Fashion & Style: When is an ensemble so much more? When you're wearing the Jenny Krauss label. The colorful and whimsical "fair trade" fashions by designer Jenny Krauss offer signature style for the cause-conscious.

Jenny Kruass' line of hand-made accessories not only help fashionistas look fab, but also provide financial and emotional support to more than 500 Bolivian and Peruvian female artisans, many impoverished, abused and deprived of career opportunity, who hand-craft her various designs. By hiring these extraordinarily talented craftsmen and women, Jenny Krauss liberates and empowers them with a source of income along with an overriding sense of self-worth and accomplishment.

Consider these artful Jenny Krauss accessories that'll punch up your look:

Hand Woven & Embroidered Tote Bag - $116-$130
Tote bag is heavy cotton canvas with chocolate brown cotton lining and leather strap accent for extra durability. Inside is a large pocket, cell phone pocket, and metal key hook. Closes with a magnetic snap. The front and back embroidery is unique to each bag. Small measures 14" x 11" x 6"; Large measures 16" x 13" x 7"

Hand Woven and Embroidered Clutch Bags- $70.00
The clutch bags are hand woven and embroidered wool and each one is unique. They are lined with cotton and measure 9" x 6" x 2" and have a wool wristlet not seen in the photos. Available in purple, brown, blue, black, citron, and cranberry.

Hand Woven and Embroidered Belts - $65.00
These are hand woven and embroidered by women's fair trade groups in Peru. Each one is unique and spectacular. They look great with jeans, skirts; just about any outfit looks better with one of these on your waist or hips. Available in small, medium, and large with 5 sets of buckle holes for maximum size flexibility. Small fits 23"-31", medium fits 28"-37" and large fits 34"-43".

Hand Crocheted Butterfly Pins - $15.00 Set of 2
These clever Peruvian-made wool crochet butterfly pins are great for embellishing tops, coats, scarves, hats, pillows, blankets, bags - anything that could benefit from a decorative pop of whimsy. Available in sets of two - a small measuring 2.5"x2.25" and a large measuring 3.5"x2.5" - the pins are also offered in a variety of colors: orange, green, yellow, purple, red and turquoise.

Hand Crocheted Bracelets - $15.00
These sweet hand-crafted bracelets with alternating flowers and beads also come from Peru. Either over a long sleeve shirt or on a bare wrist, they are an inexpensive way to perk up an ensemble. Available in six vibrant colors: turquoise, brown, purple, red, green and yellow/beige.

"I'm proud to offer fair trade goods in the giftware category, which assures consumers that the artisans executing my designs earn a fair price for their labor, work in good conditions, do not use children in any manner and are otherwise not exploited," Krauss says. "For labor, I never negotiate on price - what the artisans ask for is what they get. I do visit Peru and Bolivia once or twice a year to meet with the women, discuss new products and celebrate our collective good fortune for our products being so well received in the marketplace."

Visit www.JennyKrauss.com to learn more or www.HarrietandLeo.com to shop.

- Merilee Kern
JustLuxé.com's "The Luxe List" Executive Review Editor

The Luxe List product, service and travel review editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for new and captivating "musts." Submissions are accepted via e-mail at Merilee@JustLuxe.com. View all of Merilee's Luxe List articles from here (scroll to page bottom).
Jenny Krauss
Jenny Krauss
Jenny Krauss
Jenny Krauss
Jenny Krauss
Jenny Krauss
Jenny Krauss