I always look forward to goodies from Artecnica ~ so much good stuff ~ and good for the world too! As part of their Design w/ Conscience initiative ~ TBWA (yes the advertising agency massive) approached them to help recycle their billboards... their solution? these adorably inspired Stretch Bags! I have written about a LOT of recycled bags over the years ~ everything from truck tarps to windbreakers to fire hoses to gymnastics horses... but it's been a while since one has been innovative enough to grab my attention like this one!

The Artecnica TBWA Recycled Billboard Stretch Bag is debuting this month and is part of the newest 2009 collection - "A single cut, without glue or a stitch, 100% billboard bag lies flat and weightless but transforms into a shoulder Stretch bag, that can carry up to 33lbs. Perfect for the beach, the gym or market." See more pics on the next page!

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Tags: bag - fashion - gifts - green - luxury - recycled - shopping

I love the work of Sanna Annukka. I also grew up loving Marimekko before i even knew what it was (i have the very beat up kids stuff to prove it somewhere). And when Sanna Annukka designed an animal themed print for Marimekko... yes, i pretty much got super excited. And then today... while exploring the meatpacking districts design week happenings and wandering into the Playful New Finnish Design Shipping Container (regulars will already know my fascination with shipping containers for anything other than shipping)... and then getting to see the Sanna Annukka's Marimekko Kaneleen kutsu pattern in person... and being handed a press kit IN A BLACK AND WHITE TOTE OF THE FABRIC... yea. I was pretty much on cloud 9. I'm totally making that tote into a throw pillow. A throw pillow with handles. That can be hung on the wall when not in use?

BUT back to the point at hand ~ Sanna Annukka's Marimekko Kaneleen kutsu pattern is stunning ~ and i'm so thrilled to have access to the press photos to get to see all the products and patterns up close! And to share them with you! (as well as photos of the totes that the lady was kind enough to let me photograph and pick through in the shipping container) But also, the story behind this pattern is quite lovely as well...

So here's the story from the press release:
Sanna Annukka has created for Marimekko a series of expressive designs full of meaning, telling stories from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. The Kanteleen kutsu fabric depicts forest animals that have, enchanted, gathered to hear the joyful tunes played on the kantele, a plucked string instrument, by Väinämöinen, the main character of the Kalevala. Väinämöinen, a shamanistic hero, had made his instrument from the jawbone of a giant pike. Mugs, tea towels and other ready-made products feature individual animals ñ birds, squirrels, bears ñ picked from the Kanteleen kutsu fabric. The Sampo, a wealth grinding magic mill with a multi-coloured lid, is featured in the impressive Taikamylly fabric and matching cushion covers, plates and trays. The Ihmemaa art print, sold by the repeat, shows the landscape of Kaleva, the Land of Heroes, and Lake Alue. In the depths of the lake, a whitefish has swallowed fire fallen from the heavens. The series also includes the Onnen helmet duvet cover design, which tells of how Väinämöinen, moved as he played the kantele, cried big tears that flowed into the sea and there changed into pearls.

See all the many many pics on the next page!

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Tags: animals - bag - fabric - gifts - graphic - icff - nature - shopping

WINNER!!! Janeen in Gainesville, FL

Yes! Giveaway time! We're giving away 2 Chrome Bags... Here are the two ways to win:

(1) Leave a comment on this post with (a) why you need the weatherproof goodness and (b)which size/color you love most!

(2) TWITTER! Follow @notcot and tweet your favorite size/color with #chromebags in the tweet!

I'll pick a random winner for each one on Monday (so get those in by Sunday midnight PST)!!!

OK, so moving along, WHY are we giving away Chrome Bags? Well they have a lifetime warranty, seatbelt buckles and straps, and a SECRET POCKET and are totally weatherproof! And that's just the classic messenger bag... that beat up one in the picture with the rabbid stashed away is my personal one that i've had for around 4 years now... that thing will survive about anything and has traveled the world with me... so when Chrome reached out saying they were into NOTCOT, i was absolutely giddy. And together we decided it would be fun to share the love with a giveaway to you!

Their company philosophies sum it up nicely: "Chrome was founded in Boulder, CO by a couple of guys who needed a bag that lasted forever. They began sewing in their garage using the toughest material they could find. A company came out of that with a philosophy of building stuff that would function well in tough conditions and would last a lifetime. There's not a lot of nonsense in our gear, just materials and construction that serve a purpose and last a lifetime. We stand behind everything we make." It's great to see they've been expanding the line, working their way into performance apparel and more new bags for 09 in the works... so for now take a peek at the details options on the next page!

