A MOTHER has turned her back on a high-flying accountancy job to follow her fashion dream.

A MOTHER has turned her back on a high-flying accountancy job to follow her fashion dream.

Gerry Campbell is giving ordinary women the chance to buy designer handbags - at bargain prices.

She is selling the handbags from her back bedroom.

The 41-year-old buys designer bags from overseas and sells them through her online store at a fraction of the High Street price. She also allows women to sell their old bags on her website to raise cash to buy new ones.

The former accountant, of Newton Mearns, launched the business last year.

As well as new bags, she has added the range of second-hand designer items to meet growing demand from customers.

She quit her career as a management accountant when her first son was born in 1996.

But, after 12 years out of the office, she decided she would rather spend her time balancing her own books than someone else's.

Gerry, who has three children, said: "I love fashion, particularly shoes, so my first thought was to sell those, but then I realised I would end up keeping all the stock for myself, so it had to be handbags."

So she began importing designer and fashion bags from Italy and selling them to friends and family.

But the business grew and she decided to go global. So she launched www.bagnificent.co.uk, which has attracted customers from as far afield as Europe, New York and Dubai.

She said: "We had a family brainstorming session with my children and their cousins to think of a name for the brand.

"Everyone shouted out suggestions, from Bagalicious to Bagalooloo, Bagamama to Bagnificent. In the end we plumped for Bagnificent.

"Our website has been getting plenty of traffic and we are looking to further extend our range. I could not be happier."

Her new Loved designer bag range has quickly proven a hit with buyers looking to recycle their old bags and pick up another exclusive bag at an affordable price.

Gerry said: "I had always wondered what ladies did with their old handbags when they wanted a new one. Now there is no need to throw away your old bag - we will sell them for you and give you 65% of the cash.

"A few customers have mentioned cash being a little tight and I think with the current economic outlook shoppers are generally looking for a good deal.

"Selling an old bag is environmentally friendly and it lets ladies raise some cash to help buy their next bag.

"With a pre-owned bag the customer gets to own something expensive and exclusive, but at a fraction of the price they would pay if it were a new purchase from a High Street store."