Following the announcement of Jimmy Choo and Elton John's designer collaboration for AIDS initiative Project PEP, the fashionable pair has launched a photographic competition.

Your entry will need three things: you, your favorite shoe, and the number 72. The number is significant as Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) must be administered within 72 hours of exposure to the HIV virus.

The competition aims to raise awareness of the Project PEP initiative, which will raise funds for the Simelela Rape Center in Cape Town, South Africa. The center looks to administer rape victims with the vital PEP medication and provide medical, counseling, and legal support.

More than 100 lucky snappers will take home products from the Project PEP range, with the grand prize winner scoring seven pairs of shoes and two purses from Jimmy Choo. Many of the winning images will also be displayed at Project PEP's official launch at Selfridges London on October 29.

[Source: View on Fashion]
[Image Source: Jimmy Choo 72]

Jimmy Choo Handbags on eBay

New Jimmy Choo Brown Mandah Handbag Purse $159500 US $299.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 7h 53m Make it yours...

$1995 JIMMY CHOO BLACK LEATHER RAMONA TOTE BAG HANDBAG US $495.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 15h 52m Make it yours...

NWT Jimmy Choo for HM Leopard Clutch Bag Handbag Chain US $107.50   11 Bids Auction Ends: 15h 53m Make it yours...

Is it just me or are handbag designers reaching new heights when it comes to crafting unique styles out of recycled materials? I mean, we've seen bags out of banana leaves, license plates, and now billboards.

Okay, so it's not the very first time billboard materials have been used in handbag design, but it's still worthy of a round of applause for environmentally-friendly creativity. It's also not a new thing for L.A.-based design company Artecnica to be involved in sustainable production, but their new mini-collection of bags and attaché cases made from discarded advertising is quite impressive.

It was advertising giant TBWA who gave them the challenge to make something out of the old billboards destined to inhabit landfills, and Artecnica rose to the task beautifully. Fitting right in with their Design with a Conscience line, shoppers can choose between a mesh-like tote, perfect for days at the beach or maybe carrying around yoga gear, and a clutch-shaped cork case lined in billboard material.

The new line of eco-conscious handbags debuted at the New York International Gift Fair this week.

[Source: The Moment]

Recycled Handbags on eBay

Recycled Large Tote Juice Box Bag US $45.00   Auction Ends: 22d 16h 39m Make it yours...

Recycled Medium Square Juice Box Purse Eco Friendly US $42.00   Auction Ends: 22d 15h 55m Make it yours...

Woven Recycled Magazine Handbag Handmade in Brazil New US $34.99   Auction Ends: 14d 12h 27m Make it yours...

Everyone knows that the stranger and more eco-friendly the handbag material, the more popular the handbag. We have seen licence plate bags, hosepipe purses and even handbags made from old seatbelts, and all in the name of green credentials and recyclable fashion.

Now little known designer Elaine Turner has jumped on the eco-bandwagon, with a tote made mainly from natural banana leaves. It is unusual and consequently bound to be a hit! (Us shoppers, predictable?! Surely not!)

The straw-like effect of the naturally toned banana leaf is actually very attractive with the contrasting leather exterior. Indeed, the textures actually combine very well: raw rough leaf with supple colorful leather.

Style-wise, this bag has quite a retro feel. Whilst it may not last as long as its vintage counterparts have, at least you have the strong stylish handles and art deco shape to make you feel like a fashion throwback. Inside, however, is thoroughly modern, with Elaine Turner's signature pink crown fabric. Bear in mind ladies: the pink fabric clashes with the pink bag, but looks great with any of the other colors!

Whilst an undeniably stylish and sexy bag, this tote is hampered just a little by the fact that you can't sling it over your shoulder. All too often with unique and beautiful handles the practicality just isn't there!

This banana leaf bags is a funky and unusual hold-all with a ecostyle twist. Just remember that this leather trimmed bag doesn't actually make any green credential claims. It just looks like it ought to!

More Features of this Elaine Turner Blair Tote

• Single interior pocket
• Bamboo turn clasp
• Banana leaf exterior
• Signature Elaine Turner crown lining
• Available in four colors

Get this Funky Natural Hold-all:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More eco-friendly bags on Bagbunch
• The Mad By Design Onyx Stingray tote, a great alternative to this colorful bag
• Searching for more recycled bags on eBay
• Other Elaine Turner bags on eBay:

ELAINE TURNER DESIGNS Straw Bamboo Hula Handbag Tote US $49.00   Auction Ends: 24d 8h 34m Make it yours...

