Chilli (real name, Rozonda Thomas), the singer from the popular 90’s band TLC, has started a new line of handbags that allow consumers to choose a photograph or image that will be permanently displayed on the bag.

Chilli allows you to customize your bag

The tagline of her website, Bags by Chilli, is “Advertise Yourself.” Since I work for a marketing firm, her tagline immediately started me thinking about the implications for marketing. In this down economy, companies could use her bags for subtle advertising campaigns.

Goodbye T-shirt advertising, hello handbags!

Artists and photographers could use the bags to display their handiwork. Brands could pay celebrities, athletes, and other people for product placements and to carry the bag during certain events. Take Chilli’s new role as spokesperson for Dasani bottled water. Chilli did a photo shoot for Dasani and could easily use one of the beautiful photos, like the one below, to advertise for Dasani on one of her bags.

Chilli at the Dasani photo shoot

Chilli might have just kicked off the next wave of wearable advertising.