Swedish retailer H&M is drawing attention to the work of the Non-Violence Project Foundation through the launch of the Knot Violence Non-Violence collection.

The fashion range features peace-related graphic T-shirts, tank tops and this knotted gun tote. The knotted gun image is used on several tees too, and quite rightly so. The iconic design was created by the artist Carl Fredik Reutersward after the murder of legendary British singer John Lennon. Many of the Knot Violence Non-Violence fashion items are made from organic cotton, so they’re good for the planet as well as its people.

Ten percent of the sales from H&M’s Knot Violence Non-Violence tote and tees will benefit the Non Violence Project Foundation. This Swiss youth education and leadership program looks to stamp out violence and promote positive social change.

I really love the concept, but I think the tote bag is a bit overdone. All that embellishment makes the knotted gun get a bit lost; the symbol really should be up front and center. I’m much more enthusiastic about the tops which feature bold logos and more minimalist designs. What do you think?

The Knot Violence Non-Violence collection will hit stores this April. No prices have been announced at this point, but considering they’re from H&M no doubt they’ll be cheap and cheerful.

[Source: Racked]

H&M Totes on eBay

[phpbay]HM tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

LeSportsac helps you carry your essentials in comfort with this practical Shellie cross-body purse.

It’s not very fashion forward, but with LeSportsac you always know what you’re going to get. The Shellie is a simply designed purse made more interesting with its neon Inca print. It’s not very luxurious either, but its tough ripstop polyester body is made to withstand some serious punishment and resist springtime showers.

Fans of LeSportsac’s Ellie bag may be disappointed though, as this remake is lacking in a few key ways. The former model had an extra pocket at the back for stashing stuff against your body, and it just looked a little bit cuter. The Shellie will do the job, but you have to wonder why you’d fix what ain’t broke.

While we lose that rear pocket, the Shellie’s still really functional. Its long strap is completely adjustable, so you can convert the Shellie from a cross-body to a shoulder bag with ease. It’s also packed with more secure zippered pockets than I’d expect in a purse of this size, but I’m grateful for the extra organizational aid!

At $42 this LeSportsac cross-body bag represents great value.

More Features of This LeSportsac Cross-Body Purse

• Zip top closure
• An adjustable strap with a 10 to 22 inch drop
• Measures 1.2 x 8 x 7.5 inches

Get this LeSportsac Shellie Handbag:

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

[phpbay]LeSportsac Shellie, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the A Special Handbag for YOU eBay store to see if this LeSportsac bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More LeSportsac bags on BagBunch
• The LeSportsac Sofia bag, a great alternative to this cross-body bag.
• Searching for more LeSportsac bags on eBay

Fashion developer and marketer R.G. Barry Corp is expanding its accessories interests with the purchase of casual handbag label Baggallini.

Company chief executive officer Greg Tunney says the acquisition will see the company grow from a one-dimensional slipper label to a multi-faceted accessories brand.

The numbers certainly suggest that R.G. Barry Corp’s made the right move. As it dealt exclusively with slippers, it only accessed around 2% of the women’s accessories market, a sector worth some $30 billion. Baggallini proved itself as a brand on the up by posting growth of around 19% between the years of 2006 to 2010. R.G. Barry Corp’s senior vice president of finance said Baggallini ticked all the boxes.

“It is asset light, cash generating and will be immediately accretive to earnings; it expands our customer and consumer demographic bases; and it will benefit from backroom synergies with our existing enterprises,” he explained.

We shouldn’t expect things to change too much for Baggallini though. The handbag brand will continue to operate from its Portland, Oregon base as a wholly-owned subsidiary. I can’t imagine R.G. Barry Corp will want to tweak those time-honored designs too much either. You know what they say about not fixing what isn’t broken!

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Baggallini Bags on eBay

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

I haven’t always been the biggest advocate of Vera Bradley’s homespun accessories, but she’s thoroughly charmed me with this Make Me Up cosmetics case.

