A top celebrity sporran maker from Perth has been shortlisted for a prestigious accolade at this year’s Scottish Fashion Awards.
Marcus Eagleton who counts actor Samuel L. Jackson and David Beckham as clients is hoping to clinch the title of accessory designer of the year for his handbags.
Shaped like sporrans and custom designed, the bags have proven popular with many women, not least Eleanor Bowman the mother of Radio One DJ Edith and the reason he entered the competition.
“She has bought handbags from us for years now,” Marcus said.
“It was her idea that I went in for the Scottish Fashion Awards, even though I told her that I wouldn’t stand a chance next to everyone else.
“However, the next thing I knew was that the forms were sent through to me and I had to fill them in, as well as put together a portfolio of my work.”
The inspiration for the handbags came from a dislike of tartan accessories that Marcus describes as “cheesy.”
He told The Courier that he wanted women to be able to wear something that was identifiably Scottish, as well as being timeless and “wearable.”
“It seemed to me that there was nothing in Scotland that had a Scottish look about it all seemed to be very gimmicky,” he said.
“I would rather that they had the option of being able to buy something that they could be proud to wear.Attention”They can be worn almost anywhere and girls get just as much attention for their bags as men get for their sporrans.
“Because each one is made individually, people are getting something that little bit different rather than being forced to go with the limited choices available on the high street.”
Marcus, who runs Scottish Sporrans on Perth’s George Street with his mother Janet, learned about his success in the Vogue.com-sponsored competition last week.
While most people would have cracked open a bottle of champagne to celebrate, a strict embargo on releasing any details meant the sporran-maker had to keep his nomination secret.
He added, “I went away rock climbing for a few days to keep out of everyone’s way and make sure that I didn’t let anything slip.
“All I keep thinking now is how cool it is that I’m up for an award that has been sponsored by Vogue. You don’t really get much bigger than that.”
With the ceremony just weeks away, Marcus will be taking to the hills again to try to decide what he will wear to wow the judges.
He also let slip that he would be planning something “pretty spectacular” for the event, which will take place at Glasgow Science Centre on June 20.
However, despite an impressive client list and a number of famous fans, he remains modest about his chances in taking home the top prize.
“I don’t think I have a chance of winning but it’s still great to be nominated and I’m completely and utterly happy just with that,” he said.