The biggest perk of being the Bag Snobs is being able to interview incredible figures in fashion. One of our favorite designers, Anya Hindmarch was kind enough to allow us a 40 minute interview last week. She was excited to speak to us because she is a Bag Snob fan! How flattering is that? We are so incredibly excited to bring you an exclusive.
THE WOMAN
Anya Hindmarch is the epitome of a classic English beauty with flowing blonde locks and bright blue eyes. She kind of reminds us of us, speaks very fast and gets excited when talking about bags; she is a true girly girl who adores all things beautiful. She is a mother of five, 3 from her widower husband whom she married in her early 20′s and two more that they had together. She has passed down her good taste to her beautiful daughter who is already designing bags.
She is as obsessed with politics as she is with fashion. She is a notable environmental activist and thinks about the future she is handing to her children. An interesting piece of trivia no one knows about her is that she is a classically trained opera singer.
So how did this well rounded beauty become a heroine of handbags? It seems like Anