Carrying one of the new Dolce & Gabbana 'One-of-a-Kind' bags means you were personally invited to one of a select few events at a D&G boutique, as that's the only way to get one. The collection includes 17 bags made of crocodile skin, pony skin, and suede in various combinations, and the warm, intense color schemes are meant to evoke feelings of the English countryside. Sizes vary from small to big and each bag in the collection is designed for women who want a favorite bag that they carry with them every day to every occasion.
It's a sausage link! It's an intestine! It's a ... chair? It's called The Buldang and it's a 30 foot long plush tube that's designed to be molded into any number of comfortable seating arrangements like an enormous sausage-shaped beanbag (although it's not filled with beans or beads). It does look comfortable but it also looks hilarious -- I don't think I could take it seriously unless it was in a kids room (think how much fun that would be!). Created in Asia and produced by Dupont Neotis Studio, the name stands for "modular armchair-sofa." It's covered in a specially ventilated "climate control" cloth and is selling for $2,380 (no word on other color options).
This Blow Oversized Hobo Bag by Alexander McQueen makes a heavy, dark statement but can still be pretty versatile I think. Probably best saved until fall, this bag features black stamped patent leather (it looks very 'slick') and gold hardware in the form of zippers and little hinges that hold the shoulder straps on. It has a button fastener on the top of the inside and a twill lining, and of course (being a 'hobo') it's positively HUGE, so there's plenty of room for whatever it is you need to tote around town. $2,100
Gallery: Blow Oversized Hobo Bag by Alexander McQueen
It couldn't be more true that in order to have a healthy world we have to have healthy children, and Healthy Child Healthy World is a non-profit organization that makes that principle their main aim by working to protect our youth from harmful environmental exposures. Working through education, laws, governmental agencies, advocacy, and spreading awareness of environmental issues this charity is a no brainer because not only are they helping kids but they're also helping the environment (something we could all be doing more of).
Sparkly and golden, this handbag is sure to make you feel like a rockstar as you make your entrance at whatever event you take it to. It's the Metallic Bracelet Bag from Roberto Cavalli and it's really a two-for-one handbag and bracelet. It features gold metallic leather with a gold bangle bracelet that can either dangle off the bag or dangle on your wrist. It has a clasp closure on the top and a shiny leopard print lining. This is the kind of bag that will make you feel beautiful no matter what kind of day you're having! $1,165
Lighthouse International is one of the nation's leading non-profit organizations working to preserve vision, restore vision, and support people of all ages who suffer from vision loss due to a variety of causes, including everything from cataracts to macular degeneration to accidents. They help people learn to recover and cope and provide them with access to various educational, advocacy, and clinical services.
Lighthouse International was founded in 1905 in New York and they currently have locations in Manhattan and Westchester. Opportunities to get involved include donating money, volunteering, or simply shopping online.
Despite it's deceiving simply shape, I think this VBH Oval Compact Clutch will still catch a lot of eyes because it's so unique. Its hard shell is described as being covered with "red gradiated python leather" but it looks like fuchsia to me (which isn't bad), and it also features silver metal hardware that includes some ornate trim along the top. The inside is lined with luxe suede and features a silver logo plaque. Certainly not a clutch that will go with very many dresses but certainly one that will make a statement when it does.
This bag looks a little dated to me (80's anybody?) but I'm not the fashion police (apparently this look is slated to come back 'in' this fall) and I love the name so thought it was worth featuring. Celine's "Watch Me Dance" Clutch bag is made of patchwork leather in bright color squares on a blue background. It features a flap front with a turnlock closure, an optional shoulder strap, satin lining, and a little padlock with key trinket that dangles off the back. $1,200
Yay! Three cheers for buying cute designer handbags and supporting charity at the same time! Artist and designer Julie Feldman has a gorgeous collection of handbags and has made several of them part of a charity effort called "Handbags for Humanity." Every time you buy a designated bag (on her website the eligible bags are marked with a special logo) a percentage of the profits are sent to various charities that are listed on the website and right now include Center Theater Group, Ellen's Run, Long Beach Women's Cancer League, and Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles.
Gallery: Julie Feldman's 'Handbags for Humanity' Handbags
If you travel a lot it having nice places to stay can get really expensive. The May Fair Hotel in London is looking attract those types of travelers by offering them a way to defray those costs a little: buy one of their hotel suites for an entire year. Of course the price tag is not cheap at $585,000 but it does represent a savings of 60% compared to their regular nightly rates.
It might be nice to be able to leave some things in the suite and treat it like an apartment of sorts (an apartment that includes a daily maid and room service!) but you'd really have to travel a lot to make the cost economical. What do you think, would you do it?
Not the most summery of bags, but Versace's New Madonna Small Boston Bag is more of an "all year goes with everything" bag. Croc-stamped patent leather with a beautiful ombré effect is accented by darker contrasting leather trim and polished silver hardware. A very structured shape with lots of accents like zippers, metal rings, and silver stud details, with the interior featuring a satin lining, zip pocket, patch pocket, and cell phone pocket. It also has a flat base with metal feet and a zip top with a locking Versace pull tab. $1,775
Obviously I see a lot of handbags writing for Luxist and I can usually find something good about them all, but this is one I would truly love to own myself. I love to wear anything that comes in grassy shades of green, and this Ombré Chiffon Clutch by Stella McCartney does it just perfectly in my opinion. Blending from jewel-toned green to black, and looking ultra-feminine in delicately ruched chiffon, this clutch is an instant classic that's a lot more affordable than many other designer bags. Fastens with a zip closure and logo-embossed disc zipper charm along the top, and features satin trim. $395
Philippe Starck has been pretty busy designing stuff lately, considering just a few months ago he was proclaiming that "design is dead" and announcing his retirement. I guess the most creative minds have the most persuasive demons, and it seems Starck is trying to learn from his: after proclaiming that "everything he had ever designed was useless" he's now on to designing something truly useful and trendy: a mini-turbine designed for people to use at home to generate their own wind power.
The mini-turbine is made of clear polycarbonate (the lack of color is apparently a statement about there being so much materiality in the world) and is capable of providing 20-60% of the power needs for the average home. It will be available this coming September with a price tag around $600.
What a happy, flirty evening bag this Hydrangea Roxie is by Julie Feldman. All of Julie's bags are handmade, and in the case of this one a pile of silk hydrangea petals are nestled decoratively on top of a black satin flowerbox-shaped evening bag. The Hydrangea Collection includes bags in white, baby pink, periwinkle, dusty pink, and purple, and each one features front magnetic snap closure and an attached shoulder strap that can be hidden inside when not in use. 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 8", $225.
We Are Together is a film about children living in the Agape orphanage in Africa. It chronicles their lives, individual personalities, and incredible journeys through life. They are also all part of a choir and have recorded an album that coincides with the film (absolutely beautiful music!), with profits from the both the film and CD going to benefit children in South Africa.
There are lots of ways to support the cause, including joining their email list (which includes getting a free music track download), donating money, or simply by purchasing the CD and watching the film (coming soon to HBO).
Lighthouse International
