Not that I'm trying to make up for my loss of goodwill for the Stella McCartney Recycled Hobo post (but maybe I am), because truly, I am conscientious of the environment and animals. But we live in a confusing world - although I adore my pets and enjoy frequenting the zoo, I still eat meat (just not pet meat) and love my lovely exotic and leather handbags. I do what I can but seriously, how can anyone be perfect about environmentalism? I mean, other than Ed Begley Jr., no one is peddling a bike to make electricity for the laptop they're using. But when something like this fund drive for the ASPCA comes along, I jump at it. Envirosax (yes, I bring my own reusable bags to the market) is donating $1 for every pouch set sold to help shelters deal with animals abandoned due to home foreclosures. You kill 2 birds with one stone! Or is that an inappropriate idiom to use here? Keep these in mind for holiday gift giving. There are 10 designs to choose from, each pouch set of 5 is $37.95. Get your Envirosax pouch and help give these abandoned pets a second chance.
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I totally understand and am in agreement with Stella McCartney haters because of the prices on her bags. Hollywood aside, I think I am making a fair generalization by saying that most environmentalist are not fashionistas. There is no "Crunchy Granola" department at Neiman Marcus. If you're spending close to $1000 on a bag, you're probably a meat eater. First of all, the word "recycled" to me is synonymous with "affordable" since less resources were expended for it. This shape with the ribbon detail is super cute and totally snob worthy but for $785, I insist that some animal was harmed during the making of it. At Bergdorf Goodman.
I've been wearing Donna Karan clothes since college but have never had the itch for her bags... until I saw the small Gotham tote today. I am speechless (in a good way) over the design of this super kick ass bag. Ever the pragmatist, Donna Karan finds the perfect balance between trendy style and practical function and executes it flawlessly. The punk rock zippers are on trend and totally make the bag but what I really love about it is the multi compartments (3 main to be exact) and the many pockets to stash my goods. The outer side pockets are large enough for an iPhone and Kindle, so practical! Can not tell you how many times I get excited over outer pockets only to find they fit nothing but a postage stamp. But this is not the best part about the Gotham, the collection (there is a larger Gotham tote @ 14"x15" and clutch) is made of organic crinkled lambskin! This eco-friendly leather uses natural skins (by products) that starts at a chemical free farm and dyed by a tannery that is ISO 14000 certified using only vegetable tannins. Hello! Eco chic has never looked so hot! This is a major winner in my book. The one I'm getting is in espresso, a rich dark coffee distressed shade that almost looks black. Sublime! Small Gotham tote-- 14"W x 11"L (7" drop on shoulder straps) $1,495 at Donna Karan boutiques call 212-861-1001.
The Gotham convertible clutch bag also caught my eye. It has the same punk rockin' zippered style with a removable long body chain. The perfect complement for your hot date nights. Zippered interior to ensure nothing falls out. 11"W x 5"L, $995. (Jump for more photos!)
I find the wool zebra clutch from Stella McCartney quite interesting-- the subtly pleated clutch with gold tone hardware has a very lady like vibe until you open it and see the black vinyl and chain detail-- pure rock rebel! Yes, Stella is the daughter of a Beatle and has been known to produce overpriced plastic bags but don't hold that against her. She's actually a talented designer and credited for bringing Chloe back to life (Phoebe Philo was her protegee and took over after she left the brand). Of course during those days she used leather and fur. Nowadays she is very creative with her vegan line; the use of wool in a zebra print is beautiful and a nice alternative to satin or leather for evening. I wouldn't advocate its use for summer, however, as the website does. The last thing I want to do in 90 degree weather is clutch a wool bag! I'd save this for the Fall and wear it with an array of cashmeres and knits-- it's 20cm wide which is a generous size for a clutch and will be great for luncheons, too. The price is not too ridiculous though it's not cheap-- Stella McCartney Wool Zebra clutch $515 at Net-a-Porter.com.
What do you think?
