Swiss fashion brand sells used Thai cement bags as backpacks for £152

Elephbo says it specialises in sustainable style

The backpacks are sold for £152

A Swiss fashion brand is selling backpacks made from used cement bags for £152.

Forget fancy “It bags” or expensive cocktail dresses made from the finest silk because an increasing number of fashion brands are selling styles that wouldn’t look out of place on a market stall, or in this case, a building site.

Hot on the heels of Zara’s controversial lungi skirt and Balenciaga’s rainbow-coloured shopping bag, a Swiss company is repurposing used Thai cement bags and turning them in to luxury garb.

Much to the amusement of locals, images of the bags have gone viral on Thai social media with people sharing photos of the logos they’re used to seeing on construction sites rather than shop windows.

“My friend in Germany sent me these pictures. They look so familiar,” wrote the Facebook page which first shared the images.

“The cement bags from our home (in Thailand) have been turned into products sold at [European] shopping malls. The customers love these and think the bags are so chic.”

Others responded saying, “This is so funny”, while some joked that the cement company should be suing them for copyright.

The bags, which are combined with Italian leather, are sold by Swiss company Elephbo that claims to specialise in sustainable fashion.

According to its website, it “recycles cement bags in Cambodia to produce high quality products and contribute to a better environment and opportunities for local people.”

But while the simple backpacks might be made from mere scraps, they’re still being sold for a whopping 249 Swiss Franc (£191).

And a handy bag isn’t the only thing you can get your hands on. If a backpack doesn’t quite suit your style you can also pick up a purse (£68), baseball cap (£37) or even a pair of trainers (£191) all made out of used cement sacks.

The Independent has contacted Elephbo for comment.