I have a varied professional background. I travelled the world as an Air Stewardess for Gulf Air and spent several years in the corporate world. It was in 2017, after years of travelling and commuting with a laptop, that I realised the huge gap in market for a laptop bag for women that was both practical AND beautiful. So, I did my research and it turns out that I wasn't the person that was looking for style and substance in a bag that I used every day. Alder was born. It was important to me to create an ethical brand that had quality and trust at the core. I source components from small businesses in the U.K and my leather products are made in Somerset in a workshop that has been hand making luxury leather goods for four generations. All Alder leather products come with a traditional lifetime guarantee on craftsmanship. In 2020/21 Alder was a finalist in the 'Best New Business' category in National Business Awards and I was awarded 'Best New British Fashion Accessory Designer 2021' in an SME British Made Awards. I will shortly be adding a handbag/crossbody bag to the Alder collection in response to feedback from women that don't carry a laptop but would like to own an Alder product.