Anya Hindmarch in ethical bag scandal

So much for Anya Hindmarch's ethical bag. The Evening Standard on Friday revealed the must-have carrier "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" is made in China using cheap labour. The bag, which has been photographed on many a model's arm, and has a waiting list of eager fashionista's at Hindmarch's boutique, is nothing but a sham. Furthermore, a backlash has begun against Sainsbury's, who promoted the bag and reported a sell-out of 20,000 units.

A campaign group highlighting the exploitations of workers in the fashion industry stated the bag in China dented the bag's ethical claims. The fact that the bags have been sent thousands of miles from Asia raised questions about whether its carbon footprint is threatening to offset its environmental benefits.

Martin Hearson, of pressure group Let's Clean Up Fashion, stated: "This is bordering on the hypocritical. There is an incompatibility in claiming a product is ethical and manufacturing it in China." Meanwhile, a spokesperson at Anya Hindmarch claimed the company never denied it was made in China and that it solely used its influence to promote ethical fashion.