London Handbag Designer Anya Hindmarch Gets MBE Honor By Queen

January 5, 2009 6:58 a.m. EST

London, England (CNS) - Anya Hindmarch, London handbag designer, is to be given an MBE (Member of British Empire) as part of the Queen's New Year's Honors list. The 40-year-old designer is given this honor for her eco-friendly bags, the Evening Standard reports.

Hindmarch launched The 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' eco-tote in 2007 in collaboration with the global social change movement 'We are What We Do' to try to influence people to stop using plastic bags. It became a fashion phenomenon, selling 80, 000 in just one day and help raises environmental awareness.

The success of this bag prompted her to launch the bag in three different colors for other countries. All the bags are an instant sell out. In the U.S. 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' launched with Ron Herman and then through Whole Foods Market.

She told the newspaper, "It is a real honor to be awarded an MBE. I am so proud to be British and am very fortunate to have started my business in London. To go to the palace and receive an award from the Queen is a real pinch-yourself moment for me."