Cho Cho Design House has released the Cho Cho smartphone bag, an accessory the fashion house claims is the first tailor-made for holding the new generation of cell phones.

The purse is the work of Canadian born designer and singer Aasha. She says she was inspired to create the purse to keep pace with her busy life as a recording artist and new mother. She called it Cho Cho after the Japanese word for butterfly. The animal, which is a symbol of the freedom and beauty the bag embodies, is emblazoned across the front of the purse.

Personally I wonder whether we really need a bag made for holding smart phones. After all, our regular accessories seem to have enough space for carrying this new technology and other items as well. However there are a few features about the Cho Cho that caught my eye. While the design is a bit gaudy for my tastes I can’t fault its quality. Aasha has used genuine lambskin leather and decorated it with authentic Swarovski crystals. I also like the secret window on the back, which allows us to check our smartphone for messages and calls without removing it from the purse. The adjustable and removable straps also allow us to wear it three ways for extra versatility.

So while I’m not sure the market was crying out for the Cho Cho as its creators would lead us to believe, many gadget loving girls will probably embrace this tech-focused purse. It’s available to order through the Cho Cho Bags website.

[Source: PR Web]

Smartphone Purses on eBay

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Neon colors help punch up this simple Mott Wristlet from Gorjana.

I was surprised to see the label creating such a basic wristlet. Its pouch shape is very ordinary, and devoid of the usual charm we see on the label’s purses. The material and color palette appeases me though. The Mott’s bright coral color and neon yellow accents might have seemed too much on a fussier design after all. And who can find fault with soft lambskin?

I’m not sure about the Mott’s white back though. The coral was so cheerful that this neutral seems bland in comparison. I suppose we could reason that Gorjana’s offered two looks in one, but this underside isn’t as appealing. If you feel the same way perhaps you’ll prefer one of the other color palettes!

There aren’t any surprises when we look inside the Mott. Its main compartment is lined, but that fabric is the only thing we’ll find. A pocket might have helped us stay organized, but a space so small doesn’t really need such aids. And for this price, it’s hard to fault Gorjana for neglecting it.

You’ll probably find a cheaper wristlet than this $75 pouch, but you’re unlikely to find one of such quality. If you value longevity, the Mott’s a great investment.

More Features of This Gorjana Lambskin Wristlet

• Zip top closure
• Fully lined interior
• A detachable wrist strap
• Measures 8.75 x 4.25 inches

Get this Gorjana Mott Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Gorjana bags on BagBunch
• The Harveys Minni Coin Purse bag, a great alternative to this bright bag.
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Global Elements has created an eco-friendly and affordable alternative to Diane Von Furstenberg’s Stephanie bag with this Sarita hobo.

It seems a little unfair to compare a cheap and cheerful purse with a celebrity favorite It bag, but the influence seems undeniable. The chain-like woven finish is so distinctive, and the slouchy crescent shape a virtual carbon copy.

The Stephanie turned my head, but the Sarita’s sustainable credentials ensure it doesn’t feel like a mere poor cousin. Rather than the metallic leather Von Furstenberg played with, Global Elements has opted for sisal.

This isn’t a fabric we see a lot of in the fashion world, but this natural fibre is definitely worth considering. It comes from a variety of agave which is crushed and beaten down to create a stiff material. It’s most often seen in twine and rope, so you know that it’s strong. The plant’s also grown without chemical fertilizer, so its farming has a minimal impact on the environment.

The sisal’s used to great effect here alongside the seed decorated straps. I love the earthy color scheme, which is perhaps appropriate considering its natural source. The Sarita is also as practical as any purse with its spacious, well designed interior and long handle.

The price is the clincher for me. Why spend a fortune on bags that harm the planet when you can score this stylish and sustainable one for just $148?

More Features of This Global Elements Sisal Hobo

• Top zip closure
• Fabic lined interior
• An internal zip pocket and cell phone slip
• Measures 19 x 12 x 6 inches

Get this Global Elements Sarita Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Global Elements bags on BagBunch
• The Diane von Furstenberg Stephanie bag, a great alternative to this woven bag.
• Searching for more Global Elements bags on eBags
• Other sisal bags on eBay:

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Furla seems to be serious about stepping up its influence in the travel sector. The label’s just expanded its deal with cruise ship operator Harding Brothers. The new agreement will see its fall/winter 2012 collection carried on 16 ships, rather than the 10 it originally signed up for.

From July passengers on ships including the Crystal Symphony, Regent’s Voyager, Navigator, and Mariner vessels, and Oceania’s Marina and Riviera ships can shop for Furla’s accessories.

