Detroit’s Mike Forbes is looking to make life a little easier for America’s homeless population with his new Ulterior Survival Bag.

The College for Creative Studies graduate developed the unusual bag, which serves as both a carryall and a pair of boots! As a carryall it provides a more durable alternative to the garbage bags homeless people often use. And when the needy aren’t on the move, they can simple turn their bag inside out and use them as a pair of boots.

As the base of the bag turned boots is made from recycled scrap rubber, they protect feet from frostbite and other common cold weather ailments. The reclaimed wool blanket lining keeps feet warm, while the extra Tyvek insulation stores heat and keeps water out. A rope crafted from recycled plastic bottles serves as a drawstring closure when it’s a bag, and a shoelace when it’s a boot. Recycled aluminum grommets anchor this clasp to the Ulterior Survival Bag.

Forbes developed the concept at college, where he was encouraged to create an item to fill a need. This clever invention certainly does that! It was recently recognized by the Industrial Designers Society of America, which named the Ulterior Survival Bag one of the finalists for its 2011 awards. Forbes recently launched a T-shirt line called Anymile Clothing to finance the production of his Ulterior Survival Bag. Hopefully it won’t be too long before these clever bags are in the hands, and on the feet, of people who need them most.

[Source: Ecouterre]

Fendi takes an uncharacteristically subtle approach to design with this Silvana shoulder bag.

I’m used to Fendi covering its handbags with logos and signature prints, a technique which is starting to feel a bit dated. This more minimalist approach is much more in vogue. The logos are still there but they’re subtle. A logo forms the buckle on the handle, and the Fendi brand is printed on the nameplate underneath the front flap.

The colorblocking is subtle too. The front and back panels are made of red leather, the side sections are made of tan cowhide, and the strap is black. Each part has quite a large block of color, and this makes the effect look timeless and less gimmicky.

There’s a lot to like here, yet the Silvana still rubs me the wrong way. The large stitches on the flap look messy, unlike Fendi’s usual work. And as they’re done in a contrasting tan color, there’s no ignoring them. It’s a small detail, but one which throws the design off for me.

And sadly, when we’re talking about this sort of money, one false move is all it takes to turn me off. For ₤1199 I want to fall in love, not just in like.

More Features of This Fendi Colorblocked Shoulder Bag

• A single 5.5 inch handle
• A detachable 18.9 inch shoulder strap
• Measures 5.5 x 8.3 x 10.2 inches

Get this Fendi Silvana Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Fendi Silvana, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Trends Online Shop eBay store to see if this Fendi bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Fendi bags on BagBunch
• The Fendi Chameleon shoulder bag, a great alternative to this colorblocked bag.
• Searching for more Fendi bags on eBay

A high school class assignment has grown into a labor of love for Detroit student Taylor Clark and her cousin, handbag designer Jenna Kator.

Taylor and her classmates at Utica Academy for International Studies are encouraged to complete 150 hours of extracurricular “action, creativity, and service” to the community, including an extended project. As part of this initiative, Clark collaborated with her cousin on a handbag for charity.

The small TLC pouch is made of a metallic gray skin accented with blue to symbolize love. The embossed circle of life decorating its center reminds us of the life the purse fights for. Crossbody and wrist straps make this petite pouch really versatile.

Clark and Kator decided to donate all proceeds from the $45 pouches to the Gift of Life Foundation, their state’s organ and tissue donation program. It’s an initiative that’s close to their families as Kator’s mother is a donor and Clark’s father received a lifesaving donation from the program.

Jenna Kator’s fashion house is far from a household name, but her charity efforts with her younger cousin haven’t gone unnoticed. The handbag has already been featured in Style Line Magazine.

This cute TLC charity pouch is available from Taylor Clark’s Passion for Fashion website.

[Source: CBS Detroit]

Ever since I was small, I’ve loved purple. My mother insisted I’d tire of the color, yet even as a thirtysomething the sight of this rich regal hue makes me weak at the knees. Radley’s used the color to great effect in its Whitmore Punch hobo.

It has a little slouch around the top, but the Whitmore Punch has more structure than we’d expect of a hobo. That gives this purse the refinery that we’d expect of British fashion. But it’s not all about keeping a stiff upper lip. Radley’s punched its famous Scotch terrier into the purple leather, creating embossed shapes and adorable holes which let the pink material underneath shine through.

