Startups Awards Product Business of the Year 2011

The Cambridge Satchel Company started as a homegrown mother-daughter business, with a simple vision to provide traditional school satchels to the children of Cambridge. Taking inspiration from Harry Potter but with a unique range of bold colours and styles, the collection soon caught the eye of the fashion world, starting a phenomenon. Having graced the pages of just about every fashion magazine in the UK, The Cambridge Satchel Company has featured in Vogue in six countries. Having collaborated with legendary fashion house Comme des Garcons, strong international demand has followed domestic success

www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk

Judges’ comments: The judges were swayed by the phenomenal growth of the company, which was founded by a mother and daughter three years ago. They are now making 3,000 bags a week in the UK and selling to 86 countries. Their range of traditional leather satchels come in modern colours and styles, and have been featured in just about every fashion magazine in the UK. Retailers are literally queuing up to stock them. The judges were equally impressed by their efforts to bring traditional manufacturing and craft skills back to the UK.