I didn't have a clue how to pronounce their name at the time (I've since learned that it's "ax-en-tee-oo"), but I fell a little bit in love with Afxentiou when I spotted their handmade washbags and other accessories at Clothes Show Live at the end of last year. You know those times when you see something that would make a great present for a friend, buy it as a completely altruistic gesture then realise when you come to wrap it that there's no way you could bear to give it away? That was me with my Afxentiou cosmetic bag in December. We just couldn't be parted.
It may look like nothing more than a simple sponge bag with a basic polkadot print, but these bags are beautifully well made, and need to be seen 'irl' to be appreciated, and appreciate I did. If you like something a bit more sophisticated in your bathroom, there's a lovely rainforest print version here, and they also make a series of laminated handbags that could soon be putting Cath Kidston to shame.
Wash bags: £10 at Afxentiou