This purse is so cute it just makes me want to gush. I love its structured, round shape, and the way the flower appliqué on the top mirrors the floral print which winds its way around the sides. The colors are cheery and fresh, and the pink patent trim finishes things off nicely.

Honestly I’d swoon over this purse even if its beauty was only skin deep, but I’m thankful that Vera Bradley hasn’t skimped on functional features. The wrap around zip top makes it easy to open this cosmetics case up and access our beauty must haves. An elasticized pocket in the lid gives us an extra bit of storage space.

This cosmetics case is made for travel rather than nights out with the girls, but I probably wouldn’t save it for my weekends away. Wouldn’t it just look darling sitting on a dresser? And at a mere $21, we really can’t go wrong!

More Features of This Vera Bradley Floral Cosmetics Case

• Made of easy-clean laminated cotton
• Laminated cotton lining
• Loop on lid
• Weighs 6 pounds

Get this Vera Bradley Make Me Up Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Vera Bradley Make Me Up, 2, “”, blush mesh kiss[/phpbay]

• Check the Austindevin eBay store to see if this Vera Bradley bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Vera Bradley bags on BagBunch
• The Vera Bradley Make Me Up in Barcelona, a great alternative to this Buttercup colored bag.
• Searching for more Vera Bradley bags on eBay

The Japanese earthquake has hit the bottom lines of many leading fashion brands, but they’re still reaching out to those in need. Several of our favorite labels have launched fundraising campaigns to help the victims of this natural disaster.

Coach plans to donate 400 million yen, the equivalent of around $5 million US, to the Japanese Red Cross.

Rebecca Minkoff is working on something big, but until that’s announced she’ll donate $100 from the sale of every red handbag to the Red Cross. If you’re not in the market for another purse you can donate through the Rebecca Minkoff website.

Brooks Brothers has created a Customer Giving Campaign. It will send 100% of the donations raised through the program to the American Red Cross to assist with its efforts in Japan. Brooks Brothers’ Golden Fleece Foundation all match the donations generated to a value of $50, 000.

Gap has donated $200, 000 to Global Giving’s Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. This money will help support the work of Save the Children and International Medical Corps in Japan. It’s also encouraged its employees to give, and promises to match those donations dollar for dollar. Customers can join Gap’s efforts by donating to Global Giving through its website.

Altruistic shoppers can also give to the American Red Cross, as well as Shelter Box and Doctors Without Borders through Bergdorf Goodman’s Facebook page.

All these programs make it pretty easy for fashion fans to do their bit to help out, and indulge in a new accessory or two at the same time!

[Source: Stylelist]
[Image Source: Kent Nguyen/Flickr]

Big Buddha seems to have taken inspiration from the world of art when creating this Monet clutch. Do you think it’s a masterpiece?

I think the potential for greatness was there, but it’s too complicated to really impress me. I really like the volume that the crinkling gives the synthetic, but Big Buddha should have stopped there. The large diamond quilting gives the purse another layer that it didn’t really need.

That lush, squishy surface would feel wonderful in your hand, but that’s not the only way to carry the Monet. It also comes with a long synthetic woven chain strap, which allows you to wear the clutch like a shoulder bag. It’s detachable too, so it needn’t clutter up the purse’s insides when it’s not needed.

Just like Baby Bear’s porridge, this Monet’s size is just right. It’s spacious enough to carry everything you really need on an evening out, and it’s got a smart zippered pocket for keeping small items separate.

The Monet could be better, but it’s a really solid purse, and one that represents great value for its $44.95 price tag.

More Features of This Big Buddha Crinkled Clutch

• Top zip entry
• Fabric lined interior
• A chain strap with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 6 x 7 x 3 inches

Get this Big Buddha Monet Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Big Buddha Monet clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Handbags Beautiful eBay store to see if this Big Buddha bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Big Buddha bags on BagBunch
• The Big Buddha Monet satchel bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more Big Buddha bags on eBay

Chloe’s elegant, hip styles are a breath of fresh air. It’s had an epic spring season, and this Madeleine bowler is a another great addition to the collection.

