It’s official. Britney Spears has regained her once-fading pop princess icon status. The rumored Candie’s ad campaign featuring the singer have surfaced on the Internet and are spreading like wildfire.

The company’s products, now available only at Kohl’s stores, are displayed in the ads in a cute, overly pink, yet sometimes provocative manner. Would you expect anything less from Britney? They almost seem to purposely highlight the two-sided nature of her … sometimes sugary sweet and deceptively innocent while completely risque at other times.

Spears has obviously been hitting the gym hard these days. Of course, I would expect some amount of airbrushing in any advertisement (sad fact but true). However, I’d imagine there was merely some smoothing out of these images since she’s back on tour singing and dancing, which requires tons of stamina.

I’m not sure I’m buying the company’s reason for choosing the singer because of her compelling “role model” status for the typical Candie’s market. Perhaps she’s made a career comeback but has she really regained an appearance of innocence in the public’s eyes? My guess is probably not.

However, the images from the ads are vibrant, youthful, and attractive, which are things I do associate with Britney Spears once again. See more of the singer-turned-Candie’s-model and even a television commercial for the campaign here at Style Frizz.

[Source: Style Frizz]

Candie’s Handbags on eBay

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Payless ShoeSource has launched a new eco-friendly range of shoes, handbags, jewelry, and socks.

The green zoe&zac line is created using organic cotton and linen, recycled rubber, and water-soluble glues. In keeping with Payless’ reputation for bargain buys, all products in the collection are priced under $30.

I’ve fallen for this cute Lemongrass Clutch made from organic cotton. Its bold tribal design is printed with water-based ink and the handle is made from natural rattan wood.

Parent company Collective Brands Inc. plans to donate $1 for every Zac & Zoe item sold until May 4, and every reusable shopping bag sold this year, to The Nature Conservancy. The conservation group will use the funds to rebuild Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Payless hopes to raise at least $100, 000 for the cause.

Zoe&zac handbags and more are available now online and in Payless stores across the United States.

[Source: Payless]

Organic Cotton Handbags on eBay

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It surprises me how much the Skylar Tote’s shape reminds me of a few other Treesje bags like the Cypress and the Vienna. However, the decorative details on the different handbags are what separate the styles from each other, and the Skylar is no exception here.

Simple but bold features are common to most Treesje items, and this look might be my favorite for the brand. All at once, it’s chic and uncluttered yet kind of modern and slightly retro. I’m not sure how one simple bag manages to pack all of those looks into one, yet I can’t help but see them all in the Skylar.

The relaxed, slouchy silhouette is great for everyday accessorizing. Contrasting the casualness are the large metal plaques that shine from the front of the tote and catch your eye. It makes me curious to see how dazzling it would look in the sunlight. The detail is similar to the increasingly popular studded detail but unique in its octagonal shape.

The bottom panel of the Skylar is small, which makes me think that it could easily fall over when set down. However, the unstructured leather pleats around the bag probably increase that chance anyway. Like most totes, this Treesje bag has an ample interior and several pockets. An attached key fob inside is a nice, practical, and somewhat unexpected addition.

The Skylar’s retail price tag of $638 seems a bit high to me. But given the superior quality of leather that Treesje always uses and the versatility of this black handbag, it’s really not a bad deal if you’ve got the spare change.

More Features of the Skylar Tote

• 18.5 x 12 x 7 inches
• Double straps with 8 inch drop
• Lined interior

Treesje Handbags on eBay

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Also See

• Click here to find this modern retro Treesje Skylar Tote on Amazon
• Click here to search more Treesje handbags on eBay

Timmy Woods has toned down her trademark outrageous style to create this classic floral tote bag.

Timmy has made a name for herself with weird and wonderful handbags, characterized by their bring colors and irreverent sense of humor. Curiously that’s been stripped away here; leaving us with the kind of handbag I can imagine my grandma carrying.

But if you have a taste for the traditional, or you just want to get into the spring season, you’ll probably love this floral fabric tote. The embroidery is stunning, and the pink and white blooms are elegant and feminine. It’s just not my cup of chai.

