Barton to launch own handbag range

Actress Mischa Barton is set to launch her own line of handbags in London, it has emerged.

The 22-year-old star of The OC is keeping the exact details of the designs under wraps, but they will officially go on sale in London on July 2nd, according to Elle magazine.

Barton's designs are purported to be based upon inspiration she gained from her worldwide holidays and are believed to all be finished with a motif that she has drawn herself.

The collection will be available from stores such as Debenhams, Fenwicks and John Lewis in the UK, although no prices are yet known.

"Mischa has always loved fashion and especially handbags, which is why she jumped at the chance of creating her own line with a team of designers," a representative of the actress told the magazine.

Barton, who was born in the UK but moved to New York City at the age of four, is set to appear in a new adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland called Malice in Wonderland.

The film - directed by Simon Fellows - will begin production in the UK in June and is described as a modern twist on the original tale, although some people have already branded it creepy and totally different to the original.