Gucci has always been vigilant to crack down on counterfeiting and trademark infringement, but now they're taking a new angle on brand protection. This time, however, they aren't fighting the fight alone.

Legendary auction house Christie's is teaming up with the luxury brand to provide a "trusted venue for transactions of vintage Gucci items," according to Gucci's chief executive Patrizio di Marco who was quoted in a recent New York Times article. By the end of this year, Christie's will have a section on their website solely dedicated to helping appraisals of vintage Gucci goods.

The "Gucci Collector" section of the site will allow users to upload images of their items, which will then be evaluated and appraised by a bonafide Gucci archivist.

"I feel it is a noble, appropriate and modern way to provide access to original Gucci vintage products to a relevant and well-targeted audience," said Mr. di Marco.

[Source: NY Times]
[Image: Qiao-Da-Ye/Flickr]

Gucci Handbags on eBay

The upcoming celebrity designer auction is just the start of Louis Vuitton's fundraising commitment to the American Red Cross. The luxury design house will donate 10% of this month's online sales of selected bags to the charity.

The fundraising drive commemorates the 150th anniversary of Louis Vuitton's Asnieres workshop. This location was the label's only production facility from 1859 to 1977. So many years later, Louis Vuitton's hard-frame luggage, special orders, exotic purses, and limited-edition lines are still crafted there today.

Donating to American Red Cross was a simple choice for the company's North American president, Daniel Lalonde.

"The Red Cross is committed to preventing and appeasing the sufferance of people weakened by instability and ever-growing de-humanization of our society. Louis Vuitton is honored to be aligned with such a significant and impactful organization," he said.

Bag lovers can do their bit by snapping up the brand's iconic Keepall, Speedy, Noe, or Alma purses. If you have ever considered buying one of these timeless styles, now's the time to do it!

[Source: Purse Page]
[Image Source: Hirski/Wikipedia Commons]

Louis Vuitton Keepall Bags on eBay

DashOfEnvy.com is a new entertainment shopping site which auctions off a different designer handbag every day.

While you need to worry about fakes, beat-up old purses and unreliable sellers on eBay, DashOfEnvy.com takes away the guesswork by offering new and authentic accessories. There are some real bargains to be found too. A La Regale clutch recently went for a little over $10, while a Dooney & Bourke bag only fetched a smidge more than a fiver!

New bags and auctions are added several times a day, so it's worth visiting often. If you're not too particular about the bag you're carrying, it's a great way to indulge for less. But if you've got your sights set on a particular purse, you're probably better off buying it the old fashioned way.

Free membership is open to US residents, but there is a catch: you'll need to pay every time you make an offer. If you don't watch how many bids you're making, you might find that your new purse wasn't such a bargain after all!

Promo Code:

Promo Code: BAGBUNCH
Expires: November 30, 2009

This promotional discount code is good for 10 free bids on DashofEnvy.com

[Source: DashOfEnvy.com]

La Regale Clutches on eBay

Many of Nahui Ollin’s cute candy wrapper purses are for girls who travel light. This Barhandle Satchel shows the eco-friendly designer is just as skilled at working on a larger scale.

Larger is a relative term though. Packrats shouldn't pick this up expecting a substitute for their well-worn oversized carryall. It's a medium-sized satchel, but one that probably holds a little less than the average. The woven candy wrappers are surprisingly strong, but you don't want to test them by overstuffing. Besides, with no pockets to keep the interior organized, extra luxuries will only create clutter.

Like any Nahui Ollin, the greatest drawcard is that adorable candy wrapper finish which makes each one a true original. This floral print is perfect for girls craving spring, while the barcode pattern has a chic monochrome look. The straight leather straps give the Barhandle its name. They look so striking, but they mean you will have to carry this satchel by hand. Thankfully the candy-wrapper fabric is more lightweight than leather or PVC.

The Barhandle has its limitations, but green girls looking to upsize their Nahui Ollin collection will probably find a way to work around them!

