Carla Bruni Bags to Benefit South African Cooperative

It’s no secret that France’s first lady, Carla Bruni, is no slouch when it comes to fashion. The former model is more often than not photographed wearing garb from local fashion house like Dior and Hermes. And she’s likewise been credited with vastly improving the style of her hubby, French president Nicolas Sarkozy. But with a new handbag sourced in South Africa, Bruni is making a fashion statement that’s both stylish and socially conscious.

Currently exclusively on sale at Colette is the Carla Bag, a yellow, red, blue, green, white, and black hessian and cotton handbag made by a sewing cooperative in Khayelitsha, South Africa. Bruni was presented with the custom handbag on a past visit to the co-op, and now proceeds from the sale of its limited-edition reproductions (of which there will be 420) will go towards establishing a new cooperative in Khayelitsha. While the bags aren’t cheap (they’re marked at €100 each), the cause without a doubt provides a worthwhile excuse to shop. Not to mention it’s refreshing for political fashion news of late to include an element of social responsibility. And I’m not talking Sarah Palin’s claim that she’ll donate her $150,000 Saks wardrobe for some vague “charitable purpose” post-Tuesday.