Fire hose handbag for auction

An Elvis & Kresse handbag has been donated to the Wessex Autistic Society for their ‘Helping Handbag Charity Auction’  The ‘box bag’ is made from genuine decommissioned fire-hose, previously deployed in active duty, fighting fires around the UK. It has an inside zip pocket and a hot orange lining made from reclaimed parachute silk.

Elvis and Kresse create stunning lifestyle accessories by re-engineering previously disposed of fire hose, destined for landfill. The brainchild of environmentalist Kresse Wesling and her partner, James Henrit, the entrepreneurs have created a pioneering social enterprise that already has Kresse recognised as a social ambassador. The company scrubs away all the soot, grease and everything else that builds up after thirty years of active duty and in the process reveal a remarkable, truly green and sustainable textile. Fifty per cent of profits made from these accessories go back to the Fire Fighters Charity.

Having started in London, Elvis and Kresse is now based in Poole, Dorset.

Kresse comments, “What we do is look at the material that needs to be recycled and then we reverse engineer. Depending on the material we might design something for the retail market or we might design something for the business-to-business market. The waste defines the market, and in the case of fire hosing, the material lends itself to style accessories and so we have found ourselves in the fashion industry. We love to be involved in charity and the local community and we are delighted to have the opportunity of working with The Wessex Autistic Society for the Helping Handbag Charity Auction.”

The auction is on 7 October in Bournemouth.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.eventelephant.com/ahelpinghandbag or by call 01202 703597.