M&S has teamed up with London-based artist, Yinka Ilori to launch a new reusable shopping bag as part of an ongoing collaboration and shoppers are going mad for it.
Launched on Monday and costing only 60p, the new designer shopper bag has been coined as being M&S’ “most stylish and durable” carrier bag to date.
One of the most notable aspects of this partnership is that Yinka Ilori is a former M&S employee at the supermarket’s London Moorgate store, and the design was inspired by his time working at the retailer and dreaming about his designs on his commute home.
Yinka Ilori, who worked for M&S for eight years, said the bright and colourful design, which strays away from the iconic dark green of the supermarket, pays tribute to the “dreamer inside all of us”
The designer bag is made from 100% recycled plastic, including plastic from M&S’ stores and is fully recyclable.
It is also strong and can hold up to 15kg in weight, so shoppers do not need to worry about a soul-destroying bag split on their way home from grocery shopping.
Alongside this design, M&S is set to launch a second Yinka llori original later this year.
Yinka said: “I have great memories of my time at M&S while trying to set up my own studio.
“To be starting a new partnership with such a British icon feels a bit like coming home! It was a time in my life when I was dreaming up a lot of designs and ideas and I wanted to use those memories as the basis for these new artworks – encouraging everyone to keep dreaming.”
About his collaboration, Yinka said that "longevity" was hugely important to him and wanted to create pieces that can be reused again and again and made the most out of pre-loved materials.
He explained how it was "great" the bags were made using plastic from M&S stores.
M&S say the launch of the bag is already a success as on Monday, the supermarket sold over 10,000 bags across their food halls.
Sharry Cramond, food director of marketing at M&S said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be working with Yinka and welcome him back into the M&S family.
“I know our customers are absolutely loving the new design already - Keep your eyes peeled for the second bag later this year!”
He currently has an exhibition on at the London Design Museum called 'Parables of Happiness' where his old M&S name badge is on show.
