June 25, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer

The Bag Forum five Bag Giveaway!

The 5 Prize:
> The Orange Pallie Bag. Retail $350. A delicious juicy orange tote, perfect for any daily summer mission.

> Kate Spade License Plate Canvas Shopper. Retails $245. Eco tote or day tote. Whichever you choose, this is a great choice for summer. Plus you have a chance to score this Kate Spade for free! How cool is that?!

> The next 3 “runners up” will receive whichever TBF eco tote of their choosing. The TBF eco totes are designed be fellow tbf’er, made with 100% eco friendly material, plus a portion of the proceeds are donated to oceana

How to Enter: All you have to do is finish the form HERE. By entering your info you will be automatically entered in the drawing pool to win one of these 5 bags!

Dates: The contest will run until July 8th, 11:59am pst. The winners will then be crowned shortly after.

Want to buy from the designers featured in this giveaway:
Shop Palie
Shop Kate Spade
Shop the TBF Modie designed Eco Totes (Portion of the proceeds to be donated to Oceana! Every dollar counts!!)

Current discussion: The Bag Forum five Bag Giveaway!

June 11, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer

Special Edition Hermes Kelly Bag: Proceeds to fight Aids in Monaco
Brief History: It all began in the 1880′s, when the legendary house began as making saddles under the name of Hermes-Freres. Then by the 1920′s Hermes introduced their first line of ladies handbags.

In 1956 while pregnant with Princess Caroline, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco was photographed in New York City by Life Magazine carrying the large black crocodile Kelly bag, which was used to cover her pregnant tummy. After this image appeared on the cover of Life Mag, the bag became a hit and was later renamed the Kelly bag.

Hermes created a limited edition Kelly bag for Artcurial’s annual Hermes vintage sale, featuring a portrait of Grace Kelly printed on canvas.

Guess how much the bag sold for… $80,906, with all proceeds from the sale of the bag going to Princess Grace’s daughter Princess Stephanie’s charity Fight Aids Monaco.

[ The Bag Forum: Hermes Kelly Bag: Proceeds to fight Aids in Monaco ]

June 5, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer
Louis Vuitton has been mentioned quite frequently in the news lately. Below is just a minor sampling of a few cases making headlines.

Dooney & Bourke Wins Ruling In Multicolore Bag Battle With Louis Vuitton
The battle is over. American teen-targeted fashion brand Dooney & Bourke just won a trademark battle with high-end fashion company Louis Vuitton, in a battle for the multicolore rights.

In April 2004, Louis Vuitton alleged that Dooney & Bourke’s “It Bag” line featuring a DB monogram infringed on its Monogram Multicolore handbag collection, which has a colorful LV monogram and was a collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami.

A Manhattan federal judge made the ruling that Dooney & Bourke’s “It Bag” monogram design in no way infringes on Vuitton’s Monogram Multicolore handbag collection.

Seriously, have you guys ever confused the two designs? Not only is the font different but also the coloring is not the same.

The judge in the case wrote in the decision that was issued, that Louis Vuitton “offered no proof that the similarities in the marks is likely to confuse ordinary consumers, whether it is at the point of initial interest, point-of-sale, or post-sale,” and that although there are similarities between the two designs, Vuitton’s LV mark used a larger font size and consisted of “a combination of letters and shapes,” while the Dooney & Bourke design featured an unadorned DB.

Continue the DB vs LV chat!

Louis Vuitton Vs. Artist Nadia Plesner
More courtroom drama involving the famous Louis Vuitton multicolore. LV is suing Darfur Fundraiser and Artist Nadia Plesner for Copyright Infringement.

Fashion house Louis Vuitton has filed charges against a 26 year old student artist for selling posters and t-shirts of a Darfur victim, holding a designer bag inspired by a Louis Vuitton design. Through her Simple Living campaign, started in October 2007, Plesner created products (in Paris Hilton style) with the image of a Darfur victim with a chihuahua and a Louis Vuitton purse. All proceeds were to benefit Divest for Darfur.

Continue the Louis Vuitton Vs. Artist Nadia Plesner chat!

Louis Vuitton Vs. Google
Louis Vuitton wants google adwords to knock it off! Europe’s highest court is expected to hear a trademark infringement suit involving French retailer Louis Vuitton and search giant Google and their keyword advertising system Adwords.

Problem is that companies that sell replicas buy up all the Google AdWords related to your google search. The keywords are used to place ads related to a person’s search terms using Google’s search engine or in Web pages with similar content. An example of this would be, say you are searching for a “Louis Vuitton Handbag” — of course you may be thinking authentic– but google’s search engine offers terms such as “Louis Vuitton replicas” and “Louis Vuitton knockoffs”.

The reason why Google is in the spotlight for the actions of third parties is because it makes money from their use of AdWords. Also, because Google’s automated system suggests alternatives for keywords that advertisers are looking for, Google plays some part in the use of these trademarks (for example, AdWords might suggest that an advertiser use “fake Louis Vuitton” after they indicate an interest in “Vuitton”).

