LENORE COLLECTION HANDBAGS PARADE IN CELEBRITY FASHION IN TINSELTOWN
Specially Designed Handbags Presented in the Hollywood Christmas Parade Gift Baskets

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 8, 2004) – Lenore Collection debuted in Hollywood with a specially designed handbag presented exclusively for the 73rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade gift baskets – a ‘thank you' basket filled with an array of products packaged for the over 100 celebrities and VIP's who each received this ‘priceless' gift full of unique products and pampering treats for their honorable participation in this year's parade.

Dennis Lumpkin, gift basket guru of Sequoia Productions, the organizer of several star-studded events, instantly felt that the newspaper handbags designed by Lenore Collection would be a hit in this year's gift baskets.

“I was intrigued by these handbags made of newspaper … Once I saw them in person, I just knew right away we should have them for our Hollywood Christmas Parade gift baskets. They are star quality, so unique, fun and fashionable, and adds an environmental dimension among the other products we selectively feature,” said Lumpkin.

The Hollywood handbag, appropriately named for this special occasion, was given to celebrities in film, television, music and sports – stars such as Penny Johnson Gerald of the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning show “24,” Keiko Agena of “Gilmore Girls,” Jessica Pare of “Wicker Park,” Sofia Milos of “CSI: Miami,” Marion Ross of “Happy Days,” Cindy Williams of “Laverne & Shirley,” and Laila Ali , female Super Middleweight Boxing champion and daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who served as the Grand Marshal of the parade, also received the completely hand woven Hollywood handbag made of recycled newspapers. Other male TV personalities given this special handbag include Brad Garrett, the Emmy award-winning star of "Everybody Loves Raymond,” Keith Carradine from the new comedy "Complete Savages,” standup comedian George Lopez, CHiPs star Erik Estrada,” Cody Kasch of “Desperate Housewives,” and the She Bangs “American Idol” phenomenon William Hung.

The mix of woven newspaper used for the Hollywood handbag comprise the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, and other international newspapers. Mini-sized and square-shaped, the Hollywood handbag is perfect for the woman on-the-go who only needs the essentials for the day.

Lenore Collection handbags are individually designed and hand woven using recycled newspapers, magazines, telephone directories, posters and other paper products. Designing and recycling with a 'news' twist, these handbags are created not only for those with a sense of hip fashion taste, but also for those with a no-nonsense conscience to promote less (paper) waste!

To view the entire Lenore Collection catalog for a variety of styles of chic, unique handbags – from headlines to hip-hop, from comics to crossword puzzles, from film ads to fun ‘n funky designs – visit www.LenoreCollection.com.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade took place on Sunday, November 28, and was broadcast live by KTLA Channel 5.