More Features of This Nahui Ollin Recycled Candy Wrapper Satchel

• Magnetic snap closure
• Dual shoulder straps with a 1 inch drop
• Measures 8 x 8 inches
• Made in Mexico

Get this Nahui Ollin Barhandle Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Check the Mon Valley Auctions eBay store to see if this Nahui Ollin bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Nahui Ollin bags on BagBunch
• The Nahui Ollin Ritual tote bag, a great alternative to this satchel bag.
• Searching for more Nahui Ollin bags on eBay
• Other Nahui Ollin handbags on eBay:

Candy Wrapper Bag with Buckle from Nahui Ollin Handbags US $144.50   Auction Ends: 20d 12h 26m Make it yours...

NAHUI OLLIN Barhandle Satched Handbag Bag BARCODE $155 US $79.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 16h 30m Make it yours...

Naomi Campbell might have quite the reputation when it comes to ridiculously violent reactions to seemingly innocent situations. However, the international supermodel also has a well-known heart for charity work.

Campbell has collaborated with luxury design brands before to benefit charity, such as her Hermes Birkin bag auction for the White Ribbon Alliance. Well, she's at it again to help out the pregnancy and childbirth focused organization, but this time with Louis Vuitton.

As global ambassador of the White Ribbon Alliance, the model has chosen a signature monogrammed LV handbag to retail in the company's stores, with part of the proceeds from sales going directly to the worthwhile organization.

Although we don't have a name yet for the upcoming handbag, we do know that it will retail for roughly $2, 800. You'll be able to get your hands on the new Louis Vuitton purse next March right around Women's Day.

Naomi summed things up with a short, and maybe slightly defensive, quip about this type of collaboration:

"People say fashion people don't do anything. We do a lot," she said.

She does surprise me with her commitment to the White Ribbon Alliance, but I'd certainly never say she doesn't do anything.

[Source: My Fashion Life]
[Image: leeno/Flickr]

Louis Vuitton Handbags on eBay

LOUIS VUITTON DAMIER TREVI GM BAG US $1,499.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 17m Make it yours...

AUTH LOUIS VUITTON MONOGRAM SPEEDY 25 HANDBAG PURSE NR US $202.50   37 Bids Auction Ends: 20m Make it yours...

LOUIS VUITTON PURSE US $51.00   16 Bids Auction Ends: 21m Make it yours...

Famed fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz is stepping out from behind the lens for a new project. After years of capturing images for photo shoots and a recently publicized financial woes involving a Supreme Court lawsuit, Leibovitz is trying her hand at a different kind of fashion career: designing handbags.

The photographer, whose work with Vanity Fair and labels like Dior and Louis Vuitton is well-known, has joined British artist Damien Hirst, Marc Jacobs, and others for a special design project to create limited edition Louis Vuitton bags. Their designs will be auctioned off at Sotheby's in London on November 17. It's not for fame or fortune, however, since the auction will benefit the Red Cross in celebration of their 150th anniversary.

Leibovitz's design is a large monogrammed backpack trimmed in black leather with a matching shoulder bag. A photography equipment-holding backpack isn't exactly Louis Vuitton's typical product, but something tells me that no one is questioning the photographer-turned-designer's talent.

See more of these artist-designed Louis Vuitton bags and trunks at Fashionphile's website.

[Source: Grazia Daily]
[Image: fashionphile]

Louis Vuitton Handbags on eBay

LOUIS VUITTON DAMIER TREVI GM BAG US $1,499.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 17m Make it yours...

AUTH LOUIS VUITTON MONOGRAM SPEEDY 25 HANDBAG PURSE NR US $202.50   37 Bids Auction Ends: 20m Make it yours...

LOUIS VUITTON PURSE US $51.00   16 Bids Auction Ends: 21m Make it yours...

The Kianh Foundation has teamed up with ten up-and-coming British designers for a unique charity initiative. Participating artisans include Gemma Johnson, Tamara Fogle, and Charlotte Law of The Modern Fold.

