Tahari and Rossum handbag collaboration

There is a great deal of buzz surrounding the collaboration of Elie Tahari and actress/singer Emmy Rossum for this bucket bag so appropriately titled “Emmy.” You may have seen Rossum sporting many Tahari designs at various glam events; it is this very fashion relationship that sparked the designer and actress to come together on this stylish project.

The duo joined forces to make this everything-fits bag with the side note that everything fits because there are compartments for it all! Now that’s what I call an organizer’s dream. Rossum commented that she hates when her iPod and makeup gets jumbled together in a larger bag, so she set out to change the way we scour for our lip gloss.

This leather bag comes in four different sizes and ranges in price from $398 to $798 accordingly. The leather detailing makes the Emmy more than your typical black handbag, but doesn’t limit you from wearing it with any outfit during any season. They will be hitting Tahari collection boutiques this March, so keep an eye out!

A portion of the proceeds from the Emmy bag will go towards Safe Horizon, a charity that aids victims of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, rape and sexual assault, in addition to homeless youth and families of homicide victims. They are the largest victims’ services agency in the United States (comprised of 57 locations) and lend hope and help to more than 250,000 children, adults, and families affected throughout New York City every year. Safe Horizon began in 1978 and have continued to provide the resources and be advocates for those in need.

A bag for a great cause? Definitely worth it! You’ll be able to take a piece of Tahari and Rossum with you wherever you go.

Coach's Mia Maggie bag

With October still in full swing, here are your top 5 handbags that support breast cancer!

Coach‘s Mia Maggie handbag wears pink proudly in honor of breast cancer awareness.  This limited edition, rose-colored handbag pulls out all the stops and has a pocket for everything you need to put inside of it.  Better yet, 20% from each sale (the bag retails at $358) will go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The mission of this incredible organization is to help find both prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. BCRF funds extensive research worldwide and increases public awareness about proper breast health. In its sixteenth year of operation, BCRF has certainly done a great deal, but still needs your continued support to find a cure for breast cancer.

Ralph Lauren wallet

Here’s a little something for inside your handbag or for when you don’t need much for a night out!  Ralph Lauren has introduced this hot pink alligator wallet in conjunction with the company’s Pink Pony Fund.  100% of the sales from this wallet support programs for screening, diagnosis, and treatment and research, as well as bringing patient navigation to medically underserved communities. The Pink Pony Fund supports several organizations worldwide.

This elegant pink clutch wallet is crafted from hand-selected American alligator, and its eye-popping hue cannot be missed.  Add a little pizazz to your LBD with this clutch!

Lauren Merkin clutch

Lauren Merkin has come together with the Young Survival Coalition to support breast cancer.  50% of the proceeds from the pink studded lambskin clutch will go directly to this organization. YSC supports women on a global level and is dedicated to the unique issues directly related to young women (ages 40 and below) with breast cancer. Their goal is to increase the quality AND quantity of life for these young women.

The Lauren Merkin clutch is studded with Swarovski crystals and can be used for every type of event.  Keep the strap on for an over the shoulder look or go strapless for a luxurious affair–either way you can’t go wrong.  The clutch retails for $275.

Betsey Johnson tote

When Betsey Johnson mixes with the iconic Marilyn Monroe, you absolutely cannot go wrong.  This limited edition Betsey Johnson tote benefits two of the designer’s favorite charities, the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund and the Weill Cornell Breast Center of the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.  Johnson, a cancer survivor herself, was treated at the very same New York-Presbyterian Hospital where some of the proceeds of this tote will go.

Retailing at $75, you’ll have an excellent excuse to incorporate this tote into your wardrobe. It is great for traveling and when you need the extra space for your on-the-go lifestyle.  A nice touch:  the attached coin purse that reads “‘I am a survivor.” Talk about a powerful message from an incredibly strong woman.

Gucci for UNICEF special edition Sukey bag

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To mark the 6th year of the Gucci partnership with UNICEF, Gucci is offering this sophisticated Sukey bag from April 2010 through February 2011.  The luxury firm will donate 25% of its proceeds from the special edition Sukey bag to UNICEF.

