I set up my accessories business Belen Echandia whilst I was working as a lawyer. It wasn’t so much a passion for handbags as a passion for business and I wanted to be creative. I had noticed a gap in the market for a company focusing on well-made products, attention to detail and above all, service. There were some beautiful accessories out there but they all seemed to be over-priced, mass-produced and sold by impersonal companies. Since I prefer value for money, limited edition and there is nothing like a warm, personal touch, I decided to start my own.

What’s in a name?

I prefer simple colours and designs, nothing too fussy and that is clear from the pieces I design for Belen Echandia. The bags are practical, easy to wear and made from really soft leather. One of the best parts of my job is receiving emails from happy customers. A common theme is handbag stroking - the leather is so soft it makes women want to stroke them! That was the inspiration for the ‘Stroke Me’ collection, shown below.

Stroke Me

It took me a long time to name my collections. Everyone was calling their bags after girls and women, but I wanted to do something different. The names are inspired by romantic gestures and friendly affection, since women often have an affinity with their hand bags usually saved for a boyfriend or a childhood friend.

This season we have a lot of pretty colours, like aquamarine and tan and metallics like gold, which is flecked with copper and black. I think it gives a more sophisticated look than straight flash gold. This aquamarine bag is one of my all-time favourites.