| Biography | Anya Susannah Hindmarch MBE (born 1968) is an English fashion accessories designer.
Hindmarch was born into an entrepreneurial family and attended New Hall School, an independent school in Chelmsford, Essex. At 16 Hindmarch was given an old Gucci handbag by her mother and at 18 she went to Florence to study Italian.
Noticing that a drawstring leather duffel bag was all the rage among fashionable women, Hindmarch borrowed $1,000 to import some bags to England. After sending it to fashion magazine Harpers and Queen from an introduction made by a friend, she sold 500.
After learning to produce her own bags in Hackney, Hindmarch opened a small shop in Walton Street, London aged 19, with her early products based heavily on Italian design principles. All her products she says are based on the quality of workmanship, and represent a design philosophy which is: British, humorous and personalised. Many of her products are named after London streets.
The Hindmarch company, now based in Battersea with her husband as Finance Director, now has more than fifty stores worldwide, include flagships in London, New York and Tokyo. The head office is housed in the stable block of a former brewery and houses the whole team, from design and communications to accounts. The company also has additional teams based in Tokyo and New York. Her designs are popular with both film stars and celebrities, including:Keira Knightley, Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Madonna, Claudia Schiffer, Margaret Thatcher and Reese Witherspoon, Emma Watson and Florence Welch.
Hindmarch has been a design consultant to British Airways and has designed their highly-covetable First Class amenity kits to much acclaim for 7 years. Hindmarch designed the gift bags given to guests at Vanity Fair's Oscar party since 2006, as well as the BAFTA gift bag.
To commemorate the tenth anniversary, the Bespoke Ebury was launched in 2003. Designed to be the ultimate luxury accessory, it is made from the finest leather or crocodile, and includes a secret message in the giver's own handwriting. The recipient's name can also be embossed onto the interior. A special serial number is assigned to each bag.
In 2008, Hindmarch launched a limited edition handbag for US retailer Target. Available at 1600 Target stores, available from 12 October through 26 December 2008. In the same year, Hindmarch collaborated with Selfridges to design a collection of Christmas hampers.
In 2013, Anya Hindmarch opened its New York flagship store on Madison Avenue. It marked two firsts for the brand: as well as unveiling the new global store design, it is also the first time the mainline and bespoke collections have been housed under one roof. Designed by interior architect Ilse Crawford, Anyas vision for the store was that of an artists studio: a creative space that brings energy and warmth to the retail experience. This concept is being rolled out globally
In April 2012, Hindmarch was named Veuve Cliquot businesswoman of the year. She is the 40th winner of the annual award, which has been previously won by Dame Anita Roddick and Dame Marjorie Scardino.
Hindmarch is a trustee of both the Royal Academy and the Design Museum, as well as a Governor for the University of the Arts London. Hindmarch co-chairs the RA's Summer Exhibition Preview Party, chairing with Tracey Emin in June 2009. She is a governor of the University of Arts, a non-executive Director of the British Fashion Council and trustee of Mother's for Children.
Hindmarch was made a UK trade ambassador in 2011, is a Birthday Honours Committee member and is on the Advisory Board for the Major of London |