Continue the Louis Vuitton sues Google Adwords chat!

June 4, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: BrS

Vert Renewable Straw East-West Tote
Summer is here! Its time for fun in the sun at the beach (or at the very least, your neighborhood swimming pool)! And of course, you’re going to need a place to keep your beach towel, sunnies, snacks, etc. What better way to keep everything together than a straw beach tote? Pictured above is the Renewable Straw East-West Tote from Vert. Not only is this bag beach-ready, its good for the environment too! Like all Vert handbags, the bag is made completely of environmentally-friendly materials. The body is crafted of renewable straw and the handles are constructed of certified organic cotton. The bag comes complete with that cute little knit ball keychain/charm thingie you see in the picture.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? But that is not all ladies! Yep, there is more to this bag than meets the eye. This bag also donates 5% of its net profits to saving the environment. And… (drumroll), its on sale! The bag has been marked down from $114 to an incredibly affordable $57. Check out the Vert Renewable East-West Tote over at Dillard’s. And while you’re there, take a look at their other Vert handbags (all of which are on sale).

[ The Bag Forum: Vert Renewable Straw East-West Tote ]

May 29, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer

Emmy Award-winning actress, television personality and talk show host Kelly Ripa has teamed up with Electrolux, a new line of premium appliances from Europe’s leading premium appliance brand, to help fight ovarian cancer.

As part of its commintement to raise more than $500,000 for The Ovarian Cancer Fund (OCRF) over the next two years, Elecrtolux is auctioning off several of the actual handbags used in “Kelly’s Bags,� a fun, first-of-its-kind online game that captured the imaginations of tens of thousands of women this Spring while helping to raise funds for OCRF.

The mission of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.

Help fight against ovarian cancer! Visit the ebay page.

Continue Reading

May 27, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Vanessa

Madonna’s $471,000 Chanel Bag
Now we all love a good Chanel bag, but do you think you could you love one enough to pay $471,000 for it? Well that is how much somebody paid for Madonna’s Chanel bag at the annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit when it was auctioned off. The bag features alligator leather and a clasp studded with 334 diamonds. It was the bag that Madonna carried to the benefit and included everything she carried in the bag including, Shu Uemura blotting paper and lip gloss, lip balm, a magnifying mirror, and throat lozenges.

Now I guess this bag has a lot to offer. First off, its simply a beautiful Chanel bag….alligator leather and a diamond clasp. That is definitely a one of a kind bag that not everyone can get. Secondly, this is Madonna’s bag! Madonna! The queen of pop! I mean owning anything of hers is pretty awesome, let alone a Chanel bag with all of her belongings in it. Lastly, the money went to benefiting an AIDS charity.

Now, not many of us could pay $471,000 for a Chanel bag, but I guess overall this was a pretty good buy that benefited a great cause. Go Madonna!

[ The Bag Forum: Madonna’s $471,000 Chanel Bag ]

May 26, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Deysa

Beau Soleil Denim Beau Bag
Happy Memorials Day, guys!!! So what Memorial Day plans do you Bagista’s have? Have you got a great outfit picked out too? What about your handbag? Are you going to bust out your patriotic red, white, and blue purse or are you going to keep your look casual, with a normal looking handbag?

I am one of those gals who does not own a patriotic handbag. Reasons being, I have yet to find a good looking one to call my own. Over at Shop Bop (dot com), I spotted one of my favorite eco-friendly handbag designs, totally redone! Meet the Denim Beau Bag by Beau Soleil. This organic tote bag sports a similar straightforward message as it’s previous did, “Reduce, Recycle, Renew America�!

Other alteration done on this newbie includes a faded (recycled) denim body, rather than an organic canvas body like it’s original design has. Red double roped shoulder straps are the perfect touch and compliment the denim perfectly. I think I’d like this bag a bit more if the denim were darker rather than light. Other than that, I think this bag is great. It’s message, and overall design are suitable (and patriotic) enough for my taste. Plus, the Denim Beau carries an awesome price tag of only $55!!!

Pick up this everyday tote, here: shopbop.com!

[ The Bag Forum: Beau Soleil Denim Beau Bag ]

April 22, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer
Celebrate Earth Day with these Eco-Friendly Bags!
Happy Earth Day everyone. In celebration of this day, of course I thought it would be suiting to put up a post of a couple stylish earth friendly bags.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Hippy Miss Marc & Penguin
I just spotted these on the Marc Jacobs official website. There the latest Fall 2008 bags from the designer’s second, less-expensive (than his main line) Marc by Marc Jacobs line. Look like Miss Marc has transformed once again to an eco-loving hippy. Very cool. Plus look at that penguin tote, how cute is that? None of the proceeds from these bags go to any organization, but it sure gets the message out – in a fashionable and adorable way.

