BLACKBURN AND SWEETZER

Gojo or ‘House’ - sunburned homey clutch

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Many moons ago, the husband and I worked for NBC Network News in Washington, DC. One of our colleagues and friends, Makeda Amha, was like us - just out of college, figuring out what to do with our lives. We’ve kept in touch ever since, and Makeda’s been a web producer, TV field producer and writer, mostly in NYC. When a friend sends you an email saying, check out my new handbag line, you just hope you like it.

But here it is - the debut Makeda Collection NYC, a combination of vibrantly colored textiles from Ethiopia, vegetable tanned leather and organic cotton, to be in stores starting fall ‘08. Really well done in my opinion, and not like anything I’ve seen on the market. Yes, there is a whole ‘tribal’ trend going on, but this is not high fashion doing ‘tribal’, this is someone from the region making gorgeous handbags. The bags will retail from $1,125-$1,500, and e-commerce will be available at makedaynyc.com in the summer. A portion of the e-commerce proceeds will go to non-profit orgs to raise awareness of social and environmental issues facing Africa. Sign up online for updates.

Amora or ‘Eagle’ flying chocolate duffle

Conjo or ‘Beauty’ gorgeous red saddle