“From a distance, Miteme Junior Primary School look slike a marketplace with vendors in school uniform.  On close inspection, one realizes this is a school without a single classroom.  Classes one to five are all held under trees; only class five has desks.”  As reporter Kusali Kubwalo writes for UNESCO, Kusali paints a poignant picture of the inadequacy of educational infrastructure in Lilongwe, Malawi.  This perspective is representative of many education systems in Africa, reflecting on my visit to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in 2007, nearly 70 students are crammed into a classroom that would normally seat 30 according to Western standards.

The funds raised will benefit UNICEF’s ‘Schools for Africa’ programs in Malawi and Mozambique, where children are not only deprived of education opportunities, nearly one million of them have lost their parents by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Sukey bag is designed by Creative Director Frida Giannini who also named it “La Pelle Guccissima.”  The bag is derived from a classic Gucci design adorned with its iconic monogram.  The elegant grey is both sophisticated and versatile, whether you sport it as arm candy, or wardrobe essential, the Sukey is appropriate for all four  seasons.

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Linea Pelle Alyssa Clutch, on sale for $98 - 50% of proceeds go to either UNICEF or Doctors Without Borders (your choice).

We all know the celebrities have come out en masse to support the awful earthquake in Haiti, so it’s about time luxury caught up! Leather goods brand Linea Pelle is generously marking down the prices of a selection of its handbags and giving 50% of the profits to your choice of charities – UNICEF or Doctors Without Borders.

The selection is quite limited, but I think the Alyssa Clutch (featured in the image) is a winner and it’s half off!

Founded in 1946 in response to the desolation caused by WWII, UNICEF – United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund – is the world’s leading advocate for children, with programs in over 190 countries. Focusing on practical ways to alleviate the symptoms of poverty and devastation, UNICEF works to secure children’s universal human rights as outlined by the UN.

Founded in France in 1971, Doctors without Borders is an international medical non-profit providing humanitarian and emergency care to people in over 60 countries affected by desolation, armed conflict and epidemics.

Jimmy Choo, the third member of the shoe triumvirate (Jimmy, Manolo & Christian) has joined the others in creating a line for charity.

Choo has partnered with the Elton John AIDS Foundation to support the Simelela Rape Center in South Africa  by donating 25% of all proceeds from his new line to the center.

The iconic collection, dubbed Project PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), includes handbags, flip flops, sandals, flats, bracelets and accessories. All products feature a collage of signature Jimmy Choo details like snakeskin, leather, grommets, graphic artwork and Choo’s label.

The fun and flirty sandals, featured on the model in the image above, are available at Saks for $975.

The Simelela Rape Center was created to address the physical and emotional needs of rape victims in its South African community. Sexual violence is a huge problem there and Simelela offers hope to women in their darkest hour providing post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV transmission prevention and trauma counseling.

Jimmy Choo Project PEP collection, prices range from $95 for flip flops to $995 for a large handbag - 25% of proceeds support the Simelela Rape Center in South Africa

Naomi Campbell modeling the Spring/Summer 2010 Louis Vuitton bag, $2,789 – a portion of proceeds to benefit the White Ribbon Alliance

Louis Vuitton, the ultra-famous French luxury house, has partnered with supermodel Naomi Campbell to support the White Ribbon Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to reducing maternal mortality.

Naomi partnered with Marc Jacobs, the creative director of LV, to design the bag made of khaki metallic monogram canvas stripes, embroidered on colored metallic leather with natural leather trim which retails for $2,789. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Alliance.

The model is a global ambassador for the organization, which has lobbied world leaders since 1999 to support safe motherhood initiatives and empowered women to demand safe and respectful medical services. The Alliance also works to address the effects of poverty, HIV/AIDS, armed conflict, gender inequalities on safe motherhood.

“People say fashion people don’t do anything. We do a lot,” Naomi Campbell said in an interview (she’s also donating the proceeds from her auction of Hermès bags to the charity). I couldn’t agree more but think that fashion and luxury still have a lot more to do. Why? Because they can.