Furla’s head of travel retail, Gerry Munday, says her firm is “delighted” to expand its Harding Brothers deal.

“The passenger demographic is perfect for the Furla brand and we’re confident that our autumn/winter collection will have great sell-out onboard,” she explained.

Furla will also increase its airport presence in the coming months. It plans to open a store in association with James Richardson at Australia’s Cairns Airport by the end of May. It’s also secured a 7.5 square meter space at Tokyo Narita Terminal. This Japanese airport space should be up and running in summer.

Furla hopes to raise awareness of its new travel focus by making its debut at the 2012 Tax Free World Association Asia Pacific Fair in Singapore later this month. Its display will include its fall/winter 2012 collection and its first inflight collection.

I’ve always appreciated Furla’s accessories and am thrilled to see the label evolving. What do you think of its new travel focus?

[Source: The Moodie Report]
[Image Source: Nemariella/Flickr]

Furla Handbags on eBay

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Giuseppe Zanotti serves up just what he tells us with this Beaded Bag.

The name is appropriate, because the beading really is the star here. I really like the crackled turquoise stones, but I’m not so sure about the faceted beads Giuseppe Zanotti’s paired them with. In such bold clashing colors they look like they’ve been taken from a Mardi Gras necklace. They’re playful, but they don’t really gel with the turquoise beads. The black suede throws up all the accents nicely, but should they all be on the same purse? I’m not so sure.

The bare back gives some respite from the visual assault of the clutch’s front. However it also makes the purse feel unfinished. If you liked those beads enough to buy the bag, I’m sure you’ll be disappointed they’re not present throughout the design. I expect this kind of corner cutting on an inexpensive purse, but at $1813 this clutch is far from cheap.

Giuseppe Zanotti tries to convince us we’re getting value by adding a concealed clasp and narrow shoulder strap, but I’m struggling to see it. Sure it’s made from suede, but since when does that come with a four-figure price tag? Clearly when the Giuseppe Zanotti name is attached to it!

More Features of This Giuseppe Zanotti Suede Clutch

• Measures 7.9 x 11.2 inches

Get this Giuseppe Zanotti Beaded Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Giuseppe Zanotti bags on BagBunch
• The Giuseppe Zanotti Multi-Crystal Clutch bag, a great alternative to this black suede bag.
• Searching for more Giuseppe Zanotti bags on eBay
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Eco-conscious artist Nancy Judd is brightening up Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with her Recycle Runway exhibition.

The display features apparel and accessories created using upcycled materials. It’s clearly a labor of love, with many items in the collection taking up to 100 hours to assemble. In fact, she once spent 400 hours unspooling and crocheting cassette tapes to create an animal-friendly faux fur coat!

In this new art installation a purse’s fringing is created by a row of dangling nails. Old office paper is hand-cut to decorate a vintage hat. And parachute scraps and recycled cereal boxes are all it takes to create a red-carpet worthy gown.

The exhibition is the embodiment of Judd’s philosophy that “waste does not exist, only wasted resources.” It shows how with a little creativity and patience, the items we’d usually discard can enjoy a new lease of life.

“The purpose of the Recycle Runway garments is to capture the public’s attention and inspire people to consider the environment in their daily choices at work, home, school and in all their community activities,” the Santa Fe-based artist explained.

The Recycle Runway exhibition will be displayed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport throughout May. Are you excited by Nancy Judd’s eco-conscious designs?

[Source: Ecouterre]

Giorgio Armani has fun with fashion with this Embellished Tote from his Emporio Armani label.

The playful tabs which decorate this tote feel like a modern alternative to fringing. Each curved flap of leather is studded with a bold silver grommet, which brings a little edge to the feathery finish. The effect really livens up the fairly pedestrian brown material, and we miss it on the plain back. We’re used to this kind of corner cutting on cheaper bags, but I wouldn’t have expected it when we’re spending nearly $1000 on this tote.

I hoped Emporio Armani would make amends with some functional features, but there’s no such luck. The leather trimmed pocket is a nice start, but it’s the only practical perk of note. Emporio Armani hasn’t even offered a way to keep the bag closed!

This Embellished Tote turned my head, but on closer inspection it’s left me feeling a bit deflated. Armani had the potential to create a truly exciting tote bag here, but there’s little beyond its striking surface.

