Founder www.anyahindmarch.com
Most nineteen year olds are just starting out on their own; at nineteen Anya Hindmarch was starting a business. Always in tune to the shape, the feel, the size and the construction of handbags, Anya was intrigued by the distinctive drawstring, leather duffel bags she saw while living in Florence. Having grown up in a family of business success stories, she didn’t hesitate upon her return to England to design her own version and launch a line of handbags. Her small purse business was humming along out of her home when British high society magazine Harper’s and Queen commissioned her to create a special offer bag, effectively catapulting Anya into the spotlight. 500 of the bags were sold and it was then, loyal purse-lovers, that the Anya Hindmarch brand was born.
From the very beginning Anya immersed herself in her love of accessories, design, and detail which helped make her first store on London’s Walton Street a favorite of Princess Diana. More London stores followed on Sloane Street and Bond Street as well as in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. Carried by leading department stores and boutiques from Milan to Paris, Anya Hindmarch bags are slung over the celebrity shoulders of Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Claudia Schiffer, and Reese Witherspoon.
In both 2006 and 2007 Anya was the Glamour Magazine Designer of the Year and was deemed Designer Brand of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2007. Particularly well-known for her limited edition “I’m Not a Plastic Bag” eco-tote, Anya has never been afraid to use her influence to promote social change, clearly making her brand the clutch to carry.
What we learned from Anya: There’s nothing wrong with congratulating yourself on a goal reached, a hurdle jumped, or a job well done. But don’t dwell so much on success that you stop moving. Always think about what’s next.
A passion For Purses
I’ve always been passionate about handbags, about how they make you feel and affect your mood. I enjoy the shape, the proportion, the engineering. I love pondering such questions as “Is it comfortable? Does it scratch? Is it too busy? Annoying? Does it close easily?” Bags of course are beautiful and artful, but the practical part is important to me too. When I think about the way women bond with their handbags, I think of actors preparing for a part, needing to wear their character’s clothes and shoes, and spending time walking around on the set. I think it’s the same way for women and their handbags. A connection occurs that I love being part of.
Fabric Snafu
When I first started in 1987 I worked from home. What a wonderful way to begin! My business was very small and I had low overhead. And really I didn’t always know what I was doing but I had my passion. Things of course went wrong and I had some manufacturers treat me badly, but I was never going to give up. I once added too many zeros at the end of the measurements for a roll of fabric. It took me years to use it all up! I’m now more careful.
Business is in the Bag
When you’re selling a product rather than a service out of your house, you have to learn when the buyers are buying, you have to go to fashion week, you have to get press. But when I opened my first store I learned the vital importance of talking to customers. I would talk to person after person to learn lessons about what works and what doesn’t. I eventually hired an assistant. She’s still with me 14 years later because from the start it was a high priority to treat my employees well
These days I love to surprise people every once in a while by showing up behind the counter in a store. But I don’t get to interact with customers like I once did which is too bad. I used to love it. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing someone’s excitement when she finds the perfect bag.
Asking for Help
I could never keep this business going without having a brilliant team of help around me. My support network and my dedication to writing lots of lists are what ensure I’m able to run this business and raise five kids ages 20, 18, 16, 8, and 5 at the same time. No working mom should ever be afraid to ask for help. It can’t be done without it.
The Task at Hand
My advice to other entrepreneurs is never give up. When you start a business, you’re pursuing something you love which in my case is design. But the reality of running the operation involves lots of less exciting bits like securing financing, growing at a careful pace, and asking the right questions. Passion is essential but businesses fail when people don’t get good advice and aren’t willing to energetically participate in the less-than-fun parts.
Success by Design
I want my brand to represent beautiful design, personality, quality, and a little bit of humor while always being practical. I’ve branched out into shoes, luggage, and a beach collection but I will never sacrifice meticulous attention to detail. I’m very involved in the creation of everything I sell. I have a passion for what I do and for the team I work with. I would never sacrifice that. I now have fifty stores. It’s all become so grown up!
This Featured Lady was profiled by Susie Lacey, Associate Editor, Ladies Who Launch
