Francesco Biasia’s Sylvie sees the brand jazz up the traditional tote bag with a splash of crocodile scales.

The scales stamped onto the bright blue toned calfskin are really what make this tote special. I’ve never seen a blue crocodile before, but the stamping is so realistic I’d almost imagine this was the real deal. It doesn’t have that same nubbly texture we’d see on an authentic croc bag, but for $407 I think this stamped leather is more than passable.

The Sylvie has a cut out handle, but this empty space is too small to easily accommodate fingers. Personally I’d treat it as an unexpected aesthetic element and add the long shoulder strap. Not that this carrying option is without flaws. It’s much skinnier than I’d like, especially for a bag of this size. If you’re filling the Sylvie to capacity expect sore shoulders at the end of the day!

At least its interior features are up to the challenge, with a single zip pocket and pair of open slips helping us keep our essential items in order. A zippered closure makes sure all of those items stay just where you left them.

This Francesco Biasia bag isn’t as functional as I expect a tote to be, but it is lovely to look at and relatively reasonably priced. Those two factors might just help convince you it’s worth putting up with a little inconvenience.

More Features of This Francesco Biasia Croc Tote Bag

• Gold-toned hardware
• Fabric lined interior
• A long shoulder strap with a 20 inch drop
• Measures 14.17 x 14.57 x 2.36 inches

Get this Francesco Biasia Sylvie Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Francesco Biasia Sylvie tote, 2, “”, 328[/phpbay]

• Check the Diva Collection 2009 eBay store to see if this Francesco Biasia bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Francesco Biasia bags on BagBunch
• The Elaine Turner Tammy tote bag, a great alternative to this croc-embossed bag.
• Searching for more Francesco Biasia bags on eBay

U2 frontman Bono and his wife Ali Hewson are the faces of the latest Louis Vuitton Core Values campaign. They are shot against a majestic South African backdrop.

Annie Leibovitz shot the advertisement which is groundbreaking in more ways than one. It’s the first time Bono has appeared in a commercial without his musical bandmates, and with the duo wearing their own ethical fashion label Edun it’s the first time another brand has graced the ads. It’s not a complete departure though, as Louis Vuitton’s parent company LVMH has a 49% stake in Edun.

I love Ali Hewson’s handbag, which is actually a joint collaboration between Edun and Louis Vuitton. It is the French fashion house’s first purse to be made in Africa, and proceeds from its sales benefit TechnoServe and the Conservation Cotton Initiative.

The ever-altruistic Hewsons also donated their fees to TechnoServe, the Conservation Cotton Initiative, and Chernobyl Children’s Project International.

I love this shift to fashion with a conscience. Seeing major players like Louis Vuitton jumping on board is only further evidence that the tide is turning.

[Source: Luxist]

Louis Vuitton Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Louis Vuitton, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

The fall runways were replete with utilitarian, military-inspired looks balanced out with small feminine details. This Burberry Prorsum Callaway bag is one of those structured, but still ladylike accessories. It’s charming without being precious, and practical without being boring, but honestly, I think it’s a little boring considering the Prorsum line’s usually cutting edge aesthetic.

The dark burgundy leather goes well with fall’s rich and darkly-hued palette. The color is purple-y enough to provide a touch of color, but subtle enough to remain a neutral. The small, pintucked pleating gives the bag volume and charm.

The shape of the Callaway is something like a hobo, only with a little less slouch and a lot more structure. The handle of the bag has a fabulous designer-stamped gold hardware embellishment. It also has a second, simple, shoulder strap, which, frankly, I don’t get. It’s the same length as the other strap, and not quite wide enough to replace it. It just doesn’t seem like a usable designer feature, which is fine because it’s removable.

Overall, the Callway is an interesting bag, but not quite interesting enough to warrant its exorbitant $1,895 price tag.

More Features Of The Burberry Prorsum Callaway Large Pleated Bag

• 20″ x 18″ x 3″  size
• 6″ handle drop
• Fully lined in black satin

Get this Burberry Prorsum Callaway Pleated Bag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Burberry bags on BagBunch
• The Burberry Lizzie Handbag, a smaller, edgier alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Burberry handbags items on eBay
• Other burgundy leather hobos on eBay:
  [phpbay]burgundy leather hobo, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Fossil livens up a basic east/west bag with a garden of colorful blooms in the Sutter.

Take away the pretty print and this is a fairly boring bag. Its tan leather is of excellent quality, but the color and shape really do blend into the background. The colorful floral is what saves it for me. The fluorescent tones and simple lines remind me of the kind of doodlings I did on my high school exercise books. There’s something so refreshing and innocent about the pattern which really reinvents our idea of florals.