Versace Art Unites Tote, $250 - 100% of profits go to children's charities

I was walking back from Saks yesterday on my lunch break and noticed one of these funky, whimsical totes in the window of Versace. Over the summer, the Italian fashion heavyweight in collaboration with the Whitney Museum of American Art enlisted the help of 1,400 children in China and the US (who have been affected by illness or earthquakes ) to design these limited edition tote bags.

Just launched in October, each one-of-a-kind tote is printed with original drawings by these kids centered around the theme of friendship. The tote also features a tag with the name and age of the child who designed it, making it quite a personal and extra meaningful fashion statement!

100% of the proceeds from theses totes will be donated by Versace to the One Foundation and the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The One Foundation was founded by actor Jet Li and the Chinese Red Cross and provides aid to those people affected by the earthquake in China’s Sichuan province. The Starlight Children’s Foundation works to create programs that educate, entertain and inspire seriously ill children and their families.

 ”I have been blessed with incredible success in my life,” explains Donatella.  “And part of that success means being able to give back to people in need.  As a mother, children’s causes are especially close to my heart…”

The totes are available in Versace stores nationwide and online at Gilt.

Donatella with one of Versace's newest designers

This year -2009- , they have designed clutches, men’s and women’s t-shirts and jeans which can be bought online or at boutiques carrying the R&R label.

They project to make $10M from the collection, setting aside $5M to set up the foundation and donate to various non-profits and the other $5M to go to City of Hope. R&R will also be generating funds for City of Hope by hosting fundraisers throughout the year including concerts, film festivals and shopping events.

Based in California, City of Hope is a biomedical research and treatment center which aims to prevent, treat and cure life-threatening illnesses like cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.  It has been around  since 1913 and has performed over 9,000 bone marrow and stem-cell transplants!

Basel clutch in cherry croc-stamped leather, $195 - 100% of profits go to City of Hope

Gucci's Babouska tote for UNICEF, $1,395 - 25% goes to UNICEF

Since 2005 and every year since, Gucci has designed a special collection to benefit UNICEF with 25% of sales from these collections sold in Gucci stores or online going to the non-profit. Between the products, celebrity ambassadors and auctions, the Italian fashion house has done a tremendous job in supporting and publicizing UNICEF’s worthy causes.

Founded in 1946 in response to the desolation caused by WWII, UNICEF – United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund – is the world’s leading advocate for children, with programs in over 190 countries.

Focusing on practical ways to alleviate the symptoms of poverty and devastion, UNICEF works to secure children’s universal human rights as outlined by the UN.

This year (Feb ’09 – Jan ’10) Frida Giannini has designed the Babouska tote featuring Gucci’s signature logo fabric, studded hardware and heart-shaped crest charm. 25% of the sales will be donated to support UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” program in Malawi and Mozambique (both in southeastern Africa bordering the Indian Ocean), where over one million children have been orphaned due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

“Schools for Africa” is an initiative between UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the Hamburg Society whose aim is to promote education for children – focusing the most on those living in extreme poverty.

During the course of its partnership with UNICEF, Gucci has donated over $5M to the organization. For more information on Gucci’s commitment to UNICEF, visit www.gucci.com/unicef

The 2008 initiative featured Rihanna and the Tattoo Heart collection

Up-and-coming jewelry and evening handbag designer Amanda Pearl creates exquisite, one-of-a-kind handbags, necklaces, earrings and bracelets which have been featured in Gossip Girl, Elle and Town & Country. The collection only launched in February 08 and already has 13 POS locations in the US.

The “luxury evening accessories” line is inspired by the fashion and culture of the 50s and 60s . The style is described as “elegant yet refreshingly quirky.”

What makes the bags truly elegant though is the fact that through their “Bags in Action” program, Amanda Pearl actively donates her bags to auctions supporting causes that promote education, child welfare and/or the environment.

Some of the recent recipients include: Heifer.org, New Yorkers for Children, Books for Kids, Girls Inc., The First Tee and World Wildlife Fund. The company offers direct financial support to many of these charities as well.

Violette Alessia clutch in satin with gold-plated hardware, $1,595