Does Ugly Betty heart candy wrapper purses? From my laptop, it looked like the bag Betty was toting in the last episode looked a lot like an eco-friendly bag made from candy wrappers.
[Update: Turns out Betty's bag was indeed an upcycled fair trade bag -- Ecobagz' Large Tie Tote, made of reclaimed juice packs by fair trade workers in the Philippines. The Betty look can be yours for $90 at Rebagz.]
Even if I’m wrong, lemme take this moment to note the growing popularity of purses and totes are made from recycled candy and other foil wrappers. The most popular of these are the ecoist bags (left), which look chic and stylish.
Betty, however, looks like she’s carrying one of these Foil Wrapper Shoulder Bag with Woven Strap (below) from MYO Accessories, a company that works with weavers from Mexico combating poverty while supporting indigenous cultures.
All the companies touting these recycled foil wrapper bags seem concerned both with environmental and fair labor issues. From what I’ve seen, ecoist has the best quality control and the sleekest products — even if their goods are more expensive. More “hippie” groups like Global Crafts offer similar — but more crunchy-looking — products at a somewhat lower price.
Get ‘em while they’re hot. Jennifer Holsman of TopButton notes that recycled candy wrapper bags have a side benefit: “they encourage us to ditch our already long forgotten New Year’s resolution of trading in sweet treats for treadmill time.” BeachDiva of Social Diva Blog loves ecoist: “Whenever I wear my clutch to an event I get no less than a dozen compliments.” And JP of Green Deals Daily liked ecoist bags enough to post a video about them.
Share your own review of foil wrapper bags in the comments –
[crossposted on BlogHer]
I love this post! I love these purses and it totally looks like Ugly Betty is carrying one. I am an eco-blogger at http://www.planetpinkngreen.com. I care about all beautiful things sustainable, fairly traded or made with humanity and consciousness in mind. I’m always looking to be inspired and recently finished filming and producing an eco-chic design vlog series posted on my blog. I look forward to reading more…
Comment by Cheryl Janis — January 27, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
What Cheryl Janis says!! I totally can see Ugly Betty with this. I am in the UK and trying to find Eco-Friendly options for bags is a little tricky. There are lots about but most are very bland. I recently got two jute bags from there; both different colours and styles and both very funky. I think we’re a little behing you guys as far as lifestyle products and ecofriendly options going hand in hand. But we’re catching up!!
Steph x
Comment by Seph — February 10, 2008 @ 11:23 pm