PETA is always ready to speak out against fur and animal skin loving celebrities, and now the animal rights group has Victoria Beckham firmly in its sights.

The label won’t be taking the extreme measure of dousing the former Spice Girl in animal blood as was rumored, but it is concerned that she may be ignorant of the ways animal suffer for fashion. It hopes the video it’s sent the singer will make her better informed and encourage her to use animal-free alternatives in her future fashion designs.

“We don’t believe that Victoria has chosen to ignore the plight of these animals, we just worry that the information didn’t make its way to her,” a PETA spokesperson explained. “No one with an ounce of compassion could watch PETA’s footage and still promote exotic skins as accessories. With all of the luxurious, cruelty-free alternatives at her disposal, there is simply no need or excuse for Victoria to include any skins in her collection.“

Something tells me PETA’s emotive clip won’t be enough to change Victoria’s design philosophy. She has remained tightlipped on the controversy, preferring instead to let her publicist do the talking.

“Everyone is entitled to personal opinion and choice, but as with all Victoria Beckham products, the handbags are made to the highest quality and design,” the spokesperson told The Daily Mirror. “These skins sit strictly within the CITES [Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species] regulations, and are monitored at every step of production. The skins are farmed in America under very tight guidelines.“

While that’s all well and good, crocodiles are still dying for the sake of fashion. Something tells me that’s PETA’s problem.

[Source: Vogue.com]
[Image Source: Tawny Kate-Aen/Wikipedia Commons]

Victoria Beckham Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Victoria Beckham, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

There are a few things I expect from Tod’s: sophistication, structure, and style. Sadly, the brand forgot about the first criteria with this Gummy G-Bag tote.

The original Tod’s G-Bags quickly became a go-to bag for down to earth celebs like Jessica Alba and Julia Roberts. So I’m not sure why the label decided to give it this cheap and tacky makeover.

The name comes from the transparent red PVC, which appears something like a gummy candy. That might be a bit of fun, but it’s not very chic. Not even the tan leather handles and trims can make this tote appear as elegant as its $595 price tag warrants.

And that’s a shame, because the G-Bag design is just as appealing as ever. It’s just the right size for everyday use, and its shoulder straps should make carrying easy. But I wonder how many of us want all our items on full display. With no lining, there’s no mystery here.

There’s also no class, and frankly for $595 that’s something I think we all deserve.

More Features of This Tod’s Transparent PVC  Tote

• Polished silver-toned hardware
• An interior snap closure
• A large zippered pouch inside
• Dual 21-inch handles with an 8.5 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 12 x 7.5 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Tod’s Gummy G-Bag Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bluefly
• Check the My Luxurious Needs eBay store to see if this Tod’s bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tod’s bags on BagBunch
• The Michael Kors Malibu Tote bag, a great alternative to this transparent bag.
• Searching for more Tod’s bags on eBay
• Other Tod’s G-Bags on eBay:

[phpbay]Tod’s G Bag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Smart yet affordable clutches that easily make the transition from day to night; these are Prezzo’s specialty!

For the daytime, this patent clutch is a smart and simple purse, jazzed up with a little touch of metallic snakeskin. It will fit demurely in with a smart business outfit, although it won’t store all that many belongings. For the evening, the metallic quality makes this shine under the dazzling lights, although many people may want a little bit more bling.

For $30, I am tempted to say that you can’t go wrong with a purse like this. However, there are always going to be fancy leather alternatives available for higher prices, and this will help avoid that over-shiny patent effect. Still, you get a strap in the bargain, and it isn’t a tacky chain, which is a definite positive in my book!

Cheap, cheerful, and pretty darn versatile.

More Features of this Prezzo Snakeskin Evening Bag

• Also available in bronze or silver
• Synthetic patent exterior
• Optional patent strap
• Single interior zip pocket

Get this Affordable Patent Clutch:

• Available to buy on Amazon
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Prezzo bags on BagBunch
• The Alexis Hudson Snowbird clutch, a great alternative to this patent bag.
• Searching for more snakeskin bags on eBay
• Other Prezzo bags on eBay:

[phpbay]prezzo handbag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

For some reason the orange, yellow and green stripes fanning out across this Fossil tote remind me of a sunset or a sunrise.

