Remember when you were a college student and you became self-righteous about the environment and the government and went on and on about how you wished you were French because they don't consume to excess? Well, now is your chance to relive those glory days with vegan leather goods as gifts to your friends and family! Only kidding, in fact these vegan handbags are far from immature. Matt & Nat handbags are priced around two hundred dollars and come in all kinds of metallic and exposed zip trendiness. Made of 100% vegan materials they are both fashionable and socially responsible and that, college confidence or no, is something to feel strongly about. This rice paper zip clutch is our personal favorite but you can find other awesome examples right here. 

We just caught wind of the Catherine Rapetti Spring 2009 collection and had to give a shout out to the envelope clutch in her lineup of handbags and accessories. This sleek shape is one of the only ways in which you can convince us that a clutch has any place in fashion save for black tie happenings. That is, the absence of a strap or handles on a bag can prove inconvenient if your trying to hail a taxi, answer your cell phone, or use the ladies room. This shape though, well, let's just say it comes under the heading of "it might not be convenient but it looks so good I don't care". This bag is generous in size (14" W x 8" H) and retails for $380. Its sleek menswear-referencing look is what really drew us in, and there is evidence to prove that Rapetti's choice of shape will be a popular one come Spring. Just check out these current season examples from Brian Atwood, Maison Martin Margiela, and Loefffler Randall for proof. 

Holiday marketing ploys are something we usually view with suspicion but Anya Hindmarch has found a charming way to celebrate Halloween. Customers will be invited to pick a sweet (toffee candy) from Anya Hindwitch’s Trick or Treat bag (no purchase necessary).

Those who pull out a Treat may win an Anya Hindmarch bag, clutch, purse or key ring from the Autumn/Winter 2008 collection or be asked to perform funny forfeits such as Balance a bag on your head or walking from one end of the shop to the other cackling like a witch as a trick. And of course there will be plenty of treats on hand such as sinister stickers and spooky sweets like jelly brains, skullcrushers and lucky bones to keep children of all ages happy.

This "Maggie" clutch is one potential treat!

Participating Anya Hindmarch Boutiques:

In the NY area:

Anya Hindmarch, Soho: 115 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012  T: +1 212 343 8147

Anya Hindmarch, Madison, 29 East 60^th Street, New York, NY 10022  T: +1 212 750 3974

Anya Hindmarch at The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills, NJ 07078 T:  + 1 973 379 7183

On the West Coast:

Anya Hindmarch, 118 South Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles , CA 90048  T: +1 310 271 9707

Anya Hindmarch The Shoppes at the Palazzo 3327 Las Vegas Blvd. So. LV, NV 89109 T: + 1 702 566 8900