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Tags: bag - gifts - giveaway - messenger - shopping

I have a thing for messenger bags and a fascination with bags made of out unexpected recycled materials (i think it started with Freitag in high school) ~ and throughout the life of NOTCOT, we've looked at so many... from truck tarps to sea sails to parachutes to jackets and more... but when i spotted this at Springwise, i did a double, triple, quadruple take...

Zirkeltraining ~ is a german line of bags, wallets, laptop sleeves, etc made from recycled vintage 1950's gymnastics equipment... from pummel horses to floor mats to rescue nets... with some truck tarps thrown in as well... Their photography is also eery but captivating... and the whole thing fascinated me until someone mentioned how many crotches have been on 1950's pummel horse leather... but still... i had to share it with you... so see more pictures on the next page!

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Tags: accessories - bag - gifts - laptop - leather - messenger - recycled - shopping

TO WIN: Leave a comment ~ with where you would go if you could jet set anywhere! ENTER BY 12/15. WINNER: Rabbit in NC!

NOTCOT Holiday Giveaway #27 ~ and it's a big one! Wejetset is ready to hook one reader up with the ultimate travel upgrade, and their founder Taj knows my tastes far too well, since he picked so many NOTCOT faves in this bundle... From the incredibly sleek, can't be missed, minimal Hideo Wakamatsu Wave (Red) Carry-on, to one of my favorite laptop sleeves, Incase Krink 15" Laptop Sleeve, to the Baxter Travel Kit from our favorite men's line, to the adorably understated Field Notes to doodle during your trip, and even STPL Socks, so that during the security line, even your socks are looking good! Clearly Wejetset does not mess around when outfitting you for your next jetsetting adventure... here's one way to go home for the holidays in style (and pampered comfort!)

So here's what you can win in this instant travel makeover of a bundle (over $500 of goods!)
+ Hideo Wave (Red)
+ Baxter Travel Kit
+ Incase Krink 15" Laptop Sleeve
+ Field Notes (3 pack)
+ STPL Socks (Grey & White - 2 pairs)

So are you ready? For a chance to win this, leave a comment about where you would go if you could jet set anywhere tomorrow! I know we could all use a vacation right about now!!!

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Tags: accessories - bag - beauty - fashion - gifts - giveaway - health - laptop - shopping - travel

Ready for more shopping ideas? Well Best Buy is sponsoring our roundups for the next few weeks ~ you know the drill, our picks, they're just supporting us to make it happen! So here's a roundup of awesome bags as found on NotCouture! Click the images to find out more!

Tags: bag - fashion - gifts - roundup

So first i started laughing, then i started wanting it.... how bizarre are these Picnica reusable shopping totes that... you stuff into a bunny! So when you use it the bunny hangs out on the side! Definitely one way to stand out in a farmer's market, distract a child (in bunny form), or make those baggers do a double take...

I just found it over this hilarious reusable bag at our friends at Greener Grass Design ~ PICNICA TOTE BAG by Japanese design house, Eding:Post... also hilarious, Message Tote Bags ~ those, as you can guess, stuff themselves into speech bubbles with text like "Thank you" or "I'm Sorry" ~ see more pics of the rabbit totes and the message totes on the next page!

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Tags: bag - gifts - green - reusable - reusable bag - shopping

On silly discoveries i was probably far too excited about today ~ IKEA now has minis of those giant blue bags! The big blue ones are still 59 cents, and perfect for everything from laundry, gardening, costco, moving and more... and these new mini totes also have the double straps (long shoulder length and short handles). These little ones are only 49 cents ~ and although they weren't actually out with the other big blue ones, asking the check out woman, she had some in her station in a drawer! Unfortunately i didn't have my big camera with me, but here are a few quick snapshots from the IKEA Emeryville store today, and a few more to give you some context about the size (its base is pretty much about the size of a dinner plate) ~ see the rest of the pics on the next page!

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Tags: bag - green - ikea - reusable - reusable bag

Incase Nylon Messenger Bag may be THE perfect messenger bag, their designers have figured out every tiny detail! I've gone through so many messenger bags (from Chrome, Timbuk2, Ordning & Reda, Tumi, a leather old J.Crew, Jack Spade, and more...) ~ but i'm totally impressed with how sleek, lightweight, and detailed this new Incase Nylon Messenger Bag is. As a 5'4" girl, it actually holds my 15" mcp and a lot of other stuff without making me look like a turtle (which is the case with my huge chrome one!) ~ the shoulder strap is sooo nicely cushioned, and brilliant detail to have the padded handle on the bag double as a key ring (good spare key stash?) ~ lots of pockets of varying depths and openings all around ~ and the biggest mystery to me when i first read about this... "plush faux fur" ~ turns out its a velvety soft lush black material to keep your iphone and laptop from being scratched! Nice that the stabilizer strap is completely detachable as well, and its a nice touch to have the large velcro pocket on the front, and that the clips on the main flap are sewn flat (not sure why that matters, but just a detail i really liked - aesthetically sleeker?). Anyhow, enough rambling from me, i took a bunch of pictures of the details for you to get a feel for it yourself on the next page!

