Rebagz Fit Fashion Industry's Pantone's Spring/Summer Colors and Philosophies

The spring/summer 2009 colors selected by Pantone, Inc., the world-renowned authority on color for the fashion and design industries, reflect the current range of emotions and philosophies. "Pantone is focusing strongly on the state of mind as it relates to color in the upcoming season. That's especially relevant right now, given the way everyone's adjusting their way of thinking in such an expansive way. It's a spectacular time to be a designer.," says Marty-Stevens Heebner, president and head designer of Half the Sky Designs, the company that makes the popular and eco-chic Rebagz handbags.

"Fashion has always focused on the moment, and what's happening in the world now is too broad and extraordinary to focus merely on one trend or palette. Colors reflect emotions, and they're both running the gamut right now as we feel both hope and fear at the same time," Heebner says. "Fear isn't a bad thing because there's no courage without it -- and the bold colors out there are a statement about being daring, about transcending the pettiness and cruelty of the past several years and aspiring to something brilliant and confident."

The upcoming season marks "a return to a more gregarious approach to color, which is important since this attitude celebrates the individual and makes people feel good about themselves," according to Pantone. Next season's colors celebrate independence and individuality with colors categorized as Classic-ism, Surreal-ism, Independent-ism, Femal-ism and Fetish-ism.

The woven line of Rebagz handbags, made from recycled juice packs, are as bright as fireworks and embody the creative and feisty spirit of Independent-ism's vivid colors. Rebagz's rice sack handbag line, fashioned from recycled nylon rice sacks, incorporates the luminous pastels found in the Femal-ism category. "Since Half the Sky is a women-driven company, we couldn't agree more with Pantone's point that women are relevant, positive and beautiful," says Stevens-Heebner. "I also think there's a trend toward buying what I call 'human-friendly' fashion -- accessories and clothes made with the environment and the lives of the workers who make them in mind."

Several Rebagz designs coordinate perfectly with the upcoming season's most popular colors. The pale lemon in the Jasmine print is similar to Pantone's elfin yellow and fits in with the retro Femal-ism palette. The new Rebagz "Galaxy" rice sack design has shades of fuchsia red and expresses the confidence and originality of the Independent-ism palette, while the Magnolia Cinchy Tote's palace blue hue can add a fun splash to Classic-ism and Surreal-ism colors. For a night on the town, Fetish-ism's deep plum and dark chocolate tones harmonize well with Rebagz's hand woven silver Chained to Me Clutch and silver Mini Bag.

Rebagz are available in sizes ranging from small business card holder to large totes and backpacks. They are sold in stores throughout North America, Central America and Europe, and distribution continues to expand. Rebagz range in price from $15 to $150. For more information and additional styles visit www.rebagz.com or call (818) 376-0125.