Hemp seems to have been rediscovered in recent years: partly driven by increasing environmental concerns about pollution and the need to find more sustainable alternatives. Although 'hemp' is associated with the drug commonly called 'cannabis', industrial hemp used in the production of textiles does not have the same intoxicating characteristics! So don't sniff at these great eco-friendly bags from Sativa. Launched in the UK in 1997, they have rapidly become one of the market leaders with a range of versatile, stylish and fashionable bags.

EDITOR'S HOT PICKS

PS-29 Small size handbag. This is a great, handy little hemp handbag with long adjustable straps. Includes hooks so you can thread it through a belt, zipper compartment for change and magnetic button closure (the buckles on the front are just for display).

PS-35 Medium size handbag. This one's for all the grown-up ladies who simply cannot manage without all the daily essentials (wallet, cosmetic bag, mobile phone, I-pod....kitchen sink!). A bigger version of PS-29, this hemp handbag is one of Pure Sativa's best sellers. How can you possibly manage without one?

S10003 Two Tone Shopper. This is the one to buy your mum. A well-proportioned shopper with Two-tone shopper 1 Main zipper compartment, a Side zipper pocket, an Inner zipper pocket and Pure Sativa Key ring. It also features handles long enough to sling this bag of a shoulder or carry it like a shopper. Quite possibly the most versatile bestseller from the Sativa Range.

S10052 Multi-compartment shopper. Beloved of Asian Women everywhere, this multi pocket shopper is perfect for...er...shopping. The handles are long enough to hang this bag on your shoulders and it features four front pockets and a large capacity interior with zip fastening. One of our firm favourites.

PS-19 Briefcase/Rucksack. This versatile briefcase/backpack is ideal for the eco-friendly executive or student. Its main compartment fits a laptop plus accessories and it has a host of pockets for pens, calculators, notepads. Also features a key-ring holder, very durable but comfortable handles and a long adjustable strap.

Click here to view the range of Pure Sativa bags we have in stock.

BACKGROUND & USES OF HEMP

Hemp has been used for thousands of years - China has an unbroken history of hemp textile production dating back to 4500BC.Hemp seed is a highly nutritious source of protein and essential fatty oils, and was used as 'gruel' for centuries. Sailing ships around the world were dependent on canvas (from the word cannabis) and hemp rope. Hemp's ability to grow almost anywhere with minimal amount of fertiliser, resulted in it becoming an important crop of enormous economic and social value, and up to the 1920's it provided textiles for 80% of clothing.

ADVANTAGES OF HEMP

• Strength - Hemp is 3 times stronger than cotton thread.
• Environmental - Hemp requires minimal pesticide or herbicides to grow thus reducing pollution and costs (up to half the pesticides used in the USA are used on cotton); hemp grows quickly - it can grow 10-12ft in just 12-14 weeks; hemp can grow well almost anywhere at any latitude from Norway to the Equator.
• Versatility - Hemp has historically had hundreds of uses including textiles, canvas (for ships & artists), paints, food (hemp seed protein is of higher quality than soy), paper (including the bank notes in the UK) and building materials to name a few.

HEMP FACTS

• The original Levis jeans were made from hemp cloth for durability
• Henry Ford is said to have built his first car from hemp and other hemp-based materials
• Bibles and bank notes were made from hemp paper.

BACKGROUND TO PURE SATIVA

The Sativa range has taken 3 years of research to develop a blend of hemp and cotton to achieve a high quality material with the durability of hemp and the softness of cotton. This effort and investment has resulted in a revolutionary material far ahead of rivals in terms of quality and durability. Once beloved only by poor students, hemp has recently been gracing catwalks as clothing material and in accessories like the great range of Pure Sativa handbags.

Click here to view the range of Pure Sativa bags we have in stock.

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