Meet Montreal's Deborah Adams: witty, charming, ex-Brit dame who takes boxy leather jackets from the eighties and turns them into gold. Her line of second-hand leather clutches, purses, backpacks and belts are as beautiful as they are light on the planet.

Rachel proudly rocks two Deborah Adams bags, three of her belts, and is eyeing up the clutch pictured above. Who can resist?

We asked Deborah to talk a bit about her choice to work with second hand leather, and the other ways she incorporates an eco ethos in her business.

B&B: How did you start working with second hand leather? was it deliberate? an accident?

Deb: I started working with second hand leather because it was cheaper and easier to find than new leather, which I found repellant (the abattoir, tanning, pollutants etc. ), and I wanted to start making accessories with a difference. So it was a deliberate decision.

B&B: What do you like about working with leather that isn't new?

Deb: I like working with leather from clothing as often I am inspired by the details on the item, and like the bespoke aspect of making one of a kind bags form one of a kind articles.

B&B: Is it important for you that your business have an eco focus? Are there other things you do, aside from working with second hand leather, to be eco?

Deb: It is important to me to be eco in my business, as there are many complacent attitudes in fashion, and easy temptations coercing designers to conform to its machinizations, such as cheap materials, mass produced, outsourcing, and ultimately low standard products lacking originality and skill.

I try to live an eco life such as buying local, including food and clothing, and living with choices that give me a clear conscience.

You can get in touch with Deborah and see more of her designs at www.deborahadamsdesign.com.