Many green warriors shun the use of leather for fashion, but Love Mert challenges that view. Its leathers are the remnants left over from other American factories and the skins from unused vintage clothing. It sources leather destined for the scrapheap and keeps it out of landfill. What could be wrong with that?

Love Mert bags are accented with wooden beads and accents, which give them a rustic, earthy look. Peek inside and you'll find soft linings made from sustainable hemp linen or organic cotton cloths. The patterned fabrics are colored with non-toxic, water-based inks, which don't leech harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Even the rivets are relatively green as they're sculpted by hand rather than mass produced.

I'm particularly fond of this Skiver clutch, with its bold white zigzag hand printed pattern popping against the black upcycled leather. At $68 it also won't put a dent in my budget!

All the label's accessories are carefully handcrafted in Love Mert's Californian studio to minimize its carbon footprint. They're then sold through selected American boutiques and Love Mert's website.

[Source: Love Mert website]

Just like the rest of the English Retreads range, the label's iPad sleeve is carefully crafted from reclaimed truck and tractor inner tubes. These hardy materials help protect all iPad models from impact damage, while the soft recycled PET fabric lining prevents scratches. All the while the materials keep waste from landfill and have a low impact on the planet.

English Retreads' founder and designer, Heather English, says the iPad sleeve's release builds on her company's commitment to integrating fashion and environmental consciousness.

"With the release of the iPad Sleeve we are excited to lead the market in innovative, repurposed material use, while simultaneously delivering on functionality with a fashion forward style all our own," she said.

Since its inception in 2002, English Retreads has paved the way for other sustainable fashion labels, proving that accessories can be both chic and sustainable. The launch of its iPad Sleeve shows the Boulder-based company is committed to keeping pace with the accessory needs of modern women.

English Retreads' new iPad sleeve is available at more than 75 boutiques across the United States and the English Retreads website.

[Source: PRWeb]
[Image Source: English Retreads website]

English Retreads Bags on eBay

The Violet and Slate bags are made of animal-friendly fabrics in striking purple and gray hues. They're then finished off with natural wood detailing and chemical-free embroidery. Even the dying process is free of chemicals and other harmful pollutants.

Canopy Verde's new collections were inspired by a variety of sources. The company's founder Linda Wong says everything from the urban beauty of Prospect Park to the minimalism of mid-century Danish design informed the aesthetics. And as a mother of two toddlers, she's ensured the new accessories are practical for busy women, no matter what their situation.

The Cassia Weekender pictured is already slated to become one of Canopy Verde's most popular new bags. Its wire-frame opening and distinctive silhouette are modelled on the classic doctor's bag. Canopy Verde has also released a smaller version, called the Cassia Mini, for everyday use.

All too often companies charge a premium for going green, so it's refreshing to see Canopy Verde’s new Violet and Slate bags are affordable priced between $79 and $199. They're available from Canopy Verde’s website and selected boutiques in North America and Australia.

[Source: Your Story]
[Image Source: Canopy Verde website]

Canopy Verde Bags on eBay

Fleabags is the brainchild of fashion designer Shira Entis and her lawyer pal Alex Bell, two fleamarket addicts frustrated by the scourge of plastic bags. When they couldn't find a suitable green alternative for fleamarket hopping, they set about creating their own.

Fleabags strives to balance eco-friendly design principles with modern good looks. Its accessories are crafted from organic and vintage materials, including recycled leathers, sourced from across the United States. The fabrics are colored with natural vegetable dyes and water-based inks before being hand-sewn into Fleabags distinctive creations.

Fleabags appreciates the weathered qualities of its vintage leathers, and prefers to leave the skins naked. This doesn't just let the material's natural beauty shine through. It also eliminates the harmful chemicals used in many leather treatments, thus minimizing Fleabags carbon footprint.

As its bags are crafted with vintage materials, Fleabags creates only a small number of each limited edition design. This is perfect for girls who prefer to stand out in a crowd.

Fleabags bags are available from the label's online store and selected boutiques around the world.

[Source: Fleabags website]

The Californian based designer believes in zero waste, so she uses recycled leather and suede to create all her handbags. By using reclaimed leather, Springer reduces her carbon footprint, but it's not purely a green measure. The age has brought a delicious natural patina to the leather and a sumptuous buttery softness that only comes with wear. The animal skins are naturally colored with vegetable dyes and then lined with organic hemp-cotton fabric.

By using reclaimed materials, Springer ensures that every bag from her collection is a true original. She puts her stamp on traditional shapes like satchels, tote bags, and clutch purses. Her handmade designs are generally contemporary and clean, without the frills and over embellishments that plague so many modern designs. Yet she's not above indulging in some girly froth, as her tutu inspired Tulle Clutch shows! However the utilitarian Soft-T bag pictured is much more indicative of Beth Springer's style.

Eco-conscious lads aren't forgotten either; Beth Springer also has a small menswear collection featuring a messenger bag and a range of colored wallets.

Beth Springer's bags are available from selected boutiques across North America and her website.

[Source: Beth Springer]

Beth Springer Bags on eBay

NWT BETH SPRINGER retail $250 lime green pony clutch handbag handmade california US $175.00   Auction Ends: 2d 4h 47m Make it yours...

Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa has teamed up with paper firm Onao for a sustainable limited edition accessories collection. The SIWA range features eco-friendly purses crafted from an innovative new fabric dubbed naoron.

The versatile material comes from wood pulp combined with either the polymer polyolefin or recycled polyester. Onao has pioneered the material, which is crafted using traditional Japanese washi-suki paper making practices. The resulting material has a soft leathery suppleness that should impress fashionistas. It's also resistant to tearing and water damage. And perhaps most pleasing for the planet, it's also very eco-friendly. It won't even release harmful chemicals if it's incinerated!