Find it @ MarcJacobs.com

Juicy Couture California “Go Green� Bag
BagBliss blogger Deysa said this about the this Juicy Couture tote: Do you want a bag that literally makes a statement? If so, look what I discovered via Saks Fifth Avenue’s website, a new design to the California canvas totes by Juicy Couture. This California Go Green Canvas Bag is a roomy tote that displays the words “GO GREEN� throughout the front of the bag. Arrows forming a “recycle� heart can be found on the tote’s opposite end. The tote’s message is self-explanatory, basically this bags significance is to make a change and to do it in style! Now I’m not going to ramble on and on about the advantages of going green, but I do feel that the whole recycling and reduction of daily materials concept, does have an importance when it comes to changing simple habits for the good will of Mother Earth.

On this tote, you can find a full canvas body made of recycled organic compounds. It’s printed (green) interior reads “Juicy Couture� and the brands Yorkie pups can also be found on the totes front end corner. If you’re in search of a grocery shopping bag, a travel or book bag that isn’t going to hurt your pockets, why not this one? It’s durable, cute and only 75 bucks!

Find it @ Saks Fifth Avenue for $75

Beau Soleil Reduce, Recycle & Renew Bag
Three words: Reduce, Recycle & Renew. The eco-conscious newbie from designer Beau Soleil wants you and everyone around you, well anyone you walk past, to have mother earth on their conscience 24-7 and remember to Reduce, Recycle & Renew. A fashionable way to encourage environmental friendliness..

How much will this RR&R tote set you back? Not much. Each organic raw-cotton canvas tote retails for $44. It features a couple easy access, snap-patch pockets on all sides, spacious interior ideal for a market sack or beach tote, and a couple snap closure pockets in the interior.

Find it @ Saks Fifth Avenue for $44

Leftover Bags Realfashion Tote & Thankyoulady Tote
Plastic Bag Facts:
- Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. Billions end up as litter each year.

- According to the EPA, over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year.

- Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.

- Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photodegrade—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways and entering the food web when animals accidentally ingest.

John Baker & Robin Lee, the anti-plastic tote designer’s behind the brand Leftover Bags, created these two bags. At this moment Leftover’s is sold exclusively at ShopBop, where you will spot only 4 designs by these designers. Pictured above are my two favorites from their current line: Realfashion Tote made of organic-cotton canvas and decorated with a recycle symbol fashion show graphic at front and logo graphic at back. Thankyoulady Tote which is also made with organic-cotton canvas and detailed with girl graciously picking up a plastic bag graphic.

These bags would make a great shopping tote in replace of those plastic bags. Plus they only retail for only $38 a pop.

Find it @ ShopBop for $38

[ The Bag Forum: Celebrate Earth Day with these Eco-Friendly Bags! ]

April 14, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: BrS

Julia Cocco ‘Degrade’ Patent Eco-leather Clutch
Everyone seems to have Green Fever lately. Going Green has been becoming more and more popular over just the last couple of years. And now, designers have been jumping on the bandwagon as well. Gee, I feel like I’m in the early 90′s all over again… but in a good way! I remember how saving the planet was a huge deal back then. Reduce, reuse, recycle and giving a “hoot”. But after just a few short years, the hype died down. Nobody cared about helping the environment anymore.

So what happened that caused this renewal of interest? Is it all the celebrities that have been photographed shopping with reusable shopping totes? Or, for that matter, all of the celebrities that have been photographed naked for PETA’s anti-fur campaign? I can’t really say for sure. And although I don’t agree with everything when it comes to the new Green Movement, I can definitely say that this is something good. It’s all those flashbacks I keep having about the poor polar bear in Al Gore’s movie, makes me feel like I need to make the effort to be more environmentally conscious.

So what does all of this have to do with the Degrade Patent Eco-Leather Clutch by Julia Cocco pictured above? Well, it has to do with the “eco-leather” part. When I first saw this bag, I thought it was gorgeous. But, I admit, I didn’t know exactly what eco-leather was. So I looked it up on the Green Consumer Guide website and here’s what they had to say:

Quote:
This material is made from 80% cotton and 20% synthetic micro-fibre. Eco-leather shares the same characteristics as ordinary leather, yet has many benefits. Colouring for instance is a much simpler process, and the material does not wear or flake over time.

Hmm… a material that looks, feels, and behaves like leather but isn’t really leather. I have yet to see how well this material actually wears, but I think sounds pretty cool. I hate that yucky PVC plastic stuff that they make cheap-o handbags out of, but this material sounds different. My hope would be that it would last just as long as real leather and not fall apart.

Julia Cocco Degrade Patent Eco-Leather Clutch:
Chain Strap
Turnlock Closure
Interior Slip Pocket
Measures 8 2/3″ x 4 1/3″ x 2 1/3″
Available in Violet or Smoky Brown
Retails for $145
Made in Italy

Now you can live Green and own a beautiful designer clutch! The color is just perfect for Spring! This is definitely a win-win situation here! Check it out here: FORZIERI

[ The Bag Forum: Julia Cocco 'Degrade' Patent Eco-leather Clutch ]