Bag designer named Entrepreneur of the Industry

The entrepreneur behind Clippykit, the Portobello Road market cult handbag carried by Helena Bonham Carter, Debbie Harry and Jools Oliver, has been recognised by the promotions industry.

Calypso Rose, entrepreneur and creative force behind the Clippykit bag and range of PVC fashion accessories, has won the Entrepreneur of the Industry Award 2007.

The Entrepreneur of the Industry Award is a nationwide annual search by the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) for the UK's promotional marketing industry leader, from a sector worth GBP20 billion per annum.

Calypso Rose was selected as the winner by a panel of leading UK promotional marketing industry experts and business leaders, including The Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry, as the Entrepreneur of the Industry 2007 from a strong, highly competitive list of entrants.

The judges nominated Calypso Rose to win on the strength of her innovative concept, entrepreneurial drive and business success.

Calypso, a 27-year-old designer, came up with the concept of the Clippykit brand whilst designing a bag for her photographs and mementoes on the kitchen table.

The bag was so versatile and unusual that she was constantly being stopped in the street and asked 'where can I get one of those?' After an initial business loan Calypso sourced a plastics manufacturer and subsequently put the bags into production.

From a small stall on Portobello Road the bags were formally launched to the general public where they proved an instant success.

In 2004, the range, now called Clippykit, began to achieve a celebrity following with the likes of Thandie Newton, Helena Bonham Carter and Jools Oliver being seen with them.

From one bag Calypso has developed a range of 25 products and sold over 200,000 pieces last year.

Clippykit is now sold in department stores nationwide, and was a best-selling Christmas product in Selfridges and Harrods two years in a row and is also now stocked in John Lewis and House of Fraser stores.

Because of the versatile nature of Clippykit it is also stocked in The National Portrait Gallery, Museum of London and over 300 small independents.

The promotional marketing sector recognised the potential of Clippykit as a key sales promotion opportunity with brands including L'Oreal, Babybliss, Aga, the Orange Prize for Fiction and, most recently, the Brit Awards all using Clippykit bags as part of their promotions.

The Entrepreneur of the Industry Award was created and launched by The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) in 2006.

The initiative recognises both entrepreneurial flair, innovative business concepts and proactive business approach, which has proven successful in the promotions and incentives industry - the industry which shapes sales promotion campaigns across UK and globally.

BPMA Chairman David Lebond commented: "It's one thing to design, market and sell a product which consumers will love, it's entirely another thing to use that product to help brands sell their products as well.

"Calypso Rose has done both and proven to the sales promotion industry that she is an all-rounded success, astute businesswoman and a model to all, coming out of the industry of ideas - promotional marketing".

The Entrepreneur Of The Industry Award has been developed by the BPMA, which comprises hundreds of member companies, following strong demand for greater recognition of excellence in the GBP20 billion promotional marketing industry.

The Award is open to any candidate from the many areas of the creative and vibrant promotional marketing industry.

The potential winner could come from any size of company, from sole trader to multinational, including agencies, manufacturers, service providers, suppliers, printers, buyers, sourcers, distributors and product designers.

The distinguishing factor will be that the winner must be able to demonstrate growth with financial performance, innovation, impact on the industry, long-term sustainability and above all entrepreneurial flair.

Entries may be submitted by the individual or be nominated by colleagues and industry peers.

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