The SIWA name is derived from the washi-suki process which gives the bags their unique crinkled finish. The SIWA range features a diverse selection of accessories, from the small case and string and button envelope to the larger totes and briefcase. The prices are very reasonable for any accessories made using new technology. The small purses cost just $48, while the briefcase pictured is the most expensive item at $150.

The idea of paper bags becoming everyday accessories might take some time to get used to, but I'm sure eco-warriors will quickly embrace the new technology.

[Source: Ecouterre]

The comprehensive Eco Art Bags line features everyday cross-body bags and totes alongside convenient cosmetics travel cases and clutch purses. Each one is crafted from organic cotton emblazoned with an original art work from an American artist, along with their signature. The illustrations are colored using chemical-free water-based dyes to maintain their eco credentials.

The artist's biography is included on the hangtag so customers can learn more about the person that's created the design they love. Each hangtag is made from recycled paper, as is the wrapping paper used for shipping.

The interiors of the Eco Art Bags are as impressively as their colorful exteriors. Inside you'll find multiple organizational pockets, key fobs, and green organic lavender fabric linings.

The designs are attractive if a little kitschy. They have even more appeal this month though, with free domestic shipping for all Eco Art Bags purchased through EcoPlum during April. And remember that as with all EcoPlum products, your purchase earns EcoChipz reward points, which can be exchanged for discount coupons or donated to green charities. Have these artistic new eco-friendly bags inspired you?

[Source: PR Web]

Art Totes on eBay

PRE OWNED COACH 15935 CRIMSOM RED MADISON DOTTED OPT ART SOPHIA SATCHEL TOTE BAG US $189.99   Auction Ends: 42m Make it yours...

Fuschia8 Fun Flamingo Hand Painted Art Tote Bag Hollywood Style New US $43.95   0 Bid Auction Ends: 44m Make it yours...

The new Anokimobi range is crafted entirely from organic, biodegradable cotton and embellished with recycled materials. The fabrics are then decorated with eye-catching prints and bold colors. The company is careful to only use eco-friendly dyes and production methods when manufacturing its accessories.

The new Anokimobi accessories are practical too, with a host of discreet pockets for credit cards, coins, and even headphones. It's also the only tech range to contain Biomaster anti-bacterial silver ions, a natural way to minimize everyday germs.

Anokimobi's director Tom Tranter says the introduction of the wallets and e-pouches builds on the company’s tradition for eco-friendly accessories. He says the new collection is designed for "tech savvy women and men who want to make a style statement, but in a conscious way."

All too often we're charged a premium for going green, so I'm thrilled to see Anokimobi is bucking that trend. It proudly shuns those "green price tags" to make its products more accessible to consumers. The Anokimobi e-pouches are available from ₤12.99 from the E-Pouch website.

[Source: PR Web]

Carmina Campus, the eco-friendly passion project of fashion royalty Ilaria Venturini Fendi, has released a limited edition collection of bags using parts from classic Mini Roadsters.

The Carmina Campus for Mini collection features 50 unique accessories, including daytime clutch purses and large laptop bags. The purses are crafted from the color samples, material offcuts, and other refuse from the production of the historic convertible car. The British built Mini Roadster was a significant achievement for the label, as it was the company's first open top two-seater vehicle.

Fendi said he was inspired by the Mini Roadster’s materials, such as "the canvas from the convertible roofs rejected after tests or the small metal plates obtained from scraps of the car body."

The accessories range is designed to appeal to male and female car enthusiasts and eco warriors alike. It's impressive the way these bags pay obvious homage to the Mini Roadsters without appearing kitschy. I love the way the clutch features the Mini's door handle, and the travel tote is crafted from seatbelts and extra upholstery. The interior of each Carmina Campus for Mini bag is embroidered with a unique number to remind us of its exclusivity.

The Carmina Campus for Mini purses aren't cheap with prices ranging from €350 to €700, but they're also not unreasonable for such unusual, limited edition items.

[Source: Ecouterre]

Mini Car Bags on eBay

Ecogear have added new Dually backpacks, especially created for kids, to its sustainable accessories line.

All Dually backpacks are crafted entirely from natural, water-resistant cotton. The fabric is then colored with non-toxic dyes. The material is complemented by recycled plastic components. Its straps are padded to protect young shoulders, and they're perfectly proportioned for tiny bodies. I also really like the insulated cooler compartment built into the front pocket, which should keep snacks and drinks cool at school or the playground.

The colors and prints are very clearly designed to appeal to common gender lines, which may disappoint more liberal parents. That old pink is for girls and blue is for boys notion is a bit tired, yet here we see solid pink and blue, and patterns with pink bears and blue dinosaurs. At least the blue and pink aren't those sickly sweet shades that adorn baby clothes. Even so, some more colors that aren't so gender divisive would really widen the Dually backpacks appeal.

If you've fallen for the Dually backpacks I'd snap one up quickly. They're currently priced at just $19 for an introductory period. I'm not sure how expensive they'll be once that time's lapsed, but I wouldn't wait around to find out! They're available now from the Ecogear website.

[Source: Inhabitots]

Kids Backpacks on eBay

Newest Pixar Cars 2 Lightning McQueen Schoolbag Red Backpack Kids Child Present US $.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 21m Make it yours...

Baby Kid Backpack Schoolbag child Cartoon Animal Shoulder Bag K0204 2 US $24.29   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1h 28m Make it yours...