Fossil handbags have been getting smarter and smarter recently, and this unusually colored satchel  is no exception. Those tones make it perfect for fall, as does the classic and rather traditional shape. If it were bigger it would make a gorgeous leather weekend bag, thanks to the optional long handles, but it is equally useful as a normal purse for the day to day bits and pieces.

Whilst the Maddox tote is stylish, I was surprised by the price tag. $218 is a lot more than I am used to paying for a Fossil bag, even a lovely leather one like this. Although the materials and the rich colors are lovely, this price seems somewhat excessive, and may put off those that are faithful to the brand.

The Maddox convertible handbag is a pretty but pricey option.

More Features of this Fossil Maddox Leather Tote

• Multiple interior zip and cell phone pockets
• Genuine leather exterior
• Two handle options
• Multiple exterior pockets

Get this Sun Patterned Convertible Satchel:

• Available to buy on Amazon
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Fossil bags on BagBunch
• The Chinese Laundry Michelle satchel, a great alternative to this leather bag.
• Searching for more convertible bags on eBay
• Other Fossil bags on eBay:

[phpbay]fossil handbag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

As I write here in Australia, current fashion is all about the spring racing carnival. You don’t need to love horse racing to enjoy the celebrations, which for many of us are all about frocking up, pouring a few glasses of bubbles, and feeling fabulous. I’ve chosen my dress for the big Melbourne Cup race, but I just can’t decide on a purse. If I were feeling particularly daring, this Secretary cross-body bag may have been the one.

It’s a bit obvious to carry a horse’s head to the races, but if your fashion taste veers towards the flamboyant that’s likely to be just the thing that you like about it. What I embrace is the quality behind the novelty factor. The horse is made from natural wood salvaged from fallen Acacia trees. It’s been beautifully realized, with big black eyes and a cute white spot on the nose.

It’s also not the most practical purse. The horse head shape will be more limiting than the average box purse, so you might want to apply one of those long-life lipsticks before you step out. There’s also a certain creepy Godfather vibe about carrying around a horse’s head.

And finally, at $350 it’s pretty expensive for a handbag that will never make its way into our everyday wardrobe. Something tells me the girls that have fallen for it won’t mind too much though; there’s certainly nothing else like it!

More Features of This Timmy Woods Horse Head Cross-Body Bag

• Clasp closure
• A cross-body strap with an 18.5 inch drop
• Measures 7 x 7 x 3.75 inches

Get this Timmy Woods Secretary Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Timmy Woods Secretary, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Mirra N Me eBay store to see if this Timmy Woods bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Timmy Woods bags on BagBunch
• The Fendi Zucca Seleria Canvas Horse Tote bag, a great alternative to this horse bag.
• Searching for more Timmy Woods bags on eBay

One Mango Tree is the latest fashion brand working with artisans abroad to make a difference. The label’s clothes, handbags, and other accessories are handcrafted by women living in Northern Uganda.

One Mango Tree founder Halle Butvin traveled to Africa in 2006, and was amazed to find many women were trained as tailors through international aid programs, but had no outlet for their skills. And so the business was born.

Today One Mango Tree employs almost forty women who receive fair wages for their services. Additionally profits from the label’s fashion items provide financial literacy and English language classes for the employee’s African communities.

The organization really has thought of everything. It supplies bicycles for the women to commute to the One Mango Tree building, which offers on-site daycare for any young children.

As the label grows, there is increased emphasis on eco-friendly materials. The latest crop of purses is crafted from organic cotton grown in the fields of Northern Uganda.

With ethnic fashion still right on trend, it seems smart to invest in a genuine tribal purse like one from One Mango Tree, rather than a high end designer imitation, doesn’t it?

[Source: Magnifeco]
[Image Source: One Mango Tree]

African Bags on eBay

[phpbay]African, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Tignanello is rarely a handbag brand that follows the fads, but the label is surprisingly on trend with this My Military hobo.

Tignanello has always embraced muted hues, so it knows how to use them here to great effect. The colors are gentle enough to suit any situation, but still very modern. That should ensure that this hobo looks good long after our taste for military inspired fashion has faded. Golden buckles and studs really pop against the conservative shades.

