HANNAH CLUGSTON charts the progress of designer eelskin bags from the rubbish heaps of South Korea to a design studio in York.

WHAT do eels, South Korea and Kate Middleton all have in common? The answer is they are all connected to Makki, the luxury handbag company owned and designed by York-based Joanne Temperton.

The luxurious and colourful bags are made from eel skin and were first conceived in South Korea. They are now loved the world over – and can count Kate Middleton as a fan.

Next year marks the York brand’s tenth anniversary, but the bag began life as the solution to a problem.

Designer Joanne explains: “I was living in South Korea and I came back to England wanting to launch a luxury handbag brand, but a brand that was eco-friendly.

“They eat a lot of eel in South Korea, so the skin is a natural by-product of the food industry.”

In the nine years that followed, Joanne has nurtured Makki into becoming a brand sought after by premier boutiques, celebrities and top stylists.

She attributes a large part of the success to her unique use of eel skin.

“It’s a beautiful soft skin, but it’s three times stronger than cow hide. It’s known for its strength and durability and it dyes to really strong colours.”

On first viewing, Makki is a carnival of hot pinks, mustard yellows and royal blues, but actually picking up a bag will win you over to eel skin forever.

As Joanne notes: “I met a lady just before Christmas who pulled an eelskin wallet out of her bag. It was at least 40 years old, and she said she’d been using it every day.”

A former student of marine biology, Joanne has since trained in fashion, photography and design.

But her creative process is not reliant upon academic training. “I design quite instinctively, it comes from inside.

“I do follow trends, but a lot of inspiration is from just being out and about in the world.”

Trade shows take her all over the world, with regular stops in London, Paris and Milan, and even further – the current spring/summer collection was inspired by Brazil.

Her stockist list also spans the globe, supplying such diverse places as Italy, France, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Oslo, Barbados, Tokyo, New York and Hong Kong.

And yet, this international brand is literally on our doorstep; the very same handbags that appear at the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair, London, can be found lining the shelves in Coxes on Shambles.

You’ll also find Makki handbags clutched under the arm of some of Britain’s most famous residents.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, personally purchased two Makki bags from a trade show in London, while Princess Anne is also rumoured to own one.

Other celebrity fans include actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Jamie Oliver’s wife, Jules. And Makki bags are set to become stars of their own, as top fashion stylist Andy Blake shot a couple for the film The Knot (due for release later this year) in the arms of leading ladies Mena Suvari and Talulah Riley.

Despite its global success, the Makki HQ is firmly nestled in the centre of York. So, what’s keeping Joanne here? Without hesitation she replies: “It’s just home. It’s beautiful and it’s lovely to wander by the river or meet a friend in town.

“It’s that city feel but without the hustle and bustle and you’re not that anonymous face, you can recognise people on the street.”

• The new Makki collection is about to be launched. For more, visit makki.co.uk