Noon designers Jane Palmer and Marianne Fairbanks are putting space age technology into handbags with their innovative line of Solar bags. The women use their backgrounds in fibers and textiles to create high-tech messenger and tote bags.
A wafer-thin flexible solar panel is situated on the outside of each Solar Noon bag. This panel charges a battery pack nestled inside the tote. It’s a great idea for tech addicts, who can charge their cell phone or iPod while they’re on the go. The solar panel collects the sun’s energy during the day, so you can use the battery pack even when the sun goes down.
On a clear, sunny day the battery should be fully charged in six to eight hours, but it might take a bit longer if the weather is overcast. Once it’s topped up, the battery pack’s charge should last for several days.
Solar power is a great eco-friendly energy source, so some green fashionistas may be disappointed to see the Noon Solar bags are made from leather. However, the designers insist that their vegetable-dyed leather is more eco-friendly than the recycled vinyl they used to use, as it can break down or be easily reused later.
I’m not sure what I expected to pay for such technologically advanced bags, but I think Noon’s Solar prices, which hover around the $400 and $500 marks, seem quite reasonable. Is there are a place for these high tech bags in your wardrobe?
