Gucci on film

Ever since the success of The Devil Wears Prada we knew it was only a matter of time before another fashion-related film cropped up. Step forward, Ridley Scott. The British director of Gladiator last week confirmed in US film newspaper Variety that he will be making a film based on Sara Gay Forden\'s book The House of Gucci, chronicling the glamorous life of the Gucci family.  The film will centre on the murder of Maurizio Gucci in 1995, for which his wife Patrizia Reggiani was convicted of arranging and is currently serving a 26-year prison sentence for. Regardless of the controversy the news is causing - Reggiani has already threatened to take legal action against the project - Scott Free Productions plans to begin filming next year and will be signed under Fox 2000 Pictures. The main concern to us, of course, is will Scott favourite Russell Crowe get to play Maurizio?

Principles gift Handbag readers!

Now here\'s help with that emergency dash to the shops for that perfect party dress. High street brand Principles, a favourite of chic working women everywhere, is offering all Handbag readers an exclusive 20% off purchases made on its website this week. All you have to do is enter the word "sparkle" at the checkout. Principles have a particularly strong collection in store this winter, with "sparkly" cocktail dresses galore. The offer ends on Sunday 16 December. Happy shopping!

www.principles.co.uk 

Plastic fantastic

Continuing the tradition of hiring a person from outside the fashion world (yes, they do exist) to re-interpret its iconic polo T-shirt, Lacoste has this Christmas hired designer Michael Young, famous for his stylish furniture designs and sculptures. Working with the medium of plastic - one of his favourite materials - Young has taken the brand\'s symbol of the crocodile, and created an imprint of croc skin which looks like it\'s swimming up the back and down the back of the shirt. Describing what gave him the idea, Young said: "Years ago I discovered these colourful gardening gloves in Japan that had a latex coating. When I began working on the Lacoste project, I knew I had found my chance to explore this technique." The Plastic Polo is available in seven colours for men and women and is available at the store on South Molten Street in London. Young has also designed a more exclusive edition, left, called the Plastic Polo +, which is available at Dover Street Market.

Cosy cashmere heaven

Cashmere specialists Brora have come up with a handy solution to those suffering problems finding Christmas presents (and disinclined to leave the house): a limited edition cashmere scarf in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Available in pale blue and navy, the 100% cashmere winter warmers are available exclusively online at www.rnli.org.uk/sos (or tel. or call 0845 121 4999), and retail at the nice price of £55. So you don\'t have to break the bank or leave your house, and, better still, 20% of all profits made by sales go to the RNLI\'s SOS day.

Scents and sensibility

Another perfect purchase this season is Diptyque\'s Christmas collection of colourful scented candles, inspired by a 1963 design by Desmond Knox-Leet, one of the company\'s founders. The choices of scent are Encense, Gingembre and Epicéa. As we all know, half the pleasure of receiving a present is unwrapping it, and the elves at Diptyque are all too aware of this, having created boxes which come in blue, red or green, according to the colour of the candle. £40 each, at Diptyque.

Tel. (0) 207 727 8673)

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Fashion conscience

The only handbag to put on your Christmas list this year is a FEED #1 bag. Who needs the latest four-figure piece of arm candy from Chloe when for only £30 you can buy a bag that will give a child from a developing country a packed lunch box for every school day of the year. Food is their incentive to learn. When children are given a nutritious meal in school each day their attendance increases by 100%. FEED #1 has been designed by model and ambassador for the World Food Program, Lauren Bush, and is sold exclusively at Harrods and online at Amazon. Inspired by grain bags, the bag is made from 100% sustainable material and is reversible. Aiming onwards and upwards, FEED #2 is planned for the new year, with a collaboration with beauty brand Bobbi Brown in the pipeline. Watch this space. Tracey Lea Sayer