BNWT ELAINE TURNER RETIRED HANDBAG RETAIL $24500 US $150.00   Auction Ends: 15d 9h 57m Make it yours...

Here at BagBunch, we're always on the lookout for handbags that are more than mere arm candy. While there’s a place for frothy pieces of high fashion, it's encouraging to find purses that give back to our environment and the global community. Tag Bag does both with its recycled accessories range.

The brand takes recycled license plates and inner tire tubes to create handbags of style and substance. The purses are handcrafted by the people of Kayamandi in South Africa, a township striken by poverty and AIDS. Tag Bag head Meeshee Scherrei visited the village in 2006, and was touched by its plight. She hopes that the success of her handbag line can help turn the village’s fortunes around.

There are currently eight different Tag Bags to choose from, including the everyday Pumla Carrybag, the mini messenger style Confidence Small Sling, and the oh-so-cute Noma Lunch Box. The bags are all priced under $100, so it doesn't cost much to make a difference.

[Source: Purseblog]
[Image Source: Tag Bag]

Recycled License Plate Bags on eBay

Texas Girl License Plate Frame Wallet Purse Black US $14.99   Auction Ends: 13d 21h 35m Make it yours...

CECCONI PIERO BLUE LICENSE PLATE LEATHER HANDBAG NWT US $45.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 11h 17m Make it yours...

HARLEY DAVIDSON NEW LEATHER PURSE W Strap License Plate US $9.99   1 Bid Auction Ends: 15h 5m Make it yours...

Jimmy Choo is famous for sexy stiletto heels and red-carpet ready purses, but the designer is now dressing down for charity. The fashion house has created some cute casual shoes and handbags to raise funds for the Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation.

These limited edition items are part of Project PEP, an initiative to help support the Simelela Rape Center in Cape Town, South Africa. One quarter of the accessory sales will help the charity provide the vital HIV preventative medication Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to abuse victims, as well as offering counseling and support.

The cause is close to the label's heart, as Jimmy Choo founder and president Tamara Mellon worked with Elton John on the auction project 4 Inches. This landmark program helped to secure the Simelela Center's future.

Each Project PEP accessory features a signature laminated print starring iconic Jimmy Choo hallmarks, such as snakeskin, grommet laden leather, a scribbled phone number of the brand's London store, and a picture of Ms Mellon gracing the cover of Vogue Italia.

"It's a whole collage of the DNA of Jimmy Choo," Tamara Mellon explained.

The print covers tote bags, clutches, sandals, ballet shoes, and summer-ready flip flops. Prices start from $95 for the flip flops, up to $995 for the large handbag. The Project PEP collection will hit Jimmy Choo boutiques and department stores in November.

[Source: Bag Snob]

Jimmy Choo Clutch Purses on eBay

BNWT JIMMY CHOO For HM Large Zebra Suede Clutch US $199.88   0 Bid Auction Ends: 45m Make it yours...

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French first lady Carla Bruni has shown she's as socially conscious as she is stylish, lending her name to a new charity handbag. This casual purse is a far cry from the Christan Dior and Hermes bags we're used to seeing Ms Bruni with, but it makes a much more significant fashion statement.

The colorful Carla bag is made from hessian and cotton by a sewing cooperative in Khayelitsha, South Africa. The wife of Nicolas Sarkozy was presented with a bag just like it on a recent visit to the co-op. Carla was so moved by her experience in this poor community, she commissioned just 420 reproductions to help raise funds to build a new cooperative.

At €100 each these hessian handbags are not cheap, but this vital cause makes it worth laying your money down for one of these limited edition purses. Every bag is numbered from 2 to 421 to guarantee their authenticity. The Carla bags are available exclusively through Colette stores.

[Source: Black Book]

Charity Handbags on eBay

White Sequin Zipper Purse Handbag4 Cat Rescue Charity US $5.00   Auction Ends: 12d 15h 19m Make it yours...

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MICROFIBER TOTES TRIO BLK TURQ PINK NWT CHARITY US $15.30   Auction Ends: 9d 21h 53m Make it yours...