Herschel Supply goes back to basics with this Settlement Backpack.

Backpacks really don’t get much simpler than this. Its domed top and clean, minimalist design are hallmarks of the style. Herschel Supply hasn’t worried about fashion forward features, but that should see this design endure.

The range of colors brings a bit of individuality to the design. I particularly like this colorblocked variety, with its navy blue base and pale khaki body. There are several matte versions, including classic black, blue, and red, but I think this colorblocked look it much more interesting.

I can’t imagine anyone’s going to be the Settlement for its looks though, so it’s a good thing Herschel Supply have made this bag smart. I particularly like the snap keyring hidden inside the front pocket, and the reinforced headphone hole for music on the go. These little extras complement the features we might expect, like padded shoulder straps and a spacious main compartment.

By choosing polyester Herschel Supply’s kept the Settlement’s price down to just $69.95. That’s not a lot to spend on a backpack whose style will endure for several seasons.

More Features of This Herschel Supply Basic Backpack

• Made of polyester
• Custom nylon lined interior
• Padded back panel
• Measures 17 x 13 x 5.5 inches
• Comes with a one-year warranty

Get this Herschel Supply Settlement Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Herschel Supply Settlement, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Newbury Comics eBay store to see if this Herschel Supply bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More backpack bags on BagBunch
• The Herschel Supply Pop Quiz bag, a great alternative to this backpack bag.
• Searching for more Herschel Supply bags on eBay

The term sweat shop conjures images of children slaving away under poor conditions in third-world countries. But if 30 Alexander Wang employees are to be believed, sweat shops are operating right here in New York City.

The workers are suing Alexander Wang for violating New York State labor laws with his Chinatown production premises. The $450 million lawsuit, lodged with the Queens County Supreme Court, alleges the designer didn’t pay minimum wages or offer adequate compensation for overtime. They also claim they were required to work 16-hour days with 15 others in a hot, windowless room measuring just 200 square feet. The plaintiffs are demanding $50 million for each of the nine cited charges.

Unsurprisingly Wang’s representatives deny there’s any truth to the explosive claims, and say the company takes its responsibility to comply with labor laws seriously.

At this point it’s impossible to say whether the workers have a case, or whether it’s simply a matter of sour grapes. The lead plaintiff Wenyu Lu was fired in February, allegedly for complaining about the poor working conditions and demanding compensation for illnesses he developed on the job. But that’s the line of his lawyer, so it’s impossible to know whether other factors were really behind his dismissal.

It’ll be interesting to see how this one pans out, but the bad press can’t be doing Alexander Wang’s business any favors.

[Source: Ecouterre]
[Image Source: Ed Kavishe/Wikipedia Commons]

Alexander Wang Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Alexander Wang, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Alexander Wang brings a bit of luxury to our everyday with this Prisma Wallet.

Furry calf hair might be fashionable, but I’m not sure it really adds much to this design, except some serious dollars. With its black spots it looks like Alexander Wang’s slaughtered the nearest cow or some other barnyard friend in the name of fashion. I think the silver metal corners would have looked much sleeker on a traditional leather or perhaps even an exotic skin. However I’m sure anyone that adores calf hair will jump at the chance to add it to their everyday.

Because at its heart, the Prisma is a fairly practical wallet despite its small stature. Serious shoppers may want for more than the five card slots, but the open bill pocket and snap fastening section for coins are all smart inclusions. The black leather lining also makes the Prisma feel especially opulent.

We’re not getting a lot of wallet for our ₤260, but authentic calf hair accessories never come cheaply, especially when they have a designer name attached. It might not represent great value, but its luxury materials should still sway some fashion fans.

More Features of This Alexander Wang Hair Calf Wallet

• Silver zip fastening
• Measures 5 x 5 x 1 inches

Get this Alexander Wang Prisma Handbag:

• Available to buy at Net-A-Porter
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Alexander Wang Prisma, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Simonesato eBay store to see if this Alexander Wang bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Alexander Wang bags on BagBunch
• The D&G Lily Twist bag, a great alternative to this haircalf wallet.
• Searching for more Alexander Wang bags on eBay

We all know Nicole Richie knows a thing or two about red carpets, so it’s no surprise that the clutch purses from her House of Harlow 1960 always shine. We get the chance to see her working with a larger canvas on this Jolie Messenger.

While its name might be inspired by a Hollywood screen starlet, the Jolie is far away from black tie galas and soirees. Its spotted ponyhair gives it a real Western feel. I’ve never been the greatest fan of this furry skin, but it enhances this bag’s rodeo vibe.

