Features of This Zara Terez Croc Embossed Shoulder Bag

• Magnetic closure
• Sequined knit lining
• A single shoulder strap with an 11 inch drop
• Measures 9.5 x 15 x 4.5 inches
• Made in the United States

Get this Zara Terez Mediano Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Zara Terez Mediano, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Bluefly eBay store to see if this Zara Terez bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Zara Terez bags on BagBunch
• The Zara Terez Nolita mini clutch bag, a great alternative to this flap bag.
• Searching for more Zara Terez bags on eBay

Carla Mancini brings some rock and roll edge to boho fashion with this Julia Hobo.

With its soft leather body, fringed accents, and long tassels you might assume the Julia was your typical bohemian handbag. But the Julia is one tough cookie. The fringe is shorter than the average, and that makes it look a bit punchier. And then as if the fringe wasn’t edgy enough, Carla Mancini adds a smattering silvery pyramid studs.

For me the rich black leather is the icing on the cake. It’s also not bad in chocolate brown, but the Julia loses some of its soul in light gray. Perhaps girls who aren’t quite comfortable with their inner rock chick will embrace this pale option, but I think it looks a bit watered down.

This Julia makes a decisive style statement, but it doesn’t forget what we need a bag to do. It’s generously sized and packed with practical leather reinforced pockets.

I also really like the choice of carrying options. The shoulder strap is made with stitched leather swatches which almost resemble scales. And then we get the cross-body strap, which is just as edgy with its silver studs. It’s unusual for a designer to put any thought in the way one strap looks, but to find two such stylish options is almost unheard of. I wish both were detachable so we had a cleaner look in cross-body mode, but that’s a minor complaint.

I only wish the Julia looked as good leaving as it does from the front. Sadly though while the front is adorned, the back is boring and bare. With its fairly significant $575 price tag, I didn’t expect such corner cutting.

More Features of This Carla Mancini Tassel Hobo

• Zip top closure
• Faille lined interior
• Measures 12 x 16.5 x 5 inches
• Made in the United States

Get this Carla Mancini Julia Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Carla Mancini bags on BagBunch
• The Vieta Jerome bag, a great alternative to this studded fringed bag.
• Searching for more Carla Mancini bags on eBay
• Other studded fringe bags on eBay:

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Morris Museum in New Jersey is celebrating vintage accessories from the last few centuries with its exhibition On the Head and In the Hand: 200 Years of Hats and Purses. The exhibition, which has 52 purses and 87 hats, will be on display until September 25.

Elizabeth Laba, the costume curator for Morris Museum, says the display shows the way that fashion, craftsmanship, and design has evolved over time. Think of the way women wore grand hats until the late 20th century, when headwear became more relaxed.

Many of the purses on display are also much smaller than the large bags we carry, as women of the day didn’t need to carry laptops or mobile phones. They weren’t traveling or even working in those early days of fashion so they needed very little on their person, and their choice of purse reflected that. It’s amazing looking at the detail on those tiny purses. Over a relatively small space, the artisans created beautiful beaded, embroidered, and woven designs which are really amazing to see.

A wool flame-stitch embroidered wallet used by a soldier during the Revolutionary War is one of the oldest pieces on show.

All that sounds fascinating, but Judith Leiber fans may be best postponing their visit. An additional 20 Judith Leiber purses will join the exhibition on April 8. Entry is free though, so perhaps you’ll want to visit a few times!

[Source: Art Daily]

Judith Leiber Purses on eBay

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Kensie Girl shows its sensible side with the Button Up cross-body.

This purse’s name comes from both its conservative demeanor and that cute little button accent on the envelope style flap. That button gives an otherwise classic style a bit of Kensie Girl’s signature whimsy. She might be buttoned up, but she’s not a complete wallflower!

The color choices also step outside the box. I really like the matte color choices: this pretty seaside blue and the mustardy lemon yellow. I’m less convinced by the white purse with its black flap and straps though. I suppose this was Kensie Girl’s attempt at colorblocking, but such large patches of contrasting colors don’t really work for me.

The Button Up is made from synthetic rather than leather, but it’s one of the best manmade mimics I’ve seen. Its deep pebbled finish and softness are so impressive it might even fool your friends. This synthetic’s quality is even more commendable when we consider Kensie Girl’s very affordable bottom line. At $49, this sweet cross-body is a steal.

The only letdown for me is that long cross-body strap. Rather than use more of that enviable synthetic, Kensie Girl has made the strap from nylon. It’s a woven material rather than that horrible shiny nylon, but it still cheapens this cross-body’s impeccable good looks.

More Features of This Kensie Girl Synthetic Cross-Body Bag

• Magnetic snap closure
• An exterior slide pocket
• An zip pocket and two slide pockets inside
• Measures 3 x 10 x 8 inches

Get this Kensie Girl Button Up Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Kensie Girl Button Up crossbody, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Kensie Girl bags on BagBunch
• The Kensie Girl Button Up tote bag, a great alternative to this cross-body bag.
• Searching for more Kensie Girl bags on eBay

British bag brand Safor, a favorite amongst discerning celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, is the latest label to launch a more affordable diffusion line.

The move represents a real shift for Safor, which began creating one-of-a-kind couture bags in 2007. Quality won’t suffer in the new collection though. The brand’s founder and designer Sarah Forsyth said the new purses will be just as high-end and classic as the more exclusive Safor products. However they’ve been designed with twenty-somethings in mind, a fashion conscious generation who do not have the disposable income of their older peers.

Vogue UK has posted photos of the entire collection on its website. I particularly love the lurid pink and turquoise colors of the snakeskin Katherine Louise purse pictured. It’s also hard to go past the ladylike charms of the dark python leather Dorothy Sue bag. Which new Safor purse has won your heart?

If you’re a fan of Safor’s high end couture accessories, don’t worry. Its luxury line will continue to thrive, with new leathers, skins and materials keeping things interesting. The diffusion collection isn’t the last innovation we’ll see from Safor either. In the long term, Forsyth says she hopes to create wallets and colored iPad covers. It sounds like there are big things in store for Safor!

The new Safor diffusion line is available for purchase through the Safor website.

[Source: Vogue UK]

Snakeskin Purses on eBay

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