I’m expecting just as many people to dismiss the pattern as childish, but this isn’t intended to be a sleek, sophisticated bag. It’s an everyday accessory, ready to add a little fun to your favorite jeans and tee combo or casual summer dress.

It’s not as large as many everyday bags, but personally I think that’s a good thing. It’s got room to handle the things you need, but it won’t tempt you to pack the extras that will weigh you down. The exterior zip and slip pockets are complemented by a handful of extra organizational compartments inside.

The Sutter is well priced for a casually styled bag of this quality at $128.

More Features of This Fossil Floral Top Zip Bag

• Zip top closure
• A zip, cell, and PDA pocket inside
• Measures 13 x 2 x 9 inches

Get this Fossil Sutter Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Fossil Sutter multi top zip, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Fossil bags on BagBunch
• The Fossil Sutter cross-body bag, a great alternative to this east/west bag.
• Searching for more Fossil bags on eBay

Black velvet is having a major comeback right now. Not that it ever goes completely out of style, but a lot of us kind of OD’ed on it in the 90’s and haven’t thought about it much since. This Eugenia clutch by Christian Louboutin uses the fabric in a masterful and elegant way.

All velvets are not created equal. This one has a wonderfully short nap and a very subtle sheen. It is almost completely matte, which really works well against the shinier black tassel, which seems so natural to the Eugenia that it almost seems to have sprouted out of it.

The soft shape of the Eugenia is a relief from all the hard clutches I’ve seen lately. There’s something impeccably feminine about the drapy front pleating and almost rollup design. This clutch would be a fabulous addition to a sparkly evening ensemble, or even something really rock-n-roll, like a black leather dress.

I am crazy about the design of the Eugenia, but I’m not really okay with the price. At $895, it’s just a little too expensive, I think. But it is terribly beautiful, and timeless, so if you happen to have the extra money, it’s definitely worth a look.

More Features Of The Christian Louboutin Eugenia Clutch

• 11″ x 4″ x 3″” size
• Lined in signature red twill
• Magnetic stud fastening

Get this Christian Louboutin Eugenia Clutch:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Christian Louboutin bags on BagBunch
• The Christian Louboutin Pillow Clutch, a sweet alternative to this bag.
• Searching for more Christian Louboutin items on eBay
• Other black velvet clutches on eBay:
• [phpbay]black velvet clutch, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Forzieri helps us hang onto summer for a little longer with its fun Seastar Hobo. But has the brand does enough to really inspire us?

It might be called a hobo, but this bag is a lot sleeker than the slouchy bohemian styled purses the name typically suggests. It has clean lines and a structured finish which really gives the white Italian leather an upper crust, country club feel. Refusing to be totally stiff though, Forzieri adds a playful pink starfish motif to the front flap.

We’ve seen other brands add these kind of beach accents to their bag, but rarely with the sophistication shown here. It’s fun, but not frivolous. It adds a dash of whimsy, but it never undermines the sophistication of the design. But I just wonder whether it has too much to do.

After all, strip it away and this bag is pretty ordinary. You couldn’t fault its looks, but you’d never rave about them either. The interior too is fairly unremarkable. There’s enough space, and the pair of pockets do the job, but there’s nothing to really excite us either.

So are good quality leather and a pink starfish enough to convince you to spend $278 on this Forzieri bag? I’ll let you be the judge!

More Features of This Forzieri Starfish Hobo

• Gold-tone metal hardware
• Snap closure
• White fabric lined interior
• An adjustable shoulder strap
• Measures 10.63 x 6.1 x 1.18 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Forzieri Seastar Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Forzieri bags on BagBunch
• The Mary Frances Sea World clutch bag, a great alternative to this sea-inspired bag.
• The Forzieri website
• Other starfish bags on eBay:

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

I can’t imagine loading up my Mini for a road trip, but if you’d happily squeeze yourself into the small car for a getaway you might be interested in the marque’s new luggage collections. Mini has released three travel bag lines: Shout, Black Jack, and Rooftop.

The Rooftop range features two rolling hard-shell cases. The Cabin Trolley features a telescoping handle and two carry handles, an integrated lock, and a logo plate. The main compartment is fitted with easy-packing belts, two side pockets, and a net divider. The Pilot is smaller but well equipped, with compartments for arranging clothes, gadgets, and documents, and enough space for a laptop case. Both are available in a Union Jack pattern or a racing car inspired black and white striped print.

It shouldn’t be surprising to hear the Black Jack collection features a black-on-black Union Jack design. This larger range features seven different bags from large trolley and duffel bags to wallets and toiletries purses.

