AS a child growing up in South Africa, Loren Taylor used to make bags from banana leaves and bamboo. But these days her designs are far more ornate.

Her luxurious holdalls, clutch bags and totes now adorn the shiny shelves of some of London’s most exclusive stores including Peter Jones and John Lewis.

“I used to love making things out of reclaimed natural treasures – driftwood on a beach, peacock feathers, old fur – whatever I could find, “ she says.

These days her creations are hand-cut and stitched from the finest calf leathers with soft suede linings. Even the dust bags have handles and are made of 100 per cent drill cotton. In terms of quality, her creations are a match for the likes of designers like Lulu Guinness, only without the eye-wateringly expensive price tag. (Prices range from around £250 to £500).

“I wanted to make bags at reasonable prices so people like me, who appreciate quality and craftsmanship, can afford them.”

Her first collection, which launched in October, has already caught the eye of some of the UK’s top fashion editors including Grazia and the Daily Mail.

But what’s not so well known is the story behind her success. For unlike many of her competitors, 27-year-old Loren started from scratch.

Her British father died tragically in South Africa and the family returned to the UK. Loren moved to Dorset 11 years ago and currently lives with her mum in Wimborne.

“I funded myself through university,” she said Even when she was studying a four-year degree in cell biology and neuroscience at university, she was making clutch bags for sale at a local coffee shop.

“I did consider medicine for a while because my mother wanted me to have a career to fall back on but I have always been creative,” says Loren. “I would spend hours in the lab then go home and start work on my bags. The first time I saw someone out and about with one of my clutches it gave me such a buzz.”

Loren belives every girl needs just five perfect bag shapes to fulfil her wardrobe needs. “I get inspiration from my surroundings and the people around me too – all my bags are named after people I know.”

Her younger sister Kelly, 26, who works in finance in London, is also on board with the business which they set up together in 2008.

“My sister was the one who said to me , ‘You’ve been talking about this for three years, now let’s just go for it and I’ll support you’. We are complete opposites but somehow it works.”

A selection of Loren’s bags are also on sale at the Mine boutique in Wimborne.