More Features of This Emporio Armani Grommet Decorated Tote

• Fully lined interior
• Dual handles
• Measures 16.9 x 6.5 x 14.6 inches

Get this Emporio Armani Embellished Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Giorgio Armani bags on BagBunch
• The Miu Miu Studded Deer Leather tote bag, a great alternative to this grommet decorated bag.
• Searching for more Armani bags on eBay
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Giani Bernini’s rejected the trends to create its classic Harrison shoulder bag.

Admittedly the Harrison is an easy bag to overlook. Its casual slouchy silhouette and deep seams will never inspire handbag envy. And while the leather is plush and buttery soft, in basic black it fails to really excite. But while it doesn’t push the envelope, the Harrison is the kind of bag we’ll find ourselves reaching for time and time again.

It’s a great size for everyday use, large but not so big that it becomes unwieldy. Giani Bernini’s unique triple entry design ensures the space feels manageable. The zippered main compartment is sandwiched between two large swagger pouches. The main compartment features a zippered pocket, three open pouches for gadgets, and even a pair of pen loops. We also find more zippered pockets on the outside for the items we want on hand.

For a mere $278 you’ll be hard pressed to find any leather bag made with such quality materials, let alone one that’s destined to endure for several seasons. Expect to fall a little more in love with the Harrison every time you take it out.

More Features of This Giani Bernini Drawstring Shoulder Bag

• Signature print lining
• Dual shoulder straps with a 10 inch drop
• Measures 16 x 11.5 x 3 inches

Get this Giani Bernini Harrison Handbag:

• Available to buy at Macy’s
• Check the My Favorite Closet eBay store to see if this Giani Bernini bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

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• The Giani Bernini Geraldine tote bag, a great alternative to this black leather bag.
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Hermes has come out in top in a major trademark infringement and counterfeiting case. The verdict has netted the fashion firm a hefty $100 million in damages.

Manhattan federal judge Denise Coat ruled in favour of the esteemed fashion house, which brought charges against 34 websites selling knockoffs of its famous designs. These sites, included HermesBagsOutlet.org and HermesBirkin Bags.org, sold replicas of at least nine key Hermes accessories including its iconic Birkin and Kelly bags. They also created counterfeit versions of other Hermes accessories, such as belts, watches, jewelry, and silk scarves.

It seems these e-tailers will have little chance of surviving as leading search engines, including Google, Yahoo, and Bing, have been instructed to stop providing links to their sites. Facebook and Twitter were also told to de-index the offending sites.

Right now it appears they’re burying their heads in the sand. None of the defendants appeared in court, and they’d previously ignored temporary restraining orders which barred them from selling the Hermes knockoffs.

Now that they’ve been hit in the hip pocket, hopefully the counterfeiters will be forced to take notice! Apparently cash held in the websites PayPal accounts will be directly taken for damages, so there’s little chance of them wheedling out of the fine!

[Source: The Republic]
[Image Source: Yvette Religioso-Ilagan/Wikipedia Commons]

Hermes Birkin Bags on eBay

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Ghibli gives the classic hobo an unusual makeover with this Jeweled Beige Suede & Reptile Leather Hobo Bag.

Its name is a real mouthful, but it tells us plenty about this striking purse. Breaking it down ensures we don’t miss any of this hobo’s details. The jeweled part refers to the pretty Swarovski crystals studded over the dark brown exotic embossed leather handles. The beige suede is pretty self-explanatory; a reminder of the bag’s body which while sumptuously soft looks a bit boring. The drab color disappointed me, although I concede that anything bolder might have seemed too much with the hobo’s other details.

The reptile leather description might be referring to the handles, but it could also point to the scales painted on the tan suede. The skin will never pass as real reptile, but the scales add interest to a fairly pedestrian material. I also love the way their dark edges complement the chocolate handles.

That’s a lot going on, and Ghibli didn’t stop there. There’s a deep V-cut on the front and a long tassel accent, as well as Western influenced whipstitching around the hobo’s sides. Personally I wish Ghibli had pared things back, but in such a non-descript color it might get away with all those embellishments. They certainly help this hobo stand out in a crowd.

At $385 this hobo is affordable for a bag of such quality. It’s not my favorite interpretation of the classic style, but for that price it doesn’t have to be perfect.

More Features of This Ghibli Reptile Leather Hobo

• Brass toned hardware
• Signature fabric lining
• Snap closure
• An internal zip and slip pocket
• Measures 10.24 x 9.45 x 5.12 inches
• Comes with a dust bag
• Made in Italy

Get this Ghibli Jeweled Beige Suede Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Ghibli bags on BagBunch
• The Ghibli Leather Satchel bag, a great alternative to this brown bag.
• Searching for more Ghibli bags on eBay
• Other suede hobo bags on eBay:

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