The Jolie isn’t built like any messenger I know. While it has the style’s relaxed charm, it’s missing the distinctive flap. Perhaps we’re best thinking of it as a bag which captures the messenger’s essence, rather than one which mimics its familiar styling.

I’m not as wowed by the Jolie as Nicole Richie’s pretty clutch purses, but it has several impressive elements. And for a relatively affordable $375, that’s perhaps the best we can hope for.

More Features of This Nicole Richie Ponyhair Messenger

• Top zip closure
• Oversized tassel accent
• Fully lined interior
• A cross-body strap with a 22 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 12 x 1 inches

Get this House of Harlow 1960 Jolie Handbag:

• Available to buy at House of Harlow 1960
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More House of Harlow 1960 bags on BagBunch
• The Stuart Weitzman Cortes Serengheti Post Hobo bag, a great alternative to this ponyhair bag.
• Searching for more House of Harlow 1960 bags on eBay
• Other ponyhair messenger bags on eBay:

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Briggs & Riley has given its popular Baseline range a makeover to help travelers beat excess baggage fees.

The New Baseline bags are large enough to hold everything you need for a week long getaway, but can shrink to fit inside a jam-packed overhead locker. The New Baseline rejects the zippered expansion methods of old. It actually compresses to fit around your cargo, so it’s as big or as small as you need it to be.

While you’re packing the bag you simply release a latch to expand it to its maximum capacity. Then once you’re done you just zip the bag shut and push it down, marvelling as it molds to what’s inside. It’s certainly more modern than sitting on your case to close it!

The clever design means you can pack more in one case, saving yourself significant baggage charges. You’ll also have the extra space you need to take some souvenirs home for your nearest and dearest.

As with all Briggs & Riley bags, the company stands by its New Baseline cases and offers an unconditional lifetime performance warranty with each. You’ll find them in stores and at the Briggs & Riley website from August of this year.

[Source: MarketWatch]
[Image Source: Christian K/Stock.xchng]

Briggs & Riley Travel Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Briggs Riley, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Once I found Jeffrey Campbell’s brightly colored fringe covered purses quirky and creative. However I’m starting to feel like I’ve seen it all before.

I wasn’t impressed by the combination of burlap and leather on the Hoffman, and I’m similarly unmoved this time around. Yes it’s unusual, but so what? Sticking some leather on a potato sack doesn’t do either material any favors in my book. And while the flurry of blue fringe makes a statement, I’m still trying to work out exactly what Jeffrey Campbell is trying to say.

Perhaps rather than dwelling on the aesthetics I’m best looking at what comes inside. The Balagia is a spacious bag, although as it’s very slender you’ll need to pack it carefully to fit all your essentials inside. I appreciate the practical collection of pockets however, and the easy to carry cross-body strap. I can’t understand why it’s detachable though, as the Balagia seems far too large to carry as a clutch.

I’m starting to tire of Jeffrey Campbell’s distinctive accessories. By recycling the same design elements what was once daring is starting to feel tired. The Balagia might appeal to the designer’s fans, but I’m craving more ingenuity here.

More Features of This Jeffrey Campbell Burlap Bag

• Contrast lining
• Zip on main closure
• Measures 13 x 14 x 1 inches

Get this Jeffrey Campbell Balagia Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Karmaloop eBay store to see if this Jeffrey Campbell bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Jeffrey Campbell bags on BagBunch
• The Jeffrey Campbell Hoffman bag, a great alternative to this burlap bag.
• Searching for more Jeffrey Campbell bags on eBay
• Other fringed cross-body bags on eBay:

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Baggallini bags, or baggs as the Portland label likes to call them, pride themselves on practicality. However their styling has always left a bit to be desired. However the accessories company is looking to change its image, and its enlisted American Rebel Public Relations to help with the revamp.

Baggallini’s new motto is “Order is Beautiful,” a slogan which reminds us we’ll see functional features we love from the label delivered with a bit more fashion-forward flair. The new bags feature leather trim in selected models, and fun new jewel tones including amber, emerald, garnet, and auburn.

Baggallini’s senior manager of marketing, Rachel Iannarino, promises this will be “a great year” for her company.

“We are excited to get the message out about our new fashion-forward designs as style coupled with function has become increasingly important to our handbag customer.“

It seems American Rebel Public Relations is just as keen to help Baggallini spread the word.

“We are thrilled to be working with Baggallini,” explained the company’s chief executive officer Chris Detert. “Getting to see the redesign of the brand over the past few months has been very inspiring. Between Baggallini’s amazing new aesthetic and our relationships within the fashion and Hollywood communities, we are certain that we can help elevate Baggallini to a whole new level.“

The new Baggallini bags will hit stores in the middle of the year. Are you excited to see the brand taking stylish new steps forward?

[Source: PR.com]
[Image Source: Baggallini website]

Baggallini Bags on eBay

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

With its unusually textured yellow leather, there’s no ignoring the Emeraude Plage Satchel from Joy Gryson’s Olivia Harris line.

The leather has a bubbly finish which is fresh and youthful. It seems inspired by the pebbled leather we’re all familiar with, but the treatment is much more exaggerated and playful. And nothing says fun quite like this cheerful yellow hue, does it?

I’m not sure that tan leather is the best complement for this sunny color, but it roots the Emeraude Plage in tradition. While I’m not convinced by the color combo, at least these conservative accents should ensure this satchel won’t date.

The pretty yellow color is perfect for the season, but a purse so practical never falls out of favor. It’s spacious with plenty of pockets inside and out. Its flat handles should fit snuggly on your shoulder, but there’s also a longer cross-body strap for busy days. This attachable strap could stand to be wider though; it’s bound to tug at our shoulder if the Emeraude Plage is full.

However it’s hard to get too critical for the money. The Emeraude Plage satchel is made from such high quality materials that its $475 price tag seems like chump change.

More Features of This Olivia Harris by Joy Gryson Yellow Satchel

• Secure top-zip closure
• Nylon lined interior
• Protective metal feet on the base
• Dual handles with a 6 inch drop
• A detachable strap with a 24 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 6 x 8.75 inches

Get this Olivia Harris by Joy Gryson Emeraude Plage Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Shop Savoy Truffle eBay store to see if this Joy Gryson bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Joy Gryson bags on BagBunch
• The Jpy Gryson Textured Zipper Frame bag, a great alternative to this yellow leather bag.
• Searching for more Joy Gryson bags on eBay
• Other Joy Gryson Emeraude Plage bags on eBay:

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Sherpani delivers a fun alternative to boring black travel bags with its Solstice Wheeled Suitcase.

Sherpani’s given its travel bag a whimsical flair with a flourish of flowers and pretty ice blue panels. As with all Sherpani bags it’s made from 67% recycled fabric and 30% recycled aluminum. That’s still not ideal, but it’s more responsible than most travel bags.

But this isn’t merely some flower covered suitcase for the hippie set. The Solstice has all the features you’d hope to find in a travel bag. Its handle is retractable, the wheels travel smoothly, and a mesh divider helps keep your cargo organized inside the spacious main compartment.

It’s not perfect though. The velcro loop which holds the duffel handles together sounds good in theory, but it’s not long or strong enough to secure the straps. The bag also isn’t very steady on its feet and seems to topple over at the slightly touch.

But at $179.95, we expect a few compromises. That’s pretty cheap for a suitcase, especially one with such a unique sense of style. I’m sure girly girls will swallow the Solstice’s flaws and enjoy its pretty good looks!

More Features of This Sherpani Floral Travel Bag

• High rebound polyester wheels
• Reinforced high ware protections
• Signature floral lining
• Measures 8.5 x 20.2 x 13.6 inches

Get this Sherpani Solstice Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Sherpani Solstice, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Boulder Bumper Crop eBay store to see if this Sherpani bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Sherpani bags on BagBunch
• The Sherpani Hemisphere bag, a great alternative to this travel bag.
• Searching for more Sherpani bags on eBay

Indian fashion designer Mrugesh Parmar might not make the best handbags, but it seems he might make the biggest. The 27-year-old has been recognized by the Limca Book of World Records for creating the world’s largest fabric handbag, and a Guinness World Record is all but a formality.

While Guinness World Records has recognized his feat and awarded him a personal identification number only given to record holders, he won’t receive his certificate of achievement until next month.

The record-breaking bag measures 26.2 feet long and 32.8 feet wide. Its handle is a whopping 16.4 feet in length. An impressive 580.7 feet of fabric went into the monster handbag, but environmentalists need not worry about waste. Parmar actually used offcuts from jute dresses.

Parmar stole the record from a Romanian designer. He was inspired to create the enormous purse as he’s also been fascinated by records. This isn’t his first either; he also has an entry in the Limca Book of World Records for stitching the most buttons on a single shirt.

Parmar intends to donate the handbag to a charity who can break it down and make dresses for girls in needs. What a great way to end the saga of this supersized carryall!

[Source: Times of India]
[Image Source: Guinness World Records Logo]