Why Is Kerry Washington Always Carrying a Purple Purse?-Hallie Stephens

There's no question Kerry Washington has become a red carpet icon over the past few years, so it should come as no surprise that she's been setting enviable trends. Her latest one — the purple purse — may just take the cake though. After all, it represents an important cause.

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Kerry Washington with purple purses (Getty Images)

After carrying deep purple Prada clutches at both the 2014 Emmys and 2014 NAACP Image Awards, the Scandal star, 37, has been spotted throughout New York City this week carrying an amethyst-hued bag she designed for Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse program to raise awareness for domestic violence and financial abuse.

"One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence," Kerry says in a PSA for the organization. "Finances are almost always a weapon of choice. Taking away access to cash, destroying credit, jeopardizing jobs; financial abuse leaves invisible bruises that can take decades to heal."

In a behind-the-scenes video from the campaign shoot, Kerry explains why the Purple Purse initiative is so important. "I consider myself to be well versed in issues around women and violence against women so I was pretty shocked that I didn't know how prevalent financial abuse is. I just thought, if I don't have this information, I know there are so many other people that don't have this information," she said. "I want to be a part of spreading the message because it's such an important tool to help women get out of threatening situations."

So why the color purple? “Purple is the color for domestic violence awareness,” she explained. “And a purse is where a woman’s power lives.”

Spreading a message and looking fabulous? Now that's something we can really get behind.

Check out the video to hear what Kerry had to say about designing the clutch and tune in to The Insider With Yahoo on TV tonight for the latest in entertainment news.

For more information on Purple Purse, click here.

Source Yahoo Celebrity