In Sunday night?s Oscars extravaganza one evening bag caught the attention of the fashion Press. Carried by presenter and Best Actress award winner Charlize Theron, it was a small, silver pouch designed by former Bermuda resident and fellow South African Lana Marks.

The neat little handbag complemented Miss Theron?s nude beaded Gucci gown by Tom Ford and her 46-diamond drop earrings by Chopard.

Miss Theron is the latest in a long line of Hollywood celebrities, royals and political figures to carry the signature Marks handbags, among them the late Princess Diana, Oprah Winfrey, First Lady Laura Bush, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Julianna Moore, Angela Bassett and Reese Witherspoon.

Marks handbags have also carried by actresses in major motion pictures, such as ?Ms Congeniality? starring Sandra Bullock, and ?The Score? starring Angela Bassett.

Mrs. Marks was the official handbag and accessory consultant for the 2000 Academy Awards. She operates out of her international headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida, and describes her designs as ?combining architectural and sculptural lines with breathtaking colours and richly textured, exotic leathers?.

The handbags are hand crafted in Italy and sold in the toniest of locations, including Madison Avenue in New York City; Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills; Palm Beach, Florida; Aspen, Colorado; as well as Las Vegas, Houston, London and Paris.

During the 1970s/80s, Mrs. Marks was Bermuda?s champion singles and doubles tennis player. Her husband, Dr. Neville Marks, was a practising psychiatrist.

Miss Theron won her first Oscar for her portrayal of real life serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a highway prostitute executed for murdering her johns in ?Monster?.