It seemed like people everywhere were scrambling all over each other to get their paws on the bag. Cut to a couple of days ago. Anya’s bag was re-issued, and the line of people outside Sainsbury’s in West London was incredible.

This limited edition designer shopping bag launched first in the UK at Anya Hindmarch boutiques, Colette and Dover Street Market and month later through Sainsburys supermarkets where 80,000 people queued in a single day, and thereafter the I’m Not A Plastic Bag eco-tote was nearly impossible to obtain.

The success of this bag prompted Anya to launch the bag in three different colours for other countries. All the bags are an instant sell out. In the US I’m Not A Plastic Bag launched with Ron Herman and then through Whole Foods Market.

In 2008, Anya was honored in the Queen's year-end awards. The Queen Mum bestowed upon Anya a MBE for the hit eco-friendly bag design. These awards are when the Queen bestows honorary knighthoods to Sirs and Dames such as Paul McCartney and Elton John, although Anya's honor is in a classification below knight: MBE stands for Member.

Source: Wikipedia, Alternativeconsumer, Plentymag