Bag some new bags for summer

Here are some fashion events happening in the area.

C.T. Weekends will show off spring and summer collections in the store from La Belle Marine Paris as well as a selection of Parisian bags by Frederic T during a fashion show at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Jacques Restaurant.

Tickets are $30 and include lunch. A portion of ticket sales will go to the Assistance League of Raleigh, a nonprofit volunteer service organization. Make a reservation by calling (919) 787-9073.

While C.T. Weekends has handbags from France, Kristen's Shoe Boutique in Cary has new handbags from Italy.

The store is now carrying buttery soft leather handbags by Jennifer Tattanelli, a former Calvin Klein fashion designer who returned to her family's Florence, Italy, business. All the leathers used in the bags are tanned in Florence, then handcrafted by Florentine artisans. Most of the bags have suede leather lining. Currently, the only place they are sold in the United States is at Kristen's.

Customers also can go to Kristen's to have a bag created for them, picking from various design styles and leather swatches.

Recycle your jeans

Monica Barrett and Cryssy Byrdsong have collaborated to create Designer Jeanz Exchange. Each weekend they'll hit the State Fairgrounds Flea Market with used denim. Bring a pair of your own (dry cleaned first), and you can buy another pair for $20. Or simply buy a pair for $40.

They have designer denim by Joe's Jeans, Paper Denim & Cloth, Earnest Sewn, Citizens of Humanity, 7 for All Mankind, Dolce & Gabbana and Frankie B.

Designers sought

The Rock & Shop Market is looking for emerging designers for its urban market June 28 at Tir Na Nog in downtown Raleigh. For information, go to www.rockandshopmarket.com. The deadline to apply is Friday.