After working on a new range of accessories for six months, designer Thula Sindi believes the expansion of his line is a natural progression of his brand. "Apart from making clothes, I've always played around with the idea of creating an accessory line," he says."By adding shoes and bags to my growing brand, people can have a complete Thula Sindi look."After more than a decade in the fashion business, designing mostly women's clothing, Sindi is turning his creative talents to developing a more complete brand.In February, he revealed his menswear collection at the Design Indaba in Cape Town and in June, he opened his first standalone store at The Zone in Rosebank, Johannesburg.During a holiday in Lisbon, Portugal, last year, Sindi was impressed by what Portuguese designers could do with cork fabric.Apart from loving the idea of working with cork, Sindi believes there is potential for trade between South Africa and Portugal."The two countries are going through similar economic crises and perhaps we can support each other," he says.Sindi has taken this traditional Portuguese material and created a range of fashion accessories with it.Though his 2015 Spring/Summer collection was filled with bold, bright designs, Sindi, who has always placed strong emphasis on simplicity and sophistication, has kept the range confined to natural cork tones.It includes handbags, slit bags, loafers , sandals, belts, coin wallets and bucket hats.Shoes are available from size 3 to size 7. Bags and purses are priced from R300 to R3 000. Available at Thula Sindi, Shop FF23, The Zone, Rosebank, 011-268-0802..