Shenae Grimes shows off her handbag by “Roots”

Calling all aspiring eco fashion designers.  Here is an opportunity to enter the world of style.  Did you know that “green” is the new black?

What: The 2009 Independent Handbag Designer Awards™ Now With Matching Shoes

Handbag Designer 101 presents the Third Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards™, the only handbag (and now shoe) design competition of its kind in the world applications process is now open.

Who: All finalists will be invited to participate in the Third Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards™ that will take place on June 17, 2009, at the New York Historical Society in New York City. Over 500 members of the fashion industry, including press and retailers, will attend the Independent Handbag Designer Awards™.

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The fashion industry has only recently become somewhat linked with eco-friendly values. Yet even with the advent of popular hemp clothing and the use of natural fibers, most eco-friendly fashion accessories are considered to be ‘hippie fashion’. Hardly products that could be associated with the 7th Avenue fashion scene!

Natasha Kimling Kwan, the owner Kling handbags has decided to change things around. An emerging designer of vegan fashion handbags, Kwan produces uber stylish clutches that are the perfect compliment to business and casual fashion.

Kwan started her fashion handbag company as a DIY effort making her first handbags out of duct tape. Amazed at how many people were unaware of the toxic dangers of PVC and tanning leather, she began to investigate alternative materials that had the look and feel of leather and vinyl. Today, she uses a polyurethane based fabric that feels similar to lambskin but does not use plasticizers, heavy metals, formaldehyde or pyroxylin.

And if the eco-friendly materials are not enough to check out the line, consider this: All Kling handbags are handmade in New York by a sewing professional. The human connection is important to Kwan. She could have saved a lot of money by going abroad, but just did not feel good knowing that someone out there would be paid a pittance so that she could make a larger profit.

Take a look at Kling bags. Who knows you might want to cling to them yourself. You can check them out the various handbags in the line or find a retailer at www.klingbags.com.