Herefordshire and Wye Valley life interviews Hergest Handmade Handbags designer 'Elinor Fielder' at her Log Cabin Studio. 

Designer bag made in Herefordshire

County pride is in the bag

 OOoooooooo

Hergest Handmade Handbags features in Harpers Bazaar September 2011

 Publishes on the front page of The Business Times section of the Hereford Times.

A Kington woman has been making it big in the world of high fashion.

Elinor Fielder, who runs Hergest Handmade Handbags, has recently been featured in both Vogue and Tatler magazines for her bags made from Vintage and reclaimed fabrics.

" I think what they're picking up on is that my bags are fun, unique and bright" Said Elinor " I don't go to normal fabric shops. I get my fabrics from Auction Houses and shops that specialise in Vintage materials"

"The bags appeal to people who are environmentally friendly but also those who are fashion conscious" 

But it's not just the materials Elinor uses which are Vintage. " I didn't go to college to learn how to do this. I was taught to sew by my Grandmother on her sewing machine, which is the one I still  use" she said.

" You can tell how old a singer is because they have a serial number on them. Mine was made in 1911 and I do everything on it."

Elinor also believes the rural location of her business has been a benefit.

"People link the rural angle of it. I do a lot of Arts Markets and I think people want to buy something that is locally made.

Very excited.