Her rustic looking tote is adorned with the thought-provoking slogan underneath the minimalist Japanese flag. Its long black straps complement the bold text well, and really pop against the earthy beige background. Turn the bag around and you'll see Rachel Roy's signature with a cute red heart, symbolizing her love for the troubled Asian nation. So many designers forget about the back of their bags, so I'm thrilled to see Rachel Roy’s made a little more effort.

This tote is affordable at $25, and 100% of that money benefits Global Giving, a charity which provides short and long-term aid to the natural disaster's victims. With so many fashion labels skimming a bit off the top of their charity bags, it's refreshing to see one that's completely selfless. We'll probably move on to the next cause before too long, but the telling slogan of Kindness is Always Fashionable will help it remain relevant for several seasons to come.

[Source: The Bag Snob]

Japan Charity Totes on eBay

NWT Kate Spade Japan Relief Tote Canvas Bag US $45.00   Auction Ends: 11d 23h 36m Make it yours...

BN Samantha Thavasa Charity for Japan Tote Bag US $210.00   Auction Ends: 4d 14h 55m Make it yours...

Lauren Bush's FEED Projects is the latest fashion house to dig deep for Japan, following the country's massive earthquake and the tsunami that followed. The altruistic label has created this FEED Japan bag to raise funds for relief efforts.

Organic cotton makes the ideal backdrop for the bright red circle of the Japanese flag on one side, and the words FEED Japan on the other. Each bag is made in the United States, and measures 12 x 19 inches. The long handles, which have a 12 inch drop, should make carrying comfortable when the tote's loaded up. The FEED Japan tote's casual styling is ideal for running errands, carrying fresh produce home from the markets, and holding your trainers and workout clothes.

Food is just part of the project's work though. $10 from the sale of each bag will target the neediest relief initiatives assisting in Japan’s recovery.

The FEED Japan bag is available for $35 from the FEED Projects website. The totes have proved so popular that they're currently on back order, but if you order now you can expect to get yours before the end of the month. Are you a fan of FEED Projects' latest charity bag?

[Source: Ecouterre]

FEED Bags on eBay

FEED projects Iconic FEED 1 Organic Cotton Burlap Reversible Bag NWT US $29.77   2 Bids Auction Ends: 4d 14h 32m Make it yours...

Well, that handbag name is a mouthful, isn't it? Still, this cute Japanese handbag is great fun, even if you can't pronounce it after a couple of drinks.

The purpose of this handbag is more function than fashion. After all, it is designed for carrying your prize possessions: your cameras, and wallet, and maybe even your Gameboy or Nintendo DS. That is why we have the rectangular pouch shape, rather than something funky and fashion-forward. Whilst a little dull, this clearly has its uses.

The design, however, is anything but dull. In fact, the colorful cartoon letters and images make it very, very bright. Thankfully it just avoids being overpowering due to the solid black background, but even so, this is unlikely to be suitable for the office. The skull accessory may be a step too far too, but this can easily be removed.

But what a fun way to carry your camera!

More Features of this Tokidoki Cartoon Messaggio

• Single strap handle
• Fabric exterior
• Diamante skull accessory (removable)

Get this Cute Poco Poco Carry Bag:

• Available to buy on Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

Tokidoki Messaggio Poco Poco Mina Handbag 1283 US $89.99   Auction Ends: 27d 4h 22m Make it yours...

Tokidoki Poco Poco Media CaseAstronauta 6116 US $55.00   Auction Ends: 26d 4h 47m Make it yours...

• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More cartoon bags on BagBunch
• The Hello Kitty quilted head handbag, a great alternative to this kitsch bag.
• Searching for more cartoon bags on eBay

Lady Gaga had neatly penned some Japanese characters on her pure white Birkin with black marker pen. The script roughly translates to "I love small monster, Tokyo Love." She scrawled the same message on her arm. Yes it's wacky and bizarre, but isn't that just what we love about Lady Gaga?

Many of us may gasp at the thought of defacing such an expensive handbag, but isn't that the point? Lady Gaga loves to shock, and surprisingly in this day and age she manages to keep doing just that. Her kooky kind of artistic expression is just what the world needs more of!

[Source: BagSnob]
[Image Source: Stephen Carlile/Wikipedia Commons]

Hermes Birkin Bags on eBay

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A statement from the company says that Versace's Japanese boutiques "no longer represented the brand image and it was felt to be more advantageous for the company to close them and start with a clean slate."

