Trash Turned Treasure

By Broadside Staff Writer Deena Smith

There are so many hot purse designers in the fashion industry that it’s difficult to choose a favorite. Christian Dior. Chanel. Louis Vuitton. Coach. Rebagz?

Yes, it seems that a newly launched line of eco-friendly bags called Rebagz are steadily climbing the fashion charts as one of the hottest brands of bags and totes, not only for their unique sense of style, but also because they are environmentally friendly. Juice boxes, nylon rice sacks and other recycled sources are all the materials that go into making Rebagz products. Woven wallets, coin holders, cell sitters and rice sack laptop carriers are also featured in the innovative line.

These eco-friendly bags are already hot picks on the celebrity scene, with celebrities like Sheryl Crow, Angelina Jolie, Heidi Klum and Halle Berry sporting the trendy totes. Even America Ferrera displayed her colorful tote bag on Ugly Betty.

Founders of Half the Sky Designs and Rebagz designers Marty Stevens-Heebner and Christine Calla envision that all everyday things will soon be completely made of—or mostly made from—recycled materials. On their Web site, the designers commented that they believe that “because global warming is now so clearly a planet-wide emergency, up-and-coming generations will recycle reflexively... [Recycled material products will] lead to a New Economy and could potentially lead to another boom the size of the tech boom in the ‘90s.”

Unlike other fashionable bags, Rebagz are not extremely pricey. They can cost anywhere from $15 to $150.

“I’d definitely buy one. I think eco-friendly bags are the thing of the future,” said sophomore Samantha Dudding.

Not only can one purchase these bags on the Rebagz’s Web site, but also from several stores selling the eco-conscious bags in the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica and Panama. George Mason University students can even check out Impulsive in Falls Church to grab one of the hot new bags.

For more information about the brand, to do some online shopping or to find a store close to you that carries the brand, visit Rebagz’s website.