So, you are an eco worrier on an organic trip? Right from the food you eat to the pillow you sleep on, the clothes you wear to the mode of transport you prefer, your objective in life is to save the planet? But that doesn't necessarily make you any less fashionable.

The world of fashion has, in fact, evolved to keep up with the growing needs of the ''ethically conscious consumers''. Accessories designer, Sonya Kashmiri, is part of this brigade. ''My label allows the designer savvy shopper to have her cake and eat it too,'' claims Kashmiri.

This was the first season that Kashmiri participated at the London Fashion Week. For her spring/summer collection, Kashmiri took inspiration from "construction methods found in tailored suits", and Ernest Haeckel, the early 20th century German biologist's famed drawings of flora and fauna.

After completing a Masters degree from the London College of Fashion, she began her career at the sports footwear industry in South Korea and other Far Eastern countries. After slogging it out for over seven years, she realised it wasn't really her forte and that she wanted to ''do her own thing''.

Soon the budding designer set up a factory in Portugal and began her trade of designing accessories. The tote bags, wallets and belts that she makes are actually constructed in chrome free, veg-tan leather and lined with organic cotton.

She uses recycled leather to provide additional strength to the curved structure of the tote bottoms. That apart, Kashmiri keeps the non-leather components to an absolute minimum. ''These components are not bio-degradable and so not desirable,'' she explains.

A supporter of traditional handcrafted skills, Kashmiri embraces individuality in design, which is apparent in any one of her creations.

Her luxury line is aimed at the mid-high end of the market and the clean lines of the products have a very obvious emphasis on comfort and convenience, with no added frills whatsoever.

''The products might come in birch and papaya, but because they are veg-dyed they will definitely take on a darker shade over the years. It's this unique shade that I find very alluring,'' says the designer.

The UK-based designer retails from Bread n Honey on Olde Street in London, Last Boutique in Brighton and also online through www.thenaturalstore.co.uk. She recorded a very good response at the fashion week, with buyers coming in from far-flung places; though the Americans found her totes ''a tad too expensive''.

Author: Paula Ray

(The author is a freelance writer)