“I studied and trained as a lawyer for 7 years and then decided to become a handbag designer” always wins a few blank stares or open-mouthed looks of astonishment. Two and a half years ago I decided that a law office in the city of London was definitely not the place for me. At the end of 2004 when I was finally ready for qualification, I left my job to concentrate on my growing fashion business Belen Echandia. I love it. Here I am (on the left in white skirt) with Rachel on our trip to Ecuador, picking the plants that are used to make the straw for Panama hats. That was never in a day’s work in the city!