Gucci is preparing to launch its fifth annual charity campaign to benefit UNICEF. In the past five years the designer handbag brand has raised almost $7 million to support UNICEF's efforts in education, healthcare, protection, and clean water.

This year's collection is inspired by Snowman in Africa, the sequel to the best-selling children's book Snowman in Paradise. Gucci will sell the book alongside its limited edition charity accessories collection in its retail stores and online. 100% of the book's retail price, and 25% of the bag sales, will benefit UNICEF.

The accessories available include the large Joy Bag, and the smaller coin purse and wallet. As the name of the collection suggests, the purse's feature an appliquéd snowman standing in a field of African grasses and wrapped up by a native snake.

The Snowman in Africa goodies will be available from November 16 until December 31. However some lucky celebrities, including supermodel mama Heidi Klum, have already been spotted carrying the range. If her star endorsement helps to boost the profile of this worthwhile collection it can only be a good thing.

[Source: Senora Cartera]
[Image Source: Gucci]

Gucci UNICEF Bags on eBay

Earth Day might have been and gone, but that doesn't mean bagistas have stopped searching for stylish eco-friendly accessories. Kaija is the latest green label to make a splash with its organic and environmentally-friendly tote bags and clutches.

Kaija means "able," a word which resonates with meaning for designer Khrisna Justo. During a visit to the Philippines she saw underprivileged women making a living by crafting goods from hand-woven fibers. Seeing the potential of their skills, Khrisna decided to take the women's talents to the world.

On her return to New York, Khrisna established Kaija to provide stable employment and new opportunities for impoverished women. She designed a collection of bags, combining natural, indigenous fibers of the Philippines with contemporary Western style. The colorful tribal stripes of this Ana purse have really caught my eye.

Kaija's social conscience extends beyond the labor. A portion of all Kaija profits are donated to UNICEF's programs for orphan children.

Kaija bags are available online from $65.

[Source: PR Log]
[Image Source: KaijaNY]

Natural Woven Bags on eBay

• Search for Kaija handbags online

Here's our first look at Rihanna’s new commercial for the Gucci UNICEF Tattoo Heart handbag collection.

The collaboration was a labor of love on both sides. Gucci creative director Frida Giannini chose the beauty from Barbados for her fresh look.

"I wanted Rihanna on board with this project because she's so young, so modern, and so iconic," he gushed.

Meanwhile long-time Gucci lover Rihanna jumped at the chance to be part of the fashion label's charity project.

"I have always been a fan of the Gucci brand and the products, especially their handbags. But most of all, I'm very, very intrigued by what they're doing with UNICEF. As an artist, I feel like it’s our duty to make it a better place if we can," she said.

"I'm blown away by what UNICEF has been able to accomplish in Africa with the money that Gucci has donated to them. I'm very fortunate to be part of this wonderful collaboration."

The complete full-length film will be released on the Gucci website on December 9.  This edited clip gives us a great opportunity to drool over these limited edition Gucci purses, but all Rihanna does is look sultry and pout! I hope she gets a little more animated in the longer movie!

[Source: AndhraNews]

Gucci Limited Edition Handbags on eBay

Gucci's long association with UNICEF continues this year with the release of a special white version of its Tattoo Heart Collection. 25% of the sales of the bags will be donated to the charity. This will assist them in providing aid to orphans and children affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa.

All handbags in the range feature Gucci's iconic heart and rose design, a colorful print which contrasts with the purses' stark white backgrounds.

"I love the idea of a heart being tattooed onto the handbags," explained Gucci's creative director Frida Giannini, who has been involved in Gucci's annual charity line since 2005. "It's a permanent mark that you can wear with pride that stays with you. I think that represents very well what we are doing here. This is not a one-off program, but rather an ongoing commitment to the incredible work that UNICEF is able to achieve. It's really our chance to give back."

The Gucci UNICEF Tattoo Heart Collection is available from Gucci stores in more than 20 countries from November 19 to January 31.

[Source: My It Things]

Charity Bags on eBay

Hollywood stars would like you to believe they're not as superficial as the glamorous lifestyles they lead. Sure they might make millions, but they love to use that cash to feed starving children and help the homeless.

But you can't change the world if you don't look good first, right? So while the starlets might pledge thousands to their favorite charities, they're spending just as much on the latest designer handbags. Drab outfits might have been OK for Mother Theresa, but today's celebrity saints have a reputation to uphold.

It makes you wonder whether the stars believe in the causes they support, or whether it's all just a cheap grab for publicity. Are they celebrity charlatans using poverty to gloss their image, give them publicity, which subsequently generates them more fame and money to feed a designer shopping addiction?

How can these socially aware stars spend thousands on some arm candy while people in third-world countries are still dying of hunger? Some of these bags are so expensive, they'd easily feed an entire African village.

If you've pledged to help fight poverty how can you justify spending thousands on a designer handbag when that that money could make a huge impact on poverty to hundreds (if not thousands) of people.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on these famous celebrities but when you look at how much they've spent and how that money could have been used to fight poverty it makes you question their motives. Just take a look at these examples of "poverty fighting" celebs and their excessive handbag spending:

Angelina Jolie and Zahara Show Off Matching Valentino Purses

Image source: The Purse Blog
Angelina Jolie is the poster child for celebrity do-gooders. She's a United Nations ambassador, and her Jolie-Pitt Foundation helps humanitarian causes all around the world. She also likes to adopt orphans from poverty-stricken nations, like adorable Zahara.
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