Rounding out the selection is the Shout, a travel collection which transports us back to Austin Powers’ sixties. These bags feature large vintage prints of the original Mini cars alongside the playful slogan “Swinging London.”

You’ll find all the new travel bags at the Mini online store and selected dealerships next month.

[Source: Luxist]

Union Jack Bags on eBay

[phpbay]union jack, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Fontanelli shows us that a uniquely shaped handbag doesn’t have to look kitschy with this romantic Heart bag.

I’ve seen many heart shaped bags in my time, but none quite as elegant as this. The clean lines and lack of embellishment definitely help its cause. There are only a few seams to break up the glossy patent leather. This is of the finest quality, and gorgeous in scarlet red.

Of course, no matter how elegantly it’s executed many girls won’t want to wear a heart on their shoulder. But those that do will be rewarded by a surprisingly well designed bag. It’s not the most spacious bag on the market, but its structured shape makes the most of the room it does have. We also have the choice of dual handles or a detachable shoulder strap when we’re on the go.

This is a bag that’s sure to divide fashion fans. Some may argue that $369 is too much to spend on a novelty, while others will think it’s perfectly reasonable for such a distinctive accessory.

More Features of This Fontanelli Italian Leather Handbag

• Silver-toned hardware
• Zip top closure
• Measures 9.45 x 7.48 inches
• Made in Italy

Get this Fontanelli Heart Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Fontanelli bags on BagBunch
• The Whiting & Davis Metal Heart clutch bag, a great alternative to this heart shaped bag.
• Searching for more Fontanelli bags on eBay
• Other heart bags on eBay:

[phpbay]heart, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Instinctive makes recycled bags for green parents and their kids too. The brand’s new line of eco-friendly accessories are made entirely from recycled polyester, hardware, and webbing.

For parents there’s the Diaper Backpack, a much more user-friendly option than the traditional shoulder bags. While they slip down your arms as you struggle with little ones, the backpack leaves both hands free when you need them most! It’s equipped with insulated bottle holders, a padded change mat, and a non-toxic waterproof coating to protect the fabric from those inevitable juice spills.

Kids can look just like their mom carrying the smaller Trunk Pack. It’s essentially a miniature backpack, with plenty of space for carrying lunch and school supplies to kindergarten. It’s also got ergonomic shoulder straps to make the pack comfortable on the walk to class.

As part of its commitment to the environment, Instinctive offers a lifetime takeback guarantee. If your bag is damaged, or if you’ve simply grown tired of it, you can return it. Depending on its condition they’ll give it to a child in need, repair it, or recycle it. In return, you’ll get a 10% discount on your next Instinctive purchase. The label also donates up to 5% of every sale to The WILD Foundation, a non-profit group which protects and sustains wild nature through education and other community programs.

The Instinctive bags are priced between $15.99 and $54.99 from the Instinctive online store.

[Source: Inhabitots]

Recycled Polyester Bags on eBay

[phpbay]recycled polyester, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Foley + Corinna’s trademark urban aesthetic is delivered in a practical package in this Decker Shoulder Bag.

At first glance it seems like so many shoulder bags. Sure there are three practical pockets and the leather is lovely, but the simple shape and lack of real design flair isn’t like to turn heads. But there’s more to the Decker than meets the eye.

Attach the longer cross-body strap and fold the bag over in two and you’ve got a whole new look. It’s a little more casual when worn this way, which is perfect for days running errands or hitting the mall.

With three zippered pockets outside, you might assume that Foley + Corinna would leave things there. But you’d be wrong. The top zippered compartment is remarkably well appointed, with its own zippered pocket and handful of open pouches for carrying your gadgets. I’m not sure how helpful these slip pockets would be when the bag’s folded though. Thank goodness for the zippered closure that keeps everything safely stashed inside!

The versatile styling of this bag makes it’s $395 price tag seem even more reasonable. Get it in black, blonde, blonde on black, or this striking cherry red shade.

More Features of This Foley + Corinna Fold-Over Shoulder Bag

• Snap closure
• Twill lined interior
• A shoulder strap with a 10 inch drop
• An adjustable cross-body strap with a 12-22 inch drop
• Measures 16.5 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches
• Made in China

Get this Foley + Corinna Decker Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Foley Corinna Decker, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the SoHo Cellar eBay store to see if this Foley + Corinna bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Foley + Corinna bags on BagBunch
• The metallic Foley + Corinna Decker bag, a great alternative to this matte bag.
• Searching for more Foley + Corinna bags on eBay