Here we have yet another rather wonderful raffia purse from Mad Imports. Experts in raffia and other such eco-friendly materials, the brand's purses tend towards interestingly combined colors and shades.

This fold-over clutch is no different. The woven raffia weaves the blue and green shades together in an intricate wave, leading from the thin elegant base up towards the very simple fold over top. I do think a button would have added an extra feature, but some will prefer the smooth undisturbed lines.

Of course, no matter how pretty this bag is, I need to mention the disadvantages of raffia. After all, it is well known for falling apart easier than leather alternatives, so needs to be treated with delicacy. A clutch does afford the ability to do this as it doesn't swing wildly on your shoulder, but even so the lifespan is shorter.

That said, this purse is perfect for holiday wear, whether for traipsing the beaches in the day or taking to the restaurant in the evening. With that in mind the light cotton lining and breathable raffia work in this purse's favor, as is Mad Imports' way.

More Features of this Mad Imports Ariel Clutch

• Woven raffia exterior
• Button closure
• Folded envelope style
• Available in five color combinations

Get this Woven Eco-friendly Purse:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Mad Imports bags on BagBunch
• The Mad Imports Gigi clutch, a great alternative to this raffia bag.
• Seaching for more raffia bags on eBay
• Other Mad Imports bags on eBay:

American designer Cynthia Rowley has teamed up with surf brand Roxy for a new fashion collection.

The line is set to include Rowley-inspired wetsuits, board shorts, T-shirts, dresses, swimwear, handbags and other accessories. This is Roxy's first designer collaboration, but early indications are that it won't be the last.

"Our mission at Roxy has always been to have one foot in the surf world and another foot in the fashion world," said Randy Hild, executive vice president of marketing at Roxy.

It might seem like a strange pairing, but Cynthia says she loves nothing better than hitting the waves.

"My family and I surf a lot. Just about every weekend in the summer, we go to Montauk, and in the winter we go to the Dominican Republic for long weekends," she explained. "I love that we have this family activity that we all really enjoy."

The Cynthia Rowley for Roxy line will launch exclusively at Barneys New York and Paris' Colette store in March, before being rolled out to Roxy stores and Cynthia Rowley boutiques worldwide. The surf brand may be mixing with the big names now, but it's remaining committed to its affordable pricing policy. That's definitely good news for budget-hunting beach bunnies!

[Source: Fab Sugar]

Roxy Handbags on eBay

Coach's move into the budget handbag sector has seen the luxury label grow despite the financial crisis.

The brand's profits fell slightly in the fiscal first-quarter, but revenue is up. This is an encouraging sign when so many luxury labels are suffering.

Consumers have embraced Coach's budget bags priced between $200 and $300, particularly the Poppy line. Around half of Coach bags are priced under $300, compared to just 30% a year ago.

"For the foreseeable future, we do not expect the consumer to spend as much as she has done in discretionary areas," CEO Lew Frankfort told investors. He added, "We have adapted our pricing and product strategies to be successful in what will become the 'new normal.' "

While customers are spending less, Mr. Frankfort says they're doing it with confidence.

"We have seen a significant improvement in our customers' outlook for the economy and intention to purchase over the next year."

Coach is capitalizing on the results, with plans to introduce two new women's accessory groups, Waverly and Gramercy. There'll also be new Poppy items priced under the magic $100 mark. Boys won't be forgotten either, with the brand planning to open its first men's stand-alone store next to its Bleeker Street outlet in New York City.

[Source: Associated Press]
[Image Source: Coach Poppy website]

Coach Poppy Bags on eBay

Luxury brand Hermes seems to be riding over the wave of economic crisis with only a mere splash or two of disturbance. Somehow this label is defying the odds in a fashion industry that is simply trying to tread water.

With new stores and pop-up boutiques opening, Hermes continues to expand thanks to promising profits. It is furthering its fashion expansion with a new acquisition. Apparently, the brand is in the process or purchasing an auspicious location on the corner of London's reputable Bond Street.

The location is currently occupied by struggling luxury jewelry and accessories brand Asprey. Hermes will obtain the building and maybe even the business. Hermes wasn't the only luxury brand with its eyes on the advantageous spot though. Chanel reportedly had an interest in the London location before Hermes beat them to it.

Although acquiring Asprey's building sounds like a smart move and right up a booming label's alley, I'd be somewhat surprised to hear a confirmation of Hermes taking over more than Asprey's current housing on Bond Street. I suppose we'll have to wait to find out if the second part of the rumor is true or not.

[Source: Luxist]
[Image: daisybush/Flickr]

Hermes Handbags on eBay

Last year we saw Hermes creative director Jean Paul Gaultier design limited edition water bottles for Evian. Now in 2009 the water bottle giant has enlisted the help of another handbag designer, Paul Smith.

The colorful Brit used his iconic designs and vibrant palette to create these exclusive water bottles. They're quite pretty, but aren't they just going to end up in landfill once the water's gone? Or is the idea to create a container so pretty, you'll want to go green and refill it time and time again?

This video doesn't give us any further insights into the eco-friendly implications of the collaboration, but it does tell us more about Paul Smith, his design process, and his work with Evian. I didn't know he had such a wicked sense of humor!