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Tags: bag - gifts - incase - messenger - shopping

Crazy weekend here ~ been shopping quite a bit, and prepping for Paris (leave monday!) ~ so figured this was a good time to see what was popular on NotCouture this week! Looks like lots of bags and boots made the list. Click the pics to find out more!

Tags: accessories - bag - fashion - roundup

Random discoveries at Outside Lands include the City Bag Trade ~ Kendra Stanley takes old rain jackets and refashions them into grocery bags... while i'm a bit mixed on the pattern design (which is also downloadable) and the visible edge stitching ~ i do love the material and concept... best part of using rain jackets, other than the lightweight and crazy vintage/recycled logos? Functional Pockets! I gave in and got a NASA one with two button pockets AND a zip pocket! It's a bit large on me though, might have to do some hacking to taking the handles up an inch or so... See more pics on the next page!

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Tags: bag - fashion - green - Outside Lands - recycled - reusable bag

Shit Happens. Dog Poo Bags by Junge Schactel, the design duo, Nina Dautzenberg and Andrea Gadesmann. How cute is their studio puppy, Cuno? And don't these bags just make you wish extremely talented packaging, branding, graphic, experience designers made everything in your world? See more pics below ~ and i'm also totally in love with the branding of Junge Schactel with their pull strip, packaging opening branding that is on their flash, portfolios, and even physically on their business cards!

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Tags: animals - bag - dog - gifts - pets - shopping

NOTCOT Note: Love these awesome necklaces that Anna from Sub-Studio found!

Bernadette Deddens is a London-based accessories designer who views accessories as props that can add small-scale drama to daily life. Her work is playful and often has multiple narratives, requiring interaction by the user. For instance, a necklace that begins by mimicking a checkered linoleum floor but that can be transformed by the wearer into hundreds of configurations, or a bracelet that is both sculpture and bracelet. Check out her shoe accessories after the jump - it's a great collection of add-ons that dress up the shoes that you already have.

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Tags: accessories - bag - jewelry - shoes - sub-studio

Really. A free classic for download on the Hermes site... i thought it was bizarre when Fendi went all DIY with its white canvas baguette that came with Pantone markers, but to see Hermes release Hermes Branded pdf's of DIY cut+glue models of Kelly bags... i just had to laugh. Then press print. Then post.

How do you feel about it? Is it awesome that these luxury brands are reaching out so strongly to a younger demographic? Embracing the DIY/customization trends... taking inspiration from dunnys and paper craft trends? Or does it cheapen the brands? Honestly, i'm pretty out of it, and not sure what to make of it. But first impression is certainly that these could be cute (cheap) branded place cards for a girly dinner party quite easily... See more screenshots and the pdf on the next page!

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Tags: bag - diy - hermes - paper - toys

Happy Early Earth Day (it's tomorrow) - we have a sneak peek from the girls at Delight who are touting this new bag line as the next big thing in the reusable bag market. They were even nice enough to send over a set for me to play with early to share my thoughts... (so my pics of it in comparison to others, on the next page!). These new RuMe bags are larger than any of the others i've come across, which can be good and bad... good: they hold more in less bags! bad: they make me look like a midget when carrying them full... while they are also lightweight - their material is a bit on the crunchier side (mom of the NotEmpire, and our official reusable bag tester explained the difference as... the envirosax felt more like an umbrella material, whereas the RuMes were a bit more like a raincoat)... but i do like the velcro strap that ties these together, and that it hangs INSIDE, unlike the envirosax which leave the button dangling as you carry the bag. Anyhow.... there are two sets of colors, the "Sillicon Valley" greys and blacks, and the "Spring in New York" set of colorful brights. See below for more pics of these in context!