But I really appreciate the design, which combines plenty of space with practical style. The satiny lined interior features a zip pocket and two handle slip pouches. On either side you’ll find two more deep pockets, perfect for stashing your sunglasses and a compact umbrella for those unexpected spring showers.

This rather tame tote is a world away from Timmy Woods’ typical quirky creations, but that’s likely to be just what its fans love.

More Features of This Timmy Woods Embroidered Bag

• Zip top closure
• Two hoop handles
• Measures 14.5 x 8.5 x 3.5 inches

Get This Timmy Woods Floral Tote on eBay

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• Click here to see more from the BargainDeals4All store on eBay – A Timmy Woods Handbags Retailer
• All Timmy Woods bags on eBay

This chic leather shoulder bag from Roberto Cavalli has a touch of whimsy about it, without sacrificing its grown-up style.

The Leather Heart purse gets its name from the heart-shaped accent on the bag’s front. This feature could so easily have looked childish, but the matching brown tones keep things subdued and sophisticated. A leather tassel highlights the heart, but it’s so bland looking that it appears a little unnecessary.

The heart motif is repeated in the purse’s reinforced corners, which feature the same curved shapes and contrast stitching. These corners and the purse’s conservative color palette give the Leather Heart a vintage feel.

Open up the zip top closure to reveal a medium interior, which bucks the current trend for oversized purses. You’ll have to leave the kitchen sink at home, but you also won’t feel weighed down either. A zippered pocket is perfect for stashing loose change and other small essentials, while a zip top closure keeps your cargo safely inside.

This cute Leather Heart handbag, from Roberto Cavalli’s popular Freedom range, is reasonably priced at $345 retail.

More Features of This Roberto Cavalli Leather Freedom Purse

• Chrome hardware
• Freedom fabric lining
• A 20 inch single strap with an 8 inch drop
• Measures 10 x 6 x 2 inches
• Comes with a dust bag
• Made in Italy

Get This Roberto Cavalli Leather Heart Shoulder Bag on eBay

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• Click here to see more from the M & W Distributing store on eBay – A Roberto Cavalli Handbags Retailer
• All Roberto Cavalli bags on eBay

And now for some odd news regarding the recession: alligator farms in Louisiana are losing gobs of money as the drop in luxury handbag sales continues.

What is normally a $60 million dollar industry in Cajun country is suffering since major designers like Gucci, Versace, and others aren’t buying the high dollar skins. I don’t blame them either; if the shoppers aren’t spending top dollar for the handbags, they can’t afford to make them.

You might think that news like this would tickle PETA pink since they avidly protest the use of such materials for fashion purses and even highlighted their hate of the practice with a recent commercial featuring the animal. Unfortunately for animal-lovers, the issue isn’t that the farms have no buyers and aren’t producing the hides. Most farms have the product already tanned and ready to ship and just lack the customers.  

The industry doesn’t expect a turnaround any time soon either. One Louisiana alligator farm hasn’t sold a single skin in a year and probably won’t for another. Times are tough for everyone it seems. For fans of the previously popular handbag material, I guess we’ll just have to stick to faux versions or eBay auctions.

[Source: luxist]
[Image: Steve Beger Photography/Flickr]

Alligator Leather Handbags on eBay

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

At first glance, it took me a minute to realize that this Francesco Biasia is made from straw. The bright coral color nearly outshines the interesting texture of the Lillian Shoulder Bag, but the pattern holds its own and adds a summery touch to the handbag.

The woven texture isn’t the only material on the Lillian to make a statement. The bag’s double belt detail on the front is made from a patent PVC in the same pinkish red color. The loose, unstructured look of the feature imbues the purse with a casual vibe. I can just picture it going perfectly with a cotton dress and sandals.

Also contributing to visual interest as well as function are the braided belt loops, which hold the buckled PVC strips in place and are made from the same patent material. A single shoulder strap echoes the belted detail and attaches to the Lillian with gold-toned rings.

This Francesco Biasia bag doesn’t disappoint in its amount of storage either. In addition to several interior pockets, there is a center zippered compartment that splits the inside of the handbag in half and creates more organizational areas. For only $198, I think the Lillian delivers well on spring and summer style as well as practicality.

More Features of the Lillian Shoulder Bag

• Measures 13 x 11 x 5 inches
• Strap with 9.5 inch drop
• Gold-toned hardware

Francesco Biasia Lillian Bags on eBay

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• Get this bright coral straw handbag on Amazon
• Click here to search more Francesco Biasia bags on eBay

The cute floral design of the Radley Brighton bag evokes warm summer days, the lazy kind where you’ve got enough time to stop and smell the flowers.

The smooth black nappa leather is embellished with large leather blooms. Unlike many floral bags though, this one is thoroughly modern thanks to the funky geometric designs and masculine tones. I love the contrast that the black bag gives, but if it’s a little dark for your tastes don’t despair. There’s also an ivory Brighton, which offers a more feminine look with its pink and green flowers. Three leaf charms, which hang alongside Radley’s familiar dog tag, continue the garden theme.

This tote’s large size makes it ideal for carrying A4 documents to the office and taking to an after work catch-up with the girls. The grosgrain lined interior has two zippered pockets for secure storage space, and there’s an additional slip pocket on the back.

It might have a fun summery vibe, but this structured tote is chic enough to carry all year round.

More Features of This Radley Brighton Tote

• A single shoulder strap
• Measures 16.5 x 10.5 x 4 inches

Radley Black Leather Bags on eBay

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Also See

• Click here to see more from the Pathfinder Direct store on eBay – A Radley Handbags Retailer
• All Radley bags on eBay

Online fashion retailer Yoox.com is going green, with the launch of its new eco-friendly area, Yooxygen. Here eco-friendly shoppers will find various green products, including handbags, jewelry, books, and apparel.

Yoox.com founder Federico Marchetti says it’s a “natural” progression for the site, which has long focused on “slow fashion.”

“We have always believed in ‘slow fashion’ on the Internet, meaning that we offer curated selections of high quality, timeless items that are meant to last over time,” he explained, “as opposed to ‘fast fashion’ that you wear a few times and have to throw away, contributing to the deterioration of the environment.”

Yooxygen will showcase capsule collections and designer collaborations available exclusively through the site. These will include the recycled Venetian Bag created by Ilaria Venturini Fendi for Carmina Campus, and Caboclo jewelry crafted using found objects.

But Yoox.com is doing more than simply pushing eco-friendly goods. The company has also instituted a series of internal policies to reflect its new green ethos.  These measures include recycling, hybrid company cars and vehicle-share programs, and a future commitment to 100% offset for its shipping carbon footprint.

Yooxygen will launch in mid-April to celebrate Earth Day.

[Source: Brandweek]
[Image Source: Banjo Ari/Stock.xchng]

Recycled Handbags on eBay

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Any husband knows anything with a cord or a plug makes a bad birthday gift. But it’s the really great husbands that show the sort of gift-giving flair mine did on Friday, when he presented me with this beautiful Oroton Lido tote bag. I had no clue he planned to buy me a handbag for my birthday, while he knew only a stunning designer purse would do.

The first thing that struck me about this tote was its incredibly soft pebbled finish. That’s thanks to the cashmere leather, which feels as indulgent as the name suggests. The basic black really makes the gleaming silver hardware pop, but it’s also available in tan if you prefer. A deep front pocket closes with Oroton’s signature O clasp, a chic accent which seems so much classier than any nameplate or signature fabric. The drawstring design gives the Lido a slouchy profile, which is dressed up with belted accented and silver baubles.

The drawstring’s a little fiddly for my liking, so I haven’t knotted it very often. The leather patch tends to keep things in place, and the magnetic snap bridge inside offers enough security. The interior is a generous space, lined with hard-wearing signature print fabric. One side wall comes with a zippered pocket, while the other has a cell phone pouch and a larger slip for an iPod or PDA.

The whip-stitched handles look stunning but they’re a little shorter than I’d like. With my tiny build I can wear them over my shoulder, but only just. The Lido also comes with a longer shoulder strap, which I think I’ll attach for my next shopping spree!

More Features of This Oroton Leather Tote Bag

• Protective feet on the base
• Measures 15.7 x 11 x 6 3 inches
• Comes in a dustbag

Get This Oroton Lido Handbag on eBay

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• Click here to see more from the Yummydad store on eBay – An Oroton Handbags Retailer
• All Oroton bags on eBay