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Against a background of stark black, colorful stripes and geometric patterns are diligently incorporated into the body of this sling bag. UMBVS Desert Weavers of India present this easy going bag as part of an effort to promote the welfare of local artisans in the Thar desert of Rajasthan. They weave the bag by hand from cotton on a traditional loom adding geometric patterns in bright colors using a traditional extra weft technique giving it an embroidered look. A zipper pocket on the front offers additional space for storing small items.

Artisan Teodolinda Seguil of Peru transforms a gourd into a charming sling bag with Andean motifs. After hand-carving the gourd, Teodolinda hand-paints in colorful shades every floral and bird detail that embellishes her creation. This sling bag features an adjustable strap and leather tabs that hold the snap closure, creating a unique and lovely accessory.

Made entirely by hand, this beautiful contemporary bag showcases the ancestral weaving traditions preserved by the women artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. The compact purse exemplifies the incredible time and dedication it takes to produce a handmade work of art. In the highlands they call home, before they can begin to weave the fabric for the bag, the women must first raise and shear the alpacas and llamas to obtain the wool, then dye and spin the fleece before it is ready to be woven into fabric on a traditional backstrap loom. From start to finish, the time taken to produce each bag spans the seasons. The fully-lined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket.

With traditional motifs that echo the shapes of the Andes mountains, this 100% alpaca shoulder bag is a standout. The artisans of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco craft it entirely from scratch--raising the alpacas and llamas to obtain the fleece; shearing, dyeing and spinning the wool; and weaving the textile on a traditional waist loom. The fully-lined bag closes with a zipper and features an interior zipper pocket.

Somewhere between a garden in full bloom and the open road, this leather sling bag exists in a world entirely its own. Designed by India's Vikram Uberoi, its hand-tooled floral and vine motifs unfurl across a deep teal canvas like a secret only the wearer gets to carry. Wear it crossbody for hands-free adventure or slip off the removable, adjustable strap and let it double as a sleek clutch for evenings that call for something more intimate. Inside, a plush suede lining and two card slots keep everything exactly where it belongs, because beauty should never have to sacrifice function.