Monika Jarosz - handbags and accessories made with Australian toads

Polish fashion designer Monika Jarosz poses with one of her purses made with Australian cane toads in Paris. Ms Jarosz says her Kobja brand was inspired by the fairytale idea of a toad transformed into Prince Charming.
 Picture: AFPSource: AFP

YOU may know cane toads as a poisonous ecological invader, but one fashion designer has turned them into a hot fashion accessory.

Polish designer Monika Jarosz's luxury Kobja brand inspired by the fairytale idea of the "toad that transforms itself into Prince Charming".

The high-end leather items, which come in an array of colours including vermilion red, emerald green, turquoise, fuchsia and black, are now sold in Asia, Europe and the US.

A purse can cost between between 220 and 250 euros ($300 and $360), depending on the country, while a large bag would be priced at around 1200 euros.

Now sold in luxury goods shops or concept stores in Tokyo, Beijing, New York, Paris and Berlin, Ms Jarosz's quirky products have developed an almost cult-like following among some customers.

Would you wear them? I know I would! they look aaa-maaa-ziiing

official site: http://www.kobja.com/