The bottles comes with five different collectible caps. They are available for presale now through Evian's website, ahead of their release to fine dining establishments and gourmet retailers in November.

[Source: View on Fashion]

Paul Smith Handbags on eBay

If you're searching for a handbag that's a little out of the ordinary, consider the chic purses from Icelandic label Unnurwear. The styling shows European sophistication, but the finish is something a little different.

Unnur means "the waves of the ocean" in Icelandic, so it's not surprising to hear the brand's accessories are crafted from sea-leather. That's a delicate way of saying that the bags are made from fish.

But you don't need to worry about suspicious fishy odors. Sea leather smells and wears just like traditional calfskin. The brand refuses to deplete the ocean's natural resources with their creations, instead opting for farmed Icelandic salmon and African perch to craft its latest collection.

Unnurwear bags aren't cheap, with most costing more than $1000. Yet compared to other big name designer brands, this doesn't seem completely unreasonable for such unique luxury accessories.

Don't worry if a trip to Iceland isn't on your agenda. All purses are available online through the brand's website.

[Source: InStyle]
[Image Source: Unnurwear]

Sea Leather Bags on eBay

The next viral internet star has no need for the latest Prada purse. Busty 20-year-old Winter Pierzina simply uses her bra as a handbag!

More than a million people have logged on to watch sassy Winter smuggle her keys, cell phone, lipstick, and even mace inside her brassiere. In one video she even stashes a wrench, scissors, and a claw hammer in there!

Winter came up with the novel idea as her friends often found themselves without pockets or purses to carry their essential items.

"I just told them to give me anything they wanted to take into the party and before I knew it I had three sets of keys, three tubes of lipgloss, three cell phones," Winter told NBC Chicago. "We sat there for like five minutes rearranging things until it looked like absolutely nothing was in there."

I'm not sure the technique would ever convince me to trade in my favourite bag, but I'll bet it gets Winter plenty of offline attention too! Here's the video showing her bra carrying the bare necessities.

[Source: Daily Mail]

It feels strange writing about a handbag that isn't created by any real brand at all. However, I couldn't resist talking about a tote that hits so many popular trends all at once!

Firstly, with crafting, quilting and patchwork make-do-and-mend style becoming increasingly popular, this patchwork tote is just the thing that craft conscious girls may be looking for. Add eighties style neon brights that will go brilliantly with your funky shoulder pads, and dash of unnecessary contrasting zebra print, and there aren't many fashions left to be incorporated.

Of course, this isn't a tote for girls who want to blend in. In fact, anyone in a serious location, such as work or a date - watch out! This is a fun eye catching design that begs for attention - and as much of it will be bad as good. Somewhat like Marmite, I predict that you will either love this, or hate it!

If neon patchwork is your thing, and channelling eighties wildness is what you do, however, then this synthetic leather bag is actually great fun. Citrus orange, pinks, glossy browns and vibrant greens. The interior, thankfully, sticks with simple safe black, meaning that anything can get spilt and the damage should be minimal.

The bad points about this abstract totes are fairly self explanatory. The eye-watering shades will be too much for many, most colors will clash, and the luxuries are definitely a little scarce. In you feel like having impractical fun on a credit crunch budget, however, then this 80's tote will be ideal!

More Features of this Neon Leather Tote

• 7inch dual strap handles
• Chrome hardware
• Interior zipped pocket
• Reinforced joins

Get this Vibrant 80's Zebra Print Hold-all:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More patchwork bags on Bagbunch
• The Coach Wave Gallery Tote a great alternative to this bright bag
• Searching for more Zebra print bags on eBay
• Other 80's vintage bags on eBay:

Established in 2001, Joie is a relative newcomer to the fashion scene. The label's made waves with its ready-to-wear feminine fashions inspired by the Southern Californian lifestyle, and it's branching out. Joie has recently expanded its collections to include handbags and shoes.

The brand strives to create fashions that are "Casual, comfortable, and luxurious," and their new accessories are no exception to that rule. Take this Ibiza bag for example. The soft distressed leather is incredibly luxurious. I also imagine that long strap would feel comfortable on your shoulder. And nothing says casual like a slouchy, unstructured hobo!

It's a little disappointing that charcoal gray is the only color available, but at least it'll work with your fall and winter wardrobes. It's also reasonably priced at $545. This Joie Ibiza bags, and other accessories from Joie's fall collection, are available online at Shopbop.com.

[Source: Bag Bliss]

We've all admired Anna Jagodzinska, and those lush exotic handbags, in Bottega Veneta's new fall/winter advertisements. Now this video shows us just how these stunning shots were achieved.

The clip takes us behind the scenes with fashion photographer Steven Meisel and models Anna and Eddie Klint. It's a little short, which leaves the feeling we're simply scratching the surface. But I suppose the fashion house wants to maintain a little mystery!

The video's narrator is none other than Bottega Veneta's creative director Tomas Maier. He explains why he opted to work with Steven Meisel and his artistic vision for the advertisements. I only wish it came with subtitles. His accent is so thick and his voice so lush and resonant, it's hard to catch every word on the first listen.

Thankfully this video is about more than the words. It's also about the handbags, which are all on display in their decadent glory. No matter what language you speak, their beauty is universal!

Bottega Veneta Handbags on eBay