Newspapers account for 13% of all landfill space around America, so it’s exciting to see Couture Planet repurposing some of these papers to create its distinctive eco-friendly purses.

The company came about when Connie Carman, a hotel store manager, observed the way old papers piled up each day. She began to make bags from the papers as a hobby, but they became so popular the concept gave birth to a thriving green business called Couture Planet.

Couture Planet uses clippings supplied by customers, or other interesting stories its team finds. These clippings are framed, laminated, and layered for stability before being sent to a stitcher. Each bag generally saves 30 to 40 newspaper pages from the scrapheap.

While turning old newspapers into accessories is obviously a great green initiative, the practice can also be unexpectedly sentimental. Many of the company’s bags serve as keepsakes for customers who’ve been saving special newspaper clippings for years.

Keeping its production in Massachusetts helps Couture Planet minimize its carbon footprint and remain proudly American owned and made. Carman acknowledges the bags could be made cheaper in China, but says “That is not why we started this company, and we just can’t sell out like that.”

Couture Planet is proud of its roots and makes sure to give back to its community. It employs local high school seniors to help them develop their skills and gain valuable workplace experience.

The Couture Planet purses retail for between $38 and $80 depending on their size. The company is happy to create custom orders, but their regular bags are also available from selected retailers in 14 American states.

[Source: The Boston Globe]
[Image Source: Couture Planet website]

Serpui Marie takes snakeskin into the future with this ultra modern Nancy clutch.

There’s something about the silvery snake finish that makes me think of the space age. Its metallic finish is ultra modern, and so is its clean, minimalist design. I’m particularly drawn to the Nancy’s long, trapezoidal shape which is ergonomic and also really fresh.

Just as its name suggests, the Nancy clutch is long and slender, somewhat like the animal that gave its life to create it. While those dimensions limit what we can carry inside it, I think they’re really appropriate for after five use. The Nancy is dainty enough to appear sophisticated, but its length helps it hold a few extra items with careful packing.

I only wish there was a chain strap in there. While the Nancy’s dimensions make it easy to tuck underneath our arm or hold in our hand, this kind of carrying tends to grate as the evening wears on.

Considering it’s made from authentic snakeskin I was shocked to see the Nancy costs just $395. That’s a steal for any real exotic purse, but especially one with such a distinctive look.

More Features of This Serpui Marie Snakeskin Clutch

• Plainweave lining
• Magnetic closure
• Measures 5.5 x 12.5 x 3.5 inches
• Made in Brazil

Get this Serpui Marie Nancy Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Serpui Marie bags on BagBunch
• The Serpui Marie Essential Minaudiere bag, a great alternative to this snakeskin bag.
• Searching for more Serpui Marie bags on eBay
• Other silver snakeskin clutch bags on eBay:

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British designer Inghua Ting might love incorporating salvaged seatbelts into her accessories, but they’re much more stylish than anything we’ve seen from casual label Harveys.

Seat belts are just one item Ting upcycles to create her handbags and wallets. Ting bags also feature old leather belts, vintage saddles, and other found materials. These accents are complemented by reclaimed leathers, tie silks, and other vintage fabrics. Even the buckles are made from reclaimed belt hardware! Ting sees the beauty in these disused goods and breathes new life into them without sacrificing their original integrity.

After graduating from the Royal College of Art, Ting spent time working with innovative new materials in Japan. Ironically being on the forefront of fabric technology led her to contemplate sustainability, and so Ting was born in 2000. Twelve years have passed but Ting remains just as committed to producing high class accessories using sustainable materials and practices. By using salvaged materials Ting ensures each bag is completely unique. They’re also completely handmade to ensure their quality is first class.

Ting bags are available in a range of sizes, from wallets to everyday satchels and totes and larger weekenders. Shop for the Ting and Ting London accessory lines at the Ting website.

[Source: Ting website]

We all know Savanna as a cheap and cheerful label, but with this Austrian Crystal Topaz Minaudiere it shows us it’s also got a glamorous side.

This minaudiere isn’t too different to the ones Judith Leiber creates, although its design is much more wearable than many of her quirky creations. Its retro geometric pattern takes us back to the 70s with its earthy metallics. Its rounded edges soften the look and make it more ergonomic. However I’m not sure I’d trust those crystals to stay put if you only hold the purse by hand, especially as Savanna doesn’t provide extra gemstones as many fashion house’s do. Thankfully there’s also a long chain strap to help us out.

This minaudiere’s interior is small and simple. There are no real surprises here, although the leather lining makes this petite compartment feel a bit more opulent.

Most Savanna bags clock in well under $100, but not this beauty. It’s much more expensive at $800. That’s a real jump for the label’s fans to swallow, but when you compare it to similar minaudieres on the market it’s a relatively affordable way to rock a high class look.

More Features of This Savanna Checkered Minaudiere

• Clasp closure
• A chain strap with a 22 inch drop
• Measures 4.5 x 4.5 inches
• Comes with a dust bag
• Made in China

Get this Savanna Austrian Crystal Topaz Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Savanna bags on BagBunch
• The Savanna Austrian Crystal Leopard bag, a great alternative to this geometric patterned bag.
• Searching for more Savanna bags on eBay
• Other crystal minaudiere bags on eBay:

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Canadian accessories firm Mariclaro turns car waste into durable green laptop sleeves, briefcases, backpacks, and messenger bags.

No material is off limits for the Toronto-based label. It uses truck tarpaulins, leather upholstery, bicycle inner tubes, seat belts, and even exploded air bags to craft its eco-friendly purses. We’ve seen many of these materials in other handbags, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a label making such good use of the entire vehicle. Mariclaro performs a real green service, as 99% of the items it salvages are intended for landfill. Company founders Sven Schegel and Willa Murray intercept the car parts before they can reach the scrapheap.

Luxury lovers and car enthusiasts are also catered for with Mariclaro’s limited edition handbags. These are made from the parts of luxury vehicles including Lincolns, Cadillacs, and Mercedes-Benzes. As they cost a fraction of the original cars, they’re a great gift option for anyone with ambitions of owning a high-end vehicle. Each one comes bundled with a frame picture of the original car its pieces came from and a one-year guarantee.

Mariclaro is a relative newcomer to the fashion game with only three years under its belt. However it’s started strong, and last year earned the Globe Award for Environmental Excellence.

Are you impressed by Mariclaro’s bags?

[Source: Ecouterre]

Sara Berman plays it safe with this elegant Raphael Day Bag.

This is the kind of handbag that suits any occasion or situation. It doesn’t make a strong style statement, but there’s an elegant quietness about it that’s really attractive. It might not turn as many heads as a more trend-focused accessory, but it will find a place in your wardrobe as fads come and go.

If you dismiss it as boring you’ll miss its beautiful details. It’s an old soul, but the triangular stitching around the straps makes it feel a bit more modern. The gleaming brass studs are also a gorgeous complement to the conservative brown leather. While the color is sedate its gentle glaze makes it much more compelling.

The Raphael is spacious but it stops short of being unwieldy. That’s largely due to the unique design, which has not one but two compartments. Why not use one for the office and the other for fun after hours? The rolled handles are likely to slip from your shoulder, but at least they’re long enough for easy carrying.

I haven’t always been Sara Berman’s biggest fan but she’s gotten it right with the Raphael. At $653 it’s a bit more expensive than her other bags, but it’s also better than most.

More Features of This Sara Berman Brown Leather Day Bag

• Zip closure
• Nylon lined interior
• Dual straps with a 7.75 inch drop
• Measures 10.75 x 17.5 x 7.75 inches
• Made in India

Get this Sara Berman Raphael Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Sara Berman Raphael, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Sara Berman bags on BagBunch
• The Sara Berman Daphne bag, a great alternative to this classic bag.
• Searching for more Sara Berman bags on eBay

After building its business for more than two decades in South America, Blues by KyKy is introducing its handbags to fashionistas in the United States.

American audiences have embraced tribal styles in recent seasons, so it seems like the perfect time for the Venezuelan handbag to make a splash. Its co-founder, designer, and creative director Yliana Yepez has also relocated to New York, so she knows what the modern American market is looking for.

With her new knowledge of the Big Apple, Yepez has adapted the bags to include functional features like long straps.

“Back home we always drive but New Yorkers walk everywhere, so the bags need to be functional to grab and go and to fit over a coat,” she explained.

The Blues by KyKy collection features tote bags and clutch purses in a range of finishes, from affordable woven straw and raffia to more luxurious embossed exotic leathers and haircalf. There are plenty of bold summery colors including yellow, orange, and green. Some natural and nude hues are available too, but with bright neon tassels and colored trims, I doubt they’ll appeal to conservative girls! Prices start at $278 and top $695 for a snake-printed leather handbag.

Blues by KyKy bags are now available in selected boutiques in Florida, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Pennsylvania, and the label’s online store.

[Source: Accessories Magazine]

Santi takes a break from creating head-turning evening accessories with this Chevron Crochet Pouchette.

There are certainly elements of the Santi we know and love here. The beads and sequins give it a dash of sparkle, but it’s not as showy as many of the fashion house’s designs. The chevron pattern makes this purse resemble something you might find in a Guatemalan market. The handiwork is every bit as delicate as you’d find abroad, and its colors just as vibrant.

This Chevron Pouchette is very dainty though, so while its soft body will expand a little you shouldn’t expect it to hold any more than the barest of essentials. It’s a shame the chain strap has to clutter the tiny interior when it’s not in use, but we’ll be happy for its presence as the day wears on. That small space is a bit limiting for a day bag, but it’s perfect for coffee with the girls and other brief outings.

You’d probably find cheaper in that Guatemalan marketplace, but its quality help to justify its $190 price tag.

More Features of This Santi Crochet Pouchette

• Made of embellished fabric
• Lined with satiny material
• A kiss-lock clasp
• A chain strap with a 24.5 inch drop
• Measures 6 x 6 inches
• Made in India

Get this Santi Chevron Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Santi bags on BagBunch
• The Santi Chevron Crochet coin purse, a great alternative to this pouchette bag.
• Searching for more Santi bags on eBay
• Other chevron clutches on eBay:

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Never lose your bag at the airport turnstile again with this Bright Lights Spinner from Samsonite.

This travel bag is definitely one for the girly girls. While it’s also available in black and blue, it’s this shocking pink hue that makes the strongest style statement. Personally I’m finding it hard to resist this candy colored polycarbonate finish, but I know such a sugary hue won’t please everybody!

No matter what color you pick you should be impressed by this spinner case’s features. Its tough hard finish is surprisingly lightweight to help you avoid those dreaded baggage fees. The Bright Lites also put an end to cases that act like faulty shopping karts. The four spinner wheels rotate a full 360 degrees to make it easy to get from one end of the terminal to the other.

Inside you’ll find plenty of space for all your vacation needs, and a TSA approved lock to keep them safe. The interior has a zippered pocket and a divider pad to keep your cargo organized, and cross-straps to hold it tightly in place. It’s a shame the divider isn’t larger, as things tend to fall out the sides and become jumbled, but it’s a great concept.

Just make sure you handle your spinner case carefully, because once it’s scuffed it loses a lot of its luster. At $400 you don’t want it losing its charm too quickly!

More Features of This Samsonite Polycarbonate Spinner Case

• A retractable handle
• A limited lifetime warranty
• Measures 29.5 x 20 x 14.5 inches

Get this Samsonite Bright Lites Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Samsonite Bright Lites 29, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Samsonite bags on BagBunch
• The 20-inch Samsonite Bright Lites spinner bag, a small alternative to this large bag.
• Searching for more Samsonite bags on eBay

With so many fashion campaigns focusing on beautiful faces, it’s interesting to see Diane von Furstenberg has gone in a completely different direction. The model in its spring/summer 2012 campaign features no face at all!

Photographer Camilla Akrans realized Diane von Furstenberg’s vision and created an ode to surrealist art.

The ad reminds me a little of the new Proenza Schouler advertisement, where we saw Natasha Poly’s head unceremoniously cropped. However the effect of having a mirror where the face should be is much more jarring.

The ad seems to remove the stigma that you need to be a waif thin model with impossibly fine features to wear these clothes. By replacing her face with a mirror we can imagine our own face reflected there, and by extension ourselves in the advertisement.

It’s a clever concept but I worry that the missing face shifts focus away from the fashions. The red and white floral wrap dress the model wears is gorgeous, and a great complement to the oversized white clutch purse, but we barely notice them. Sometimes fashion house’s can be too clever for their own good.

Do you appreciate Diane von Furstenberg’s dramatic new advertisement, or do you think it misses the mark?

[Source: Fashionista]

Diane von Furstenberg Clutches on eBay

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