The designers have created one-of-a-kind handbags, which will be auctioned off during London Design Week. Funds raised will help disabled and disadvantaged children in Vietnam's Hoi An Orphanage.

Each handbag was crafted from a massive canvas painted by the children living at the orphanage. Doesn't it look like they had fun doing it? The purses were then tizzed up with leather accents and sequined embellishments and metal details to make each one a true original.

Britons can see the bags at the London College of Communication from September 22 to 26. The silent auction will take place throughout the week. If you're not in the local area you can still bid on the handbags by getting in touch with the organizers via the project's blog.

[Source: The Bag Lady]

Charity Bags on eBay

The annual Handbag Amnesty is on again, giving ordinary bagistas the chance to nab celebrity purses, and raise funds for cancer research at the same time.

Some of the world's most stylish stars have donated bags from their private collections. You could own Paris Hilton's own Paris Hilton handbag, Scarlett Johansson's Anya Hindmarch tote, or Annie Lennox's eco-friendly pop-top purse!

Handbag Amnesty is a partnership between fashion website handbag.com and Cancer Research UK. All profits raised will help benefit the cancer charity, which is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the United Kingdom. The initiative is part of the site's Handbag Month, which takes place through September and culminates with the handbag auction from October 2 to 11.

Celebrities aren't the only ones encouraged to part with their purses. Members of the public are also encouraged to donate their own unwanted bags to their nearest Cancer Research UK store. Everyone who donates a handbag will be entered in the draw for a Stella McCartney purse to replace the one they've given away!

Click here to see all the celebrity handbags up for auction this October.

[Source: Look to the Stars]
[Image Source: Handbag Amnesty]

When I think of generous, philanthropic celebs, Naomi Campbell isn't a name which springs to mind. But it seems I might have misjudged the hot-tempered supermodel. She's showing rare altruism and donating an exotic Hermes Birkin bag to charity.

Naomi will part with a green alligator skin Birkin for the next Hermes annual vintage sale. And she's not the only star giving up one of the French fashion house's precious purses. Princess Stephanie of Monaco has kindly contributed a handbag belonging to her mother, the late Grace Kelly.

Funds raised by the luxurious donations will benefit The White Ribbon Alliance. The international organization looks to ensure pregnancy and childbirth is safe for all women and newborns around the world.

The Hermes auction takes place on November 10. You might want to start saving your pennies if you hope to secure either bag. The combination of star power and luxury is a heady combination for any fashion fan!

[Source: Elle UK]
[Image Source: Jesse Gross/Wikipedia Commons]

Hermes Birkin Bags on eBay

A charity auction involving fashion and celebrities is certainly nothing new. We've seen them benefit the Sir Elton John AIDS Foundation and even Global Giving relief efforts in Italy.

Celebrities always seem to jump right in when this sort of thing comes around, whether it's for the publicity or simply a big heart. Well, this time the fashion and the proceeds are for men. Yes, women will pay ridiculous amounts to get a Ferragamo bag previously owned by Eva Longoria Parker, but the men deserve their own charity events, too.

Manbagcompany.com has teamed up with some well-known (and some really offbeat) celebrities to benefit the Prostate Cancer Charity, a UK-based organization that works to fight prostate cancer through support, research, and more. Some of the celebrities involved on the project include Ricky Gervais, Alan Carr, Jade Jagger, Twiggy, Ben Shephard, Depeche Mode, Tom Baker, and Jimmy Choo.

Each man bag has been either hand-drawn, painted, or stitched by the celebs making each one completely original and unique. Yes, I'd definitely describe Ricky Gervais' version with a cartoon drawing of one of his Flanimals as original ... very original.

Click here to view all of the 33 celebrity-designed man bags soon to be available for bidding. The manbagcompany.com charity auction begins on June 24.

[Source: Female First]
[Image: Manbagcompany.com]

Man Bags on eBay