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Tags: bag - green - reusable - reusable bag

Fresh from the inbox, Rich In Craft's new Folie à Deux "represents the quintessential duality of functional feminine artistry," created by L.A. designers, Tiffani Anne Williams and Parker Todd Brooks. So what is this ruggedly feminine bag exactly? From their site:

The body of the bag is soft and beautiful. It is made of 100% wool with a pure quilted silk lining. It was handsewn by local artisans. The handle symbolizes the sharp element of the wild. The horn shape was handcrafted in a custom mold by the designers themselves using an exclusive amalgam of polyurethane and glass. The aluminum loops that comprise the bag attachment were also specifically created for the project and were brought to fruition by CNC milling. The Folie à Deux is a unique marriage between the craftsman's hands and tools and the artist's imagination.Which is why only thirty-six Folie à Deux will ever be made. Each will be presented on a silk pillow in a handmade, cloth-covered box. And each will be marked with its unique identification number. The number will be mirrored on the underside of the wooden label which is sewn inside each Folie à Deux bag.

See more images after the jump!

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Tags: antlers - bag - fashion - gifts - shopping

Louis Vuitton is really fighting back against counterfeiting these days. Did you hear about how the IACC (International Anticounterfeiting Coalition), which includes brands like LV, Chanel, Abercrombie, etc, sponsored for-credit college classes on the issue? Where their PR folks were "teaching" alongside some professors? It seems to have caused quite a stir...

How about their little Canal St-eqsue set up outside the Brooklyn Museum of Art for the Murakami exhibit launch party? It is a fake set up of a fake bag seller that sells real bags. The concept itself made me laugh - and i was previously amused by the idea of putting a pop up store INSIDE the exhibit which makes it art, only its also a fully functioning store, but i think this tops it. Thank goodness for the internet allowing me to follow the linktrail from High Snobiety who got the information/pics from SuperTouch who got their pictures from the Flickr of Athlete Director, David Lam... see more of my favorites of his photos below. It is really quite a hilarious set up - notice the hand written labels below the paintings for $6000?

UPDATED - love the WWD article, "Fighting the Fakes: Louis Vuitton and Murakami Make a Show of It" on this as well!

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Tags: bag - fashion - murakami - shopping

Wow. Fendi. "Artist Baguette", freshly launched for a mere $1300, a new stark white version of their classic - designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997 - in coated canvas? And it comes with 10 Pantone Universe markers! It sure looks like they are taking a page from the current trends with the vinyl toy blanks... or coloring books/placemats/other children oriented goodies. And in fact quite a few purse sites seem a bit appalled by the whole thing (Purse Blog, Bag Snob, etc)...

Anyhow, putting the pricetag aside, lets think about this from an arts perspective... there is a LOT of collaboration potential here. Can you imagine getting a few of these into the hands of some talented artists and toy designers, and letting them have their way with them? The potential to merge a fashionable classic accessory with art could have some very interesting results (which could also be a way to increase that initial investment, not to mention actually create an even more unique one of a kind designer clutch). So i must admit i'm tempted, although i might have to hold out till i can draw on my own Birkin... See many more images after the jump!

p.s.
It seems like this is one of those situations where packaging makes a world of difference... if it were presented as a gorgeous new white clutch and nothing more, would anyone dare take a sharpie to it? Or would the die hard fashionistas complain about the ridiculousness? And it's not *just* a white canvas bag, it still has all the detailed stylings of a classic Baguette, and additionally has a playfully multicolored cartoon-like lining!

UPDATE 03.13.08 - i walked by a Fendi store, and couldn't help myself, so went in and bothered them to show me the bag... that box is FAR bigger than i expected, and the bag is quite hideous... not nice to the touch at all... the coated canvas reminded me more of random art school creations than a designer bag.

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Tags: art - bag - diy - fashion - gifts - shopping

Flipping through the 2008 Incase catalog, these new Nylon Messenger Bags jumped out at me, and upon reading the details (see the catalog pages after the jump) i had to post it out of curiosity and intrigue. In two sizes (medium and large), both have a sleek yet textured look, weather resistant nylon and waterproofed lining, exterior weatherproof pocket and headphone port, topographic print lining, and i like how the edge goes up and around the clips... as well as a mysterious "plush faux-fur lining" (i wonder what that looks/feels like) to protect your goods. In the large model, there is even a removable notebook sleeve, removable hipsack (fanny pack?), interior bike pump tie down, and an "abrasion resistant skateboard attachment with molded skate bumpers". See more details and images after the jump!

It isn't easy finding a good subtle, rugged, stylish, black messenger bag. I've got quite the stash of them (from chrome to ordning & reda to random leather ones to timbuk2 to patagonia...), but it's been a while one has even really caught my attention.

