Liz Saintsing's Untamed bags

Why It's Good:

Liz Saintsing revives a wondrous spectrum of second-hand purses, old hatboxes and travel-worn suitcases, infusing them with a dash of whimsical flair and bringing them back to grand style. Her Untamed redesigns are marked by silk-screened dancing cranes and baby birds—which are now adorning burnt caramel chocolates. Sweet!

Why It's Green:

The Untamed line turns otherwise discarded flea-market finds—including battered bowling bags and makeup cases—into spectacular, better-then-new, whimsical accessories. Saintsing is a master of fashionable and artistic refurbishing, a.k.a. recycling.

Where To Get It:

To buy a one-of-a-kind Untamed bag featuring ants, peacocks, squids or turtles, click here.

Bagitude! Bags with Attitude

I’m a sucker for an ant graphic, I really am. Whereas I am mortified if I find an ant crawling anywhere near me, bizarrely enough, I love the look of a small army of them blithely "walking" on a 30-year-old Samsonite. Designer Liz Saintsing's smooth nature-inspired images and her ability to restore grandeur in her Untamed collection is inspiring. While I might give the gimlet eye to some beat-up luggage next to dusty wooden rackets in a Salvation Army basement, she sweeps in, cleans 'em up and lays on her signature artistry. To add a confectionery note to her genius, Liz has collaborated with the guys at Recchiuti's chocolates for their Burnt Caramel collection.—Allison Reynolds