The rich ruby color of the Madeleine is extremely seductive. I mean that in several different ways. First of all, the color is unusual given the prevalence of neutrals and pastels this season. But even just on its own, the color is beautiful, and more than a little sexy. After all, who can resist red, especially when its as deep and luxe as this? The smooth texture of the leather lets the color take center stage.

The design of this bowler is fabulous. I’m not always a fan of bowlers, as they tend to be clunky and awkward, but this version is none of those things. It still, however, manages to integrate all the practicality of a bowling bag with its sleek design. The full zippered top extends all the way from the bottom of each side of the bag, which makes the bag easy to open completely. The front zippered pocket is another useful, and convenient, design feature.

The Madeleine is pretty pricey at $2130, but it’s a great timeless look that will stand the test of trends.

More Features Of The Chloe Madeleine Leather Bowling Bag

• 13″ x 9″ x 8″ size
• 6″ strap drop
• Fully lined in blush leather

Get this Chloé Madeleine Bowler:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Chloe bags on BagBunch
• The Botkier Jaden Hobo, a larger alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Chloe bags on eBay
• Other red leather bowlers on eBay:
  [phpbay]red leather bowling, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Miu Miu used to be one of those lines that I always looked forward to, but lately that’s just not the case. The line is seriously inconsistent, except in terms of pricing. Miu Miu can always be counted on to be expensive. This patchwork leather bag is a more interesting design than I’ve seen from Miu Miu recently, but it’s still not worth its weighty price tag.

I’m really intrigued by the patchworked chevron design of the leather. Honestly, I really like the geometry of the pattern and the way that it contrasts with the softness of the shape, but the weave of the leather strips is a little loose and it comes off as kind of sloppy. The antiqued gold hardware helps to bring the look together a little, as it complements the warmth of the tan leather.

I love the shape of this bag, as it combines the hobo shape with a flap front. The size is generous, some might say unmanageably large. Frankly, I’d agree. It’s just a bit too much for every day, unless you’re a really heavy packer. Plus, the size really enhances the already sloppy look of the bag.

For $1895, I can think of a lot of more interesting bags to buy.

More Features Of The Miu Miu Patchwork Leather Hobo Bag

• 19″ x 11″ x 3″ size
• 4″ strap drop
• Adjustable, detachable shoulder strap
• Fully lined in black twill

Get this Miu Miu Patchwork Hobo Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Miu Miu bags on BagBunch
• The Miu Miu Bugatti Glazed Leather Tote, a great alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Miu Miu handbags on eBay
• Other patchwork hobo bags on eBay:
  [phpbay]patchwork hobo,2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Marni is one of those very hip lines that seems to have figured out how to meld urban youthfulness with a sophisticated aesthetic in a way that women love. This leather shoulder bag is a great example of how well it can pull off a really exciting combination of elements.

The black leather on this bag is very smooth, and that is what gives it the slouchy casual look despite the structured design. The exposed zippers and large silver grommets give the bag an edgy appeal. Honestly, I’m not really a fan of the large grommets however, as I think they distract slightly from the sleek, minimal look of the bag.

The shape of the bag is really interesting. I don’t even really know how to classify it. It’s a half hourglass shape with structured sides and the slouchy look of a hobo. The clean, straight lines of the top are nicely balanced by the curviness of the bottom of the bag. The slim straps are an elegant touch, but they’re a bit impractical on such a large bag.

At $1715, this is a pretty pricey designer accessory, and while it’s one that I like the look of, generally, it’s few design inconsistencies make it seem a little overpriced.

More Features Of The Marni Slouchy Leather Shoulder Bag

• 15″ x 14″ x 11″ size
• 7″ strap drop
• Interior pouch and zipper pockets
• Fully lined in black twill

Get this Marni Slouchy Leather Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Marni bags on BagBunch
• The Marni Slouchy Shoulder Bag, a great alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Marni bags on eBay
• Other slouchy black leather bags  on eBay:
  [phpbay]slouchy black leather, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]