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Tags: bag - fashion - incase - laptop - messenger - technology

Prada. They've been grabbing my attention in every magazine lately with these illustration heavy images... (remember NotCouture #1478?) and while i'm still debating and mixed on the illustration on leather bag concept, i'm still loving the illustrations! So while checking out all of the Spring/Summer 08 collections and campaign, i couldn't help but share this incredible (HUGE like 17' x 200') wallpaper they have. Entitled Florid ~ Prada says it "represents the somewhat perverse intersection between Hieronymus Bosch and Aubrey Beardsley. The image depicts an intense landscape of man-eating flowers, dragons, hybrid creatures and eerie fairies." Above is one of my favorite sections of it... the full wallpaper, closeups, and images from the print campaign are after the jump!

UPDATE: Apologies for missing that this was the collaboration work of local LA artist James Jean, and that this wallpaper is hanging right in the Beverly Hills and Soho Epicenter stores sized at 17 x 200 feet! In my cold meds induced haze and excitement while being illustration/prada giddy, i'm terribly embarrassed for the slip up and really should know better than early morning posting! Forgive me? Also take a look at the second wallpaper on his site that isn't on Prada's.

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Tags: art - bag - fashion - gifts - illustration - prada - shoes - shopping

Sneak peeks from the latest from the Working Class Heroes which will be available Feb 4th... introducing the Unfold laptop bag. This new "premium cognac leather"/"washed slate cotton canvas" combo will be perfectly filled with a 17" macbook pro, but when using a smaller laptop (macbook air?), it takes a cue from the trendy Foley and Corinna style city totes you can easily have it folded in half to more of a messenger bag proportion. With "comfy handles and a reinforced shoulder strap, the bag is also padded with a protective layer to keep whatever you carry safe". Its interior is a soft cotton lining with small leather logo. See more images of the Unfold after the jump!

Seem familiar? Working Class Heroes has been previously seen on NOTCOT and the gift guide due to my obsession with their brilliantly designed grey wool felt and leather laptop sleeves i have two of.

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Tags: bag - fashion - gifts - laptop - leather - shopping - technology

So we've been through quite a few reusable shopping bags here on NOTCOT, and now when i find new unique ones, i just can't seem to help myself. Latest interesting simplistic luxury variations come from Porter that was featured on HighSnobiety. Their replacement for the standard plastic bag-The Porter x Club King Shopping Bag in nylon (and it seems to have nylon lining layer as well, looks much like a baggu with flaps to secure things) and there is The Porter Grocery Tote replacing your paper bags, only this one is decked out in leather and cotton! And its as brown as your paper, but with a sky blue interior. Honestly i can't believe this is the 14th reusable shopping bag post... thanks dan implementing tagging and forcing me to start tagging things i can actually know that now... although of the nearly 2000 notcot.com posts, i've only tagged everything from 2007 so far, so 2 years to go when i have free time!

Tags: bag - gifts - reusable - reusable bag - shopping

Brains + Shiny + Puma Urban Mobility + instant gallery thanks to the Serpentine for $1,400? This new collaborative Reality Bag project looks great. "The Reality Bag is an exciting new product, adapted from the PUMA Urban Mobility Edition Bag, which launched last season. The Reality Bag is designed to reflect the world inside and out through a clever use of innovative materials and design detail. To develop the concept of this original accessory, the Serpentine Gallery invited artist John Armleder to create its look and feel. Armleder also created the concept of the content and invited young artists to create artworks to go inside each of the 1000 Reality Bags. This makes The Reality Bag an original, multiple artwork containing original pieces by the artist himself and by invitees including John Trembley and Philippe Decreuzat. Many other artists will contribute books, DVDs, or anthologies, as Armleder plays with the idea of the bag as a portable gallery. The result is a truly individual work of art."

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Tags: art - bag - gifts - shopping

On more affordable designer options on green friendly reusable shopping bag options... Beau Soleil has stepped in with their new Beau Bag. "A stylish grocery sack! Price is affordable to entice people to help the environment without shelling out a lot of cash." It is $44 at ShopBop, $40 at Beau Soleil, and $25 (shipping in Jan) at El Sueño Verde. The typography was nice and clean on this one, and its great that there are snap pockets on all sides (including inside!) for all those random magazines, packs of gum, keys, etc! ~ see below for closeups.

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Tags: bag - fashion - gifts - green - reusable - reusable bag - shopping

Gift Guide Day 9 ~ wow can you believe its day 9 already? Well today i rounded up some of our favorite Reusable Shopping bag options ~ some we use and love, some we covet and think would certainly be more unique! And to mix things up a bit, i also picked a few fun woody accessories!

Tags: bag - fashion - gift guide - gifts - green - reusable - reusable bag - shopping