BagTrends.com was launched by Pamela Pekerman (pictured, Right) in April 2005 and has become the online source for those who have a passion for handbags. To date, the site has become a well established online magazine where visitors can read about the latest bag trends as well as shop for that “must-have” items.
BagTrends.com held their first annual Green Arm Candy Party. This eco-friendly shopping extravaganza held at the Union Square Ballroom featured a host of eco-chic handbag designs. Creative Director Michelle Finkelshteyn (pictured, Left) gave us an exclusive private tour of the event where we saw unique handbags creations by Creollus, Teich, Cork Design, Canopy Verde Passchal, Simple Re-Gift It, and FEEDbags. Guests sipped on delicious specialilty drinks by Boomerang Australian Vodka and O.N.E. with wine supplied by Yellowglen.
Congratulations to Pamela and Michelle (pictured above, wearing eco-friendly outfits) on the launch of a great event. GO GREEN!
Pamela & guest
Teens for Safe Cosmetics is a ground breaking coalition led by young woman who work hard to raise awareness about potentially harmful ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products linked to cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm. Their Lips Against Lead table was our first stop, where we learned about the dangers of lead in lipstick and signed the petition (with lead free lipstick) to support the cause. Learn more about the organization here and view the video below.
Simply ReGift It signature the Friendship Gift Bag™ is “designed to help teach and reinforce eco-friendly behaviors”. Each gift bag can be tracked online with a registration number and then re-used and re-gifted.
Creollus used commonly discarded but highly recyclable materials to create their handbags. Here are some of our favorites. Very creative!
This Mandala purse was made with Aluminum.
These chic brief cases were made from Tetrapak carton and coffee filters.
The clutches were made from buriti fibers.
This Cathy purse was made with Newspaper
At Cork Design, Fashion + Ecology = CORK! Bark of a cork tree is harvested from the trees without injury to create the various handbags seen above. The products are resistant to fire and water, and can be cleaned with soap and water.
San Francisco based company, NOAH are known for creating unique designs while using non-leather materials. Their recognizable silhouettes, graphics, and colors are very fashionable and can be found in department stores like Macy’s.
TEICH (pronounced tie-shh) which stands for pond in German was created by Allison Teich McGowan. She uses materials that are gentle to the earth, such as hemp canvas, vegetable-tanned leather, and linens. Check out some of her Spring/Summer 09 looks below.
The Gramercy Tote and Hudson Clutch (Right)
The Rockaway Tote
The Hudson Clutch (Left) and Rockaway Tote (Right)
Linda Wong founded Canopy Verde in Fall 2008 with several pieces ranging from clutches to weekenders. Her material consist of organic cottons, chrome-free leathers, OEKO-TEK 100 certified dyes, and chemical free embroidery. Style icon Sarah Jessica Parker can be seen wearing Wong’s designs.
The Freesia Portfolio
The Dandelion Duffel
The Calamint Clutch
Model and FEED Project Co-founder Lauren Bush (left) and Megan Marino (right) poses with FEED bags products.
The FEED mission statement is “To create good products that help FEED the world”.
Inspired by the aesthetic of the bags of food distributed by World Food Programs, Lauren Bush created the FEED 1 bag, a reversible burlap and cotton bag stamped with “FEED the children of the world” and the number “1” to signify that each bag feeds one child in school for one year.
Click on the link above to find out more.
Dr.’s Remedy provide complimentary manicures which is free from toxins, while Manicure on the Move painted guests nails.