Experts say the Japanese are following world trends for discreet luxury, without the logos and obvious branding of many mass-marketed lines. Instead, the new breed of Japanese stylistas prefer to mix and match outfits with high and low-end fashion items. Whatever the reason behind the shift, it's bad news for a fashion industry already struggling in the face of the financial crisis.

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

Versace Bags on eBay

NEW VERSACE FOR HM BLACK LEATHER STUDDED BAG NEW WITH TAGS US $145.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1h 31m Make it yours...

Versace Vintage Black Sling Bag US $45.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 13h 9m Make it yours...

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The economic crisis has claimed another victim: the proposed Louis Vuitton store in Japan.

Plans to open an LV store in Japan's famous Ginza shopping district are now on hold. The store was slated to be the biggest Louis Vuitton store in the world, with 12 floors spanning 12, 000 square meters.

Japan is considered the French fashion label's most lucrative market, with one third of young women in the country owning a Louis Vuitton bag or item of clothing. But due to the credit crunch, most people are curbing the purchase of such luxury goods.

The decision to stall the store's opening is thought to be the latest indicator Japan is heading for its worst recession since the Second World War. You know that times are tough when Louis Vuitton's staunchest supporters can no longer afford their glamorous goods!

Hopefully once the global economy turns around the store will go ahead as big and beautiful as planned!

[Source: ABC News]
[Image Source: Andy54321/Flickr]

Louis Vuitton Handbags for eBay

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Louis Vuitton Monogram Tivoli PM Handbag Bag US $999.00   Auction Ends: 33m Make it yours...

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The economic crisis might have hit the world hard, but Japanese fashion lovers have some reason to smile. Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior have just lowered their prices in stores across the country.

Louis Vuitton dropped the price of its goods by seven percent last Saturday. The savings see the Japanese paying less for leather goods, accessories, ready-to-wear clothes, shoes, watches, and jewelry.

The fashion house revised the cost of its goods based on their policy "to offer its products at appropriate prices" based on exchange rate fluctuation, manufacturing costs, and quality considerations. The strength of the yen against the euro in recent weeks has been good news for Japanese handbag fans!

And the savings on Christian Dior are even better. A few days ago the French designer slashed the price of its ladies' and mens' bags, small leather goods, and shoes by eight percent.

It sounds like it might be time to book that flight to Tokyo!

[Source: Bag Bliss]
[Image Source: DuReMi/Flickr]

Christian Dior Handbags on eBay

CHRISTIAN DIOR black multicolor butterfly embroidered saddle bag handbag US $229.00   Auction Ends: 2h 30m Make it yours...

Christian Dior women luxury handbag US $2,000.00   Auction Ends: 5h 13m Make it yours...

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Louis Vuitton and Rei Kawakubo, founder of Comme des Garçons, have teamed up for a limited edition handbag range. But if you want to get your hands on one of these prized purses, you'll have to head to Tokyo.

Louis Vuitton has set up shop within the Comme des Garçons store on Kottodori, Omotesando. This is the only place handbag enthusiasts can snare one of six limited edition designs. There will be no phone or internet orders, and no buying in bulk. Shoppers can choose just one of these exclusive designs. Only when the shop closes its doors in the new year will the orders be put into production and then shipped to the customer's local Louis Vuitton store.

The unique project was inspired when Louis Vuitton's chairman Yves Carcelle and artistic director Marc Jacobs met with Ms Kawakubo. She told the pair of the excitement Louis Vuitton caused when it came to Japan in 1978. The trio decided to embark on a venture to generate the same buzz.

"It's creating the sort of feeling that she had. Luxury is the combination of the product and the atmosphere where you buy it," explained Mr Carcelle. "These bags were referring to the past in a hypermodern setting."

All six designs use Louis Vuitton's classic signature print on brown canvas for its links to the past. The Petit Marceau and Sac 2 Poches are adaptations of designs available in Tokyo's original Louis Vuitton store. The Mini HL and Papillon are similar to the bags of old but with the modern additions of multiple handles and animal charms. The final two purses are entirely new, a symbol of the brand's commitment to evolution.

Mr Carcelle is unconcerned that the exclusive bags will alienate some of his fans around the globe.

"It's really for the fashionista who wants to capture that moment. If anyone is really interested, they will go to Japan."

I suppose they will!

[Source: New York Sun]
[Image Source: Sassy Bella]

Louis Vuitton Vintage Bags on eBay

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