We can always rely on Radley bags to work for us, and the Whitmore Punch is exception. It’s one of Radley’s mid-sized creations, which makes it perfect in my book. It’ll hold everything we really need without tempting us to carry items that will only weigh us down. The trio of interior pockets doesn’t exceed our expectations, but they are all we really need to keep our essentials in order.

Considering its quality and adorable style, I think the Whitmore Punch is a bargain at a little more than $250.

More Features of This Radley Perforated Hobo

• Magnetic fastening
• A Scotch terrier hangtag
• Measures 14.6 x 12.6 x 5.1 inches

Get this Radley Whitmore Punch Hobo Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Radley bags on BagBunch
• The Radley Whitmore Punch duffel bag, a great alternative to this hobo bag.
• Searching for more Radley bags on eBay
• Other perforated hobo bags on eBay:

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Scottish e-tailer Firefly Accessories is showing its social conscience with the addition of new fair trade accessories.

Firefly Accessories’ fair trade goodies are handcrafted from artisans in Cambodia. These workers, who are members of the World Fair Trade Organization, create silk handbags, toiletry purses, jewelry rolls and scarves. The World Fair Trade Organization ensures its members work in suitable conditions and receive adequate compensation for their efforts.

I’m sure fashion fans will enjoy the vibrant colors and affordable prices of these handcrafted fair trade goodies. But personally, it raises questions for me about the origins of the rest of Firefly Accessories’ items. Since 2010 the company has been bringing fashion fans unique accessories from Cambodia and Vietnam. However not every item is certified as fair trade.

We can’t be sure that the other items are made by artisans working in substandard conditions, but we can’t be sure that they’re not. Personally I’d like to see Firefly Accessories do a complete overhaul and ensure every product it sells is fair trade certified. Otherwise this fair trade line simply seems like tokenism. Until then though, fashion lovers can show their support for the new line and only indulge in the fair trade products.

How important are fair trade practices to your fashion choices?

[Source: PR Web]

Fair Trade Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Fair Trade, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Reach for the shades and celebrate your girly side with this shocking Clerkenwell Shoulder Bag from Alexander McQueen’s McQ line.

There’s certainly no ignoring this purse. Its saturated pink hue doesn’t just make a statement; it screams one! That color is bound to divide opinion, but personally I think it’s needed to liven up this simply designed purse. In bone the Clerkenwell simply fades into the background. That pale hue might be easier to incorporate into your wardrobe, but will anyone notice it?

This Clerkenwell might look like it doesn’t take life too seriously, but it works hard to serve us. It’s generously sized but not unwieldy, and well-appointed with a pair of internal zip pockets. Personally I can’t see the point in the ultra short top handle as it’s too tiny to be of much use. At least Alexander McQueen has also included a long strap for carrying ease.

As it comes from the McQ line, rather than Alexander McQueen’s signature range, the Clerkenwell is relatively affordable at $750. Is there a place for it in your closet?

More Features of This Alexander McQueen McQ Pink Shoulder Bag

• Made of sheepskin
• Magnetic closure
• Fully lined interior
• A top handle with a 2 inch drop
• A shoulder strap with a 14 inch drop
• Measures 7.5 x 12 x 3 inches

Get this Alexander McQueen Clerkenwell Handbag:

• Available to buy at Shopbop (limited stock in bone)
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Alexander McQueen Clerkenwell, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Alexander McQueen bags on BagBunch
• The Alexander McQueen Neon Panel clutch bag, a great alternative to this pink bag.
• Searching for more Alexander McQueen bags on eBay

Franco Sarto delivers a cute cross-body bag for less with the Dandy.

A real life dandy puts on airs and graces and is overly concerned by his appearance, and this cross-body bag shares these traits. Its PVC body does its best leather impersonation, and it almost pulls it off in this pewter hue. I rarely favor metallic hues, but in pewter the shine that comes from affordable synthetics seems natural. The black one might be easier to incorporate into your wardrobe, but it appears cheaper than its shiny peer.

The Dandy’s flap over design seems like a messenger bag’s more grown up sibling. Its curved lines are modern, perhaps even futuristic, and its gleaming metal buckle is a lovely foil to the metallic leather.