This hobo still has some of the slouch we expect from this type of bag, but it’s got a bit more structure than most. That should make this hobo more user friendly, as it’s not going to fall over when we’re trying to get our essentials in and out.

There’s plenty of space for them inside this tote, and with lots of pockets inside and out there’s no excuse for your bag getting cluttered. Of course, it won’t be enough to save the most scatterbrained amongst us!

At $149, this Tignanello hobo is an affordable way to indulge in the current military trend.

More Features of This Tignanello Leather Hobo

• A hidden magnetic closure
• Custom printed interior lining
• A back wall zip pocket, multifunctional slip pockets, and a zippered divider inside
• Side exterior slip pockets
• Flat bottom with protective feet
• Dual shoulder straps with a 9.5 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 5.5 x 10 inches

Get this Tignanello My Military Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Tignanello My Military hobo, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Trustworthy1188 eBay store to see if this Tignanello bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tignanello bags on BagBunch
• The Tignanello My Military shopper bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Tignanello bags on eBay

The new website I-ELLA takes the old fashioned concept of fashion swapping parties global, and even some of our favorite celebrities are getting on board.

The member’s only site lets you shop from the closets of other I-ELLA fans, so you can enjoy big discounts and know you’re helping the planet at the same time. Gossip Girl Whitney Port and model Veronica Webb are just some of the celebs who’ve been quick to sign up. And I can tell you, they’ve got pretty amazing closets!

If you want to browse their collections you’ll need to register for membership. New spaces for members are added each day, so you’ll just have to be patient until you get called up. Once you’re in you can offload some of your unwanted fashion items and replace them with the goodies owned by other members.

This unique style of shopping isn’t only sustainable; it’s also altruistic. A percentage of the profits from every product you buy benefits a charity of your choice, such as Face Africa or Keep a Child Alive.

Will you sign up?

[Source: Ecouterre]
[Image Source: I-Ella]

Tianni offers us plenty of space and retro style with this Zoe satchel.

This isn’t the kind of handbag that cries out for attention, but there’s something endearing about its white handles and trim. I love the way these light, bright accents pop against the bright red PVC. The pleats seem a bit awkward and unevenly executed, but they do help to break up the large expanse of colored material.

It might not be the most luxurious of handbags, but it is luxuriously large. The Zoe was clearly made with pack rats in mind, as there’s enough space for everyday essentials and then some. The pair of open pockets and zippered pouch do the job of keeping us organized, but that’s about all. This configuration is really what we expect of a purse of this size and price, no more and no less.

Having said that, any time a bag so large comes under the magic $100 mark I’m impressed. Tianni has done well to make the Zoe an everyday handbag we can all afford.

More Features of This Tianni Retro Satchel

• Zip top closure
• Fully lined
• Dual handles
• Measures 3.5 x 14 x 11 inches
• Made in China

Get this Tianni Zoe Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Tianni Zoe Satchel, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Tianni bags on BagBunch
• The Tianni Zoe hobo bag, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more Tianni bags on eBay

We looked at crocheted version of The SAK’s Indio tote last year, but I’ve only recently discovered the label’s luxury leather alternative.

This is a great option if you adored the Indio’s silhouette, but just couldn’t come at the rustic knitted crochet body. This leather alternative is sleeker and more luxurious, although it doesn’t do the environment any favors as the original version did!

The Indio is available in a range of colors but I think this metallic black is my favorite. So often black is a safe, classic option so it’s great to see The SAK stepping outside the box and delivering it a little differently. This glitzy material needs little embellishment, so The SAK keeps it simple by adding just a handful of subtle seams.

The pair of braided handles seem a little organic for this sophisticated handbag, but I suppose they create a bit of textural interest and drama. They might not be to my taste, but they’re also no deal breakers either.

For $139, The SAK gives us a handbag with both timeless style and substance.

More Features of This The SAK Leather Tote

• Lined in cotton
• Magnetic closure
• Measures 11.5 x 16.5 x 10 inches

Get this The SAK Indio Handbag:

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

[phpbay]The SAK Indio Leather tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More The SAK bags on BagBunch
• The SAK small Indio crochet bag, a great alternative to this leather bag.
• Searching for more The SAK bags on eBay