>> Today, at Pitti Immagine in Florence, Vivienne Westwood launched a new series of bags for her Ethical Fashion Africa Project. Handmade by men and women in Nairobi from recycled materials — electrical wiring, tent canvas, aluminum, plastic bags — the accessories are not only environmentally friendly, they're also community-sustaining. "It's not charity, it's work," Westwood says of the project's aim to create jobs in impoverished communities by teaching workers real skills. Ranging in price from $83 to $339, the collection is a colorful melange of chic prints, interesting textures and easy-to-wear shapes. The pieces are available online at yoox.com, with a special video shot by her campaign photographer, Juergen Teller. Click through the slideshow to see our favorites from the collection.

>> With all the excitement surrounding their guest-designer stints at Pitti Immagine, it's pretty hard not to want to a little piece of Rodarte or Band of Outsiders all for yourself.  While it's true that the two labels don't necessarily share an aesthetic, they do share a coast — and similar free-wheeling creative approaches. As Band of Outsider's Scott Sternberg explains, "There's a freedom to what we're doing, and I think it's reflected in the product, and it's reflected in the brand." We couldn't agree more. In fact, in honor of their respective Pitti appearances, we've rounded up 16 very desirable pieces from both labels — all available online now. Click through to see the selection.

Images courtesy of: Band of Outsiders (left), Rodarte (right)

>> Surf's up is not the way of Rag & Bone Resort 2012. “We’re not dressing her for a trip to St. Barth’s,” quipped David Neville, adding: "This collection is about how our girl dresses." Instead, focus fell on a working winter wardrobe. “Just two straight guys faffing around with chiffon,” joked Marcus Wainwright, indicating a sheer panel peeking out from a two-tone peacoat. Joking aside, the designers know their money pieces — their colored denim, currently selling like hotcakes, is reincarnated for Resort in a variety of colors, including one plum pair with a print derived from their paint-splattered studio floor (which was once occupied by the artist Matthew Barney).

>> Kate and Laura Mulleavy are huge fans of Florence. “We have spent countless hours dreaming of the poetic city, every detail magnified by our own curiosity and imagination,” explains Laura. Fitting then, that they are guest designers at Pitt W in Florence this year. Today, their much anticipated Pre-Spring 2012 presentation of 10 elaborate gowns — detailed with Swarovski crystals, tulle, and feathers —  was unveiled in a disused building in central Florence amongst neon light constructions. Inspired by Fra Angelico’s frescoes, the monks’ cells at the convent of San Marco, and Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, the 10 dresses are also accessorized with a hand-forged gold head-piece, belts and breastplates.  But what will happen to the collection after this stint in Italy? Elle confirms that following Pitti, the dresses will be on permanent display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Until then, click through to see the pieces here.

Photos by Autumn de Wilde. Courtesy of Rodarte and Pitti Immagine

>> Donatella Versace sunk herself into the house archives to produce the grommeted, bustiered, scarf-hemlined, and exposed-zippered Versace Resort 2012 collection. The tropical print that peppered a selection of minidresses — inspired by Matisse's Bouquet — likewise was rooted in the hothouse prints touted by Versace in the mid-90s. The full collection, including a black leather trench perforated with thousands of crescent moons, modeled by house favorite Daphne Groeneveld in the slideshow.

>> Marc Jacobs mentioned insane asylums as one of his Fall 2011 reference points, and it seems that just that is being channeled through the collection's campaign. After the first ad popped up last week showing Helena Bonham Carter upside down and splay-legged, two more images have surfaced, the first with Bonham Carter feigning ill with spots affixed on her face and hands, and the second with her panting and begging as a dog.

>> Put a little lightness in your step with these 22 super-Summery shoes. We spotted printed wedges and sandals on the Spring 2011 runways, and now they've turned up at the Resort 2012 presentations as well (Givenchy, Mulberry), we can pretty safely say that this is a trend that's not disappearing anytime soon. And why not? Printed shoes are an easy way to add color (and a bit of levity) to even the most basic outfit. Click through to shop our selects, including the Loeffler Randall x Suno pair at left.

>> Eddie Borgo's six-piece, limited-edition collection is now available online at J.Crew. Launched in honor of the designer's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runner-up win, the accessories capsule of belts, cuffs, and necklaces features the same kind of edgy-chic aesthetic found in Borgo's own jewelry line. The prices, however, are much more accessible than his main line. A leather bow-pin, dotted with gold-plated brass studs, retails at $38, while a fringed, mesh-pocket necklace (the most expensive of the batch) rings in at $175. The oppurtunity to reach more fans through the collection was not lost on Borgo. "I think that modern women have a real ability to experiment with fashion, and brands like J.Crew provide the accessibility to try new things," he told Stylelist.