The Dandy is slim but it should hold everything you need to carry with some careful packing. There are a few pockets inside, and another one hiding underneath that flap. I also like the zippered pocket on the back. It’s easy to access, but as it sits against our body it’s perfect for hiding valuables.

The Dandy’s far from the most breathtaking cross-body on the market, but at just $79 it represents great value.

More Features of This Franco Santo Flap Cross-Body Bag

• Snap closure
• Animal print fabric lining
• An interior key clip
• Measures 9 x 9 x 1.8 inches

Get this Franco Sarto Dandy Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the eBags eBay store to see if this Franco Sarto bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More cross-body bags on BagBunch
• The Franco Sarto Dandy satchel bag, a great alternative to this cross-body bag.
• Searching for more Franco Sarto bags on eBay
• Other Franco Sarto Dandy bags on eBay:

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Lowell Harder is returning to Radley, the brand she created in 1998. Harder’s been appointed Radley’s non-executive director and consultant. These are vital roles as the British fashion house looks to reposition itself as a more upmarket brand.

Harder’s reappointment follows the return of the British label’s former chief executive Roger Best last month. He emerged from retirement to take on the positions of chairman and interim chief executive.

Best said he was excited to see Harder return, as “she has a knowledge of the brand and leather and handbags that is second to none. She and I both wanted to come back and get Radley back in the right direction.“

While the reappointments of some of Radley’s pioneers seem like a return to the label’s roots, the company is quick to point out that it’s looking to the future. It’s pulling its collection from Debenhams stores from this fall, and instead focusing on high end stores like House of Fraser and John Lewis, premium independent boutiques, and its own outlets.

Do you think Radley’s taking the right steps to reintroduce some of its key figures, or do you think Best and Harder will keep the British label stuck in the past?

[Source: Drapers]

Radley Purses on eBay

[phpbay]Radley, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

The combination of matte leather and gleaming metal mesh helps this Valerie box clutch from Franchi shine.

I’ve often admired the subtle contrast of black on black. It works so well on the Valerie, with the metal mesh adding a little glitz and the matte leather grounding the design. The clever use of materials means the Valerie would look just as good with jeans as it does with an evening gown. And since its black, it’s a breeze to pair with any outfit.

The Valerie is really petite though, so you’ll need to know how to travel light if you hope to make the day to night transition. Frankly you’ll be lucky to fit more than some cash, your keys, a lipstick, and a slim cell phone inside. And if you don’t want to use the strap, you’ll have to make room inside for that too! It’s a shame the chain’s not detachable, as the interior really doesn’t need extra clutter, but at least Franchi’s offered a hands-free carrying option.

At $156.67 the Valerie is on the expensive side, but it’s so versatile that it’s probably worth indulging in.

More Features of This Franchi Metal Mesh Panel Clutch

• Gemstone embellished push-lock clasp
• Satin line interior
• An interior slip pocket
• A chain strap with a 22 inch drop
• Measures 6 x 1.5 x 4 inches

Get this Franchi Valerie Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Franchi Valerie, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Franchi bags on BagBunch
• The Franchi Sai bag, a great alternative to this box clutch bag.
• Searching for more Franchi bags on eBay

Hermes has created four mini bags for fashionistas with more money than sense. At more than a million dollars a piece, these small purses take luxury to the next level.

The ultra elite purses are the result of Hermes’ recent collaboration with jewelry and shoe king Pierre Hardy. So exactly why do such small purses cost so much dough?

They’re crafted from exotic skins and then embellished with authentic gold hardware (no plating here girls) and a healthy smattering of diamonds. Amongst the bags in the mini collection are a rose-gold crocodile Kelly decorated with 1,160 diamonds, and another small purse made with intertwining chains and a whopping 11, 000 diamonds.

I can’t fathom anyone spending that sort of money on a handbag, let alone one that isn’t even large enough to hold the basics. Although I suppose anyone who can afford to spend more than many houses on an accessory probably has an entourage of people to carry their essentials!

It seems that even Pierre Thomas, Hermes’ chief executive officer, knows these purses are ridiculous. When The Financial Times asked him who’d buy the bags, he answered “I have no idea. But maybe they will have two bodyguards!“

Even if money was no object, would you be tempted by these opulent Hermes accessories?

[Source: Financial Times]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]Hermes, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]