Remember the "I'm not a plastic bag" craze? Of course you did =) Well, get ready for the next storm to hit. The Flea Bag rage is gathering strength at the celebrity level and you will be seeing, hearing and buying a lot of this as editorial continues to flood worldwide. The original design was intended for the flea market, thus the name, to fit all your purchases while shopping. What makes it timely is the eco-conscious part, it is not vegan but the leather uses vegetable dye, the canvas is all organic hemp and cotton and the ink on the print is water based. There is nothing toxic, not even glue! And they are handmade in New York so you are also supporting the dying fashion manufacturing there. Essential for the summer for beach, on the road and weekend getaways. Or if you love flea markets and farmers markets, use it for what it was intended and avoid all those plastic bags! It is pretty big, 16" x 16" at its widest. Comes in white, pebble, saddle and coffee bean leather trim. At Luxcouture for $395 I also saw it in orange, which is fab, at WWD.
UPDATE: Already the demand is out of control on these bags and the designers have raised the price to $415. Hope you got one while you could at $395!!
We have the ultimate gift guide for the ultimate mom! We are giving you fantastic ideas so you can be sure to get your fantastic mom (or your baby mama) the gift she deserves. There is something for every kind of mom, all Snob Worthy of course =) Also, share some of your good ideas and some gifts you have given from past Mother's Day that were a huge hit.
Photos from npr.org
Happy Earth Day! Make sure you recycle everything, including your books. And I'm not talking about making them into paper again. Caitlin Phillips has a line of bags that she makes out of old books. She guts the pages and uses just the spine and covers, then lines it with fabric and adds a handle. She only uses books that are being thrown out from libraries and bookstores. Kind of a cool idea although the handles can use some work. Maybe it should just be a clutch with a really cool clasp that sits flush and snugly around the book. Then you look like you're walking around with a book, an erudite snob. She said that books are already an accessory, you decorate your house with books and people have giant libraries displaying all that they've read and know. It shows that they are smart and well read. True. But when you tear out the pages and use the book cover as a bag, what does that say about you? That you can't read and only care about looks? Bags range from $120 - $165.
I can't believe I am falling for this but this Adidas bag by Stella McCartney is really groovy. For a gym bag. But if you are vegan and eco-chic, this might be just the thing for you. The grosgrain straps set against the gray nylon is very chic indeed! It also has a rounded balloon shape so it isn't just another tote, there are side straps that allow the bag to expand so go ahead and throw in your own towel, the gym towels are always too scratchy anyway. The top opens all the way up with a zipper which allows easy access to big items like your shoes, or actually my shoes, size 10 sneakers take up A LOT of room. I don't even have a problem running around town with this if I have to, I really like it! And the price will really put a smile on your face, only $160 - finally a Stella McCartney for the price that a non-leather bag should cost!! At Net-a-Porter for $160.
Environmental and economical, just the combo we need right now! Just like Obama's economical stimulus plan of going green and saving our bank account - except this plan gets you a super cute bag along the way =) I actually bought Matt & Nat bags for my vegetarian sister in-law and I was expecting to get a plastic-y and sticky faux-leather looking thing but these bags look really good. The design also helps, they are actually stylish instead of some bohemian, crochet, home-made pouch with yarn string straps. Seriously though, these are good enough regardless of your dietary choices - the Frugal Snob price tag and environmental conscious materials are icing on the cake. I like the metallic, it adds to the distraction of it being non-leather and the texture makes the silver look more expensive, for silver that is. Of course the black is always the safe choice to hide any limitations of synthetic and is obviously more practical. The asymmetrical zippers and tab details are super chic and the hobo shape is back (although it didn't leave for very long). At Neiman Marcus for $240.
This is not just another reusable canvas bag to save the world from endless plastic bags, this bag also raises awareness as well as contribute much needed funds toward cancer research. This bag, being sold at Kitson, is $52 and the entire amount will go to Stand Up To Cancer. Be eco-chic, have a cool bag, help cancer research and let people know what you stand up for, all that for $52! I say that's money well spent. Put this on your holiday shopping list, who wouldn't appreciate a gift full of meaning? Get it at Kitson.
Read other eco-chic bags features.
