5 Minutes with Anya Hindmarch

You started your career selling Italian handbags as a teenager. What gave you the confidence to do that at such a young age?

I grew up in an entrepreneurial family and around the language of business. I guess it must be in the genes.

Your designs have such a fun, distinctive identity. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Everywhere – I love to travel, visit art galleries and museums and spend as much time as I can with friends and family. Inspiration can come from anywhere.

Where did the Malibu collaboration come from and how do you choose your creative partners?

The Malibu graphics are iconic, that palm tree and sunset, and work so well on our high summer raffia pieces. Anya Brands takes our favourite household brands and turns them into artful fashion accessories.

You said: “Malibu brings back such happy summer memories for me”. Can you tell us more about this?

It feels like a bottle I would see on summer holidays and is something I associate with carefree, happy days.

What's the best business advice you've ever received?

Be yourself, everyone else is taken.

How has the luxury accessories market shifted since you launched the brand

Change is the only constant in this business. Over the years, there have been fundamental shifts in retail and consumer expectations and adapting to them is critical.

One of the biggest changes for me was opening The Village, a little parade of six shops around the Anya Cafe on Pont Street in London.

It was a bold move when many were questioning the relevance of bricks and mortar retail but, for me, retail is not just about selling – it is about creating an experience, building a community, and making people feel something when they interact with your brand.

You're known for championing sustainability. How do you balance that with the demands of running a luxury business?

Producing sustainably is an expectation nowadays and we believe in progress, not perfection. Sometimes perfect can be the enemy of good and we want to keep moving forward, learning more and adapting as we find better ways of doing things.

What does your creative process look like at the start of a new collection?

Usually something like…. ‘I love it, it’s the best thing I have ever seen, not sure, I hate it, actually it’s great.’

What's the business decision you're most proud of?

One of the things I love in business is creativity but at one point as chairman, CEO and with 5 children at different schools, life was very busy. I made the decision to reduce my role and focus on the creative side. After a while, I realised I really like running my own ship and took the decision to buy back the business. It was a defining moment for me.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My Mother - she is the epitome of elegance and grace.

How did you find the book writing process? Do you think you’ll write another one?

I really enjoyed the process. I wrote it in lockdown, a moment when we were all forced to stop and reflect. It was intended as a sort of manual, sharing some of the lessons I have learnt along the way. No plans for another at the moment.

Is there one thing your readers consistently highlight as the key takeaway from your book?

I’ve given many talks about my career and how I manage to juggle being a mother, stepmother, entrepreneur and woman in business. But the thing people, mainly women, always want to discuss with me afterwards is self-doubt and how I cope with it. The advice I always give – jokingly – is: ‘If in doubt, wash your hair.’ This resonates with most women, as we all know that when you feel good about yourself, you stand taller, you look people in the eye and it makes a huge difference. Doubt is fascinating because I think most people have doubt but don’t believe others do. Everyone has doubt: it’s there on our shoulders to keep us safe and to make us better versions of ourselves.

What's the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m addicted to wine gums.

How do you switch off from work - or do you?

I love being with friends and family, preferably over a long lunch that ends by lighting the candles and opening another bottle.

What's the most extravagant thing you've ever splurged on?

We love adventurous travel as a family, I find it much more relaxing than sitting on a beach.

If you couldn't work in fashion, what would you be doing?

I always wanted to be a singer.

What's the most treasured item in your wardrobe?

A vintage Claire Waight Keller black tuxedo that I wear with my crisp packet clutch. The gift that keeps on giving.

Favourite places to eat, drink and shop in London?

Museum and gallery recommendations welcome too! The Anya Cafe, of course. Also, anything Jeremy King. We are so lucky to have so many great museums and galleries in London. I love The Tate.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anya Hindmarch (@anyahindmarch)

What's next for Anya Hindmarch? Anything you can tease?

The Ice Cream Project will return for summer, so watch this space.

Anya Hindmarch