Handbag.com and Cancer Research UK have announced a new partnership with the launch of the first ever Handbag Amnesty. Taking place throughout the month of September – www.handbag.com’s dedicated handbag month - and climaxing in October, the Handbag Amnesty will give women across the country the opportunity to bid for the designer handbag of their favourite celebrity including just to name a few Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Dame Shirley Bassey, to raise money to help beat cancer.

Kiera Knightley

Scarlet Johansson

Sienna Miller

Kate Bosworth

Handbag.com and Cancer Research UK are asking celebrities to make space in their wardrobes by donating one of their designer handbags to the Amnesty.  The bags will then be auctioned on eBay from Friday 3rd - Sunday 14th October to tie in with Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Open to everyone, all proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK, the largest single funder of research into breast cancer, one of the most common cancers in the UK.

The Handbag Amnesty, however, is not just about celebrities. Handbag.com and Cancer Research UK are also asking members of the public to donate a handbag that is still in good condition to their local Cancer Research UK shop.  Good handbags always sell like hot cakes in Cancer Research UK’s nationwide chain of charity shops.

Claire Higgins, Head of Marketing at handbag.com, says: “As the leading lifestyle website for women in the UK, we are in the unique position of being able to reach more than 1.5 million women across the country. 44,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK so we are very proud to be working with Cancer Research UK to help make a difference - not only by raising a lot of money to fund research into preventing breast cancer, but also by helping to raise much needed awareness of the illness.”
Paul Farthing, Director of High Value Relationships at Cancer Research UK, says: ‘We’re delighted to be working with handbag.com to launch Handbag Amnesty. The auction of celebrity handbags will be an exciting way to raise funds for our vital research into breast cancer. We also hope that by encouraging supporters to donate their own favourite handbag, and other unwanted quality items to our shops, we will be able to raise even more to help beat cancer.’

Other celebrities taking part are:
Alesha Dixon
America Ferrera – Ugly Betty
Annie Lennox
Ashlee Simpson
Barbara Hulanicki
Beth Rowley
Beverley Knight
Claudia Winkleman
Dolly Parton
Duffy
Erin O’Connor
Fearne Cotton
Geri Halliwell
Heidi Montag – From The Hills
Dame Judi Dench
Julie Benz – From Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Kate Bosworth
Kelly Osbourne
Lauren Conrad - From The Hills
Leah Wood
Lily Cole
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Michelle Gayle
Mischa Barton
Rachel Stevens – S Club 7
Ruby Hammer – Ruby and Mille make up
Scarlett Johansson
Sharon Osbourne
Sharleen Spiteri
Sophie Ellis Bextor
Tamzin Outhwaite
Tracey Boyd
Trinny Woodhall
Zandra Rhodes
For more information please visit www.handbag.com/amnesty

Popularity: 2% [?]

Q: How can I copy Keira Knightley’s makeup and clothes from “The Duchess?” How can I fit the 18th century “Georgiana” style into my fall wardrobe?

A: The answer is yes, yes and yes! In the same way that Kate Winslet’s “Titanic” wardrobe and Kirsten Dunst’s “Marie Antoinette” period costumes mirrored current trends, Kiera Knightley’s look from “The Duchess” is also right on track with current styles. Ok, so bustles, rib crushing corsets and sausage curls may never come back into the mainstream, but we can all take a few cues from Keira’s 18th century style.

The Romantic:

Velvet military jackets, feathered headpieces and a smile! (source)

Feathers and velvet anyone? Feathered headpieces are big big big this fall (think Kenley from Project Runway) and are a great way to spice up your look for fall. If feathers are a little too much for you, then I must insist that you go for a velvet military jacket. You can pair this sexy topper with jeans and knee high boots or over a feminine floral dress to create an effortlessly romantic look.

Get out your scrunching spray and embrace any natural wave you may have because this romantic look is all about ringlets! I like to use hot rollers on my hair to create a more subtle version.

The Naturalist:

The natural look (source)

18th century ladies of the court didn’t exactly have a neighborhood Sephora to stock up on beauty essentials…they typically used natural dyes and pigments for their makeup routine, or simply wore nothing at all. For daytime, you can re-create this natural look with a loose low bun, minimal makeup and a gauzy top.

The Fierce Fashionista:

Flushed, feminine and fierce (source)

If you are the type of savvy fashionista that doesn’t shy away at the current trends, then you can go for an all-out 18th century style. Think flushed cheeks and porcelain doll makeup (beauty mark optional). A slightly teased updo, fitted dresses with a lace-up bodice and vintage jewelry will complete any regal ensemble. Just make sure you finish your look off with a major dose of attitude and make it work!

Check out “The Duchess” starring Keira Knightley at your local theater and drink up all of the fabulous history, scandal and most of all, fab fashion.

Popularity: 7% [?]

The Edge of Love star may show off her singing in the movie, but her red carpet prowess is hard to miss in this pleated purple dress at a private party for the film in London.

Credit: People.com and PA Photos /Landov

Popularity: 4% [?]