Ethical fashion entrepreneurs prove they can cut it
14th April 2010

By Anastasia Weiner - Business Correspondent, Yorkshire

ENTERPRISING cousins Laura Queening and Claire Baigent have launched an online boutique selling must have ethical accessories.

Sequel London offers a range of leather bags created from recycled leather jackets, discarded silk ties and unwanted curtains.

The Yorkshire-based pair select the unwanted items from Oxfam's Wastesaver warehouse in Huddersfield then recycle the material to create contemporary accessories.

Sequel products are designed by London College of Fashion graduate Ms Queening. All accessories are manufactured in East London.

The accompolished designer was named Drapers Student Accessories Designer of the Year in 2007 and has worked with designers such as Stori Sac, DKNY and Charlott Vasberg.

In 2008 she launched Aura Que, which produces a range of accessories manufactured as part of the Nepal Fair Trade Group to increase ethical production in this developing country.

She said that she and her cousin decided to launch the business as a way of encouraging "sustainability in fashion".

"Fashion can change so quickly, and often we see clothing that is in excellent condition, but wouldn't be worn by the more fashion conscious among us," Ms Queening said.

"We only choose the best quality material, even if the clothing itself has long since passed its fashion sell-by date, and from that we make a new product, reducing waste and offering something different in today's disposable lifestyle."

The aesthetic of the first collection features leather covered button details, and a removable recycled silk tie decoration, which has been used to add colour and texture to the range.

Linings are made from off-cuts of high-quality second-hand curtains, all of which have been donated to Oxfam, and provide the details, which make each individual Sequel product unique.

The tie details on each bag will vary depending on the stock donated to charity, so no two bags will be the same. The whole range is available in black leather, with some styles available in either black or brown.

Sequel London use recycled materials wherever possible, with all swing tickets, packaging and stationery made from recycled paper. The company also aims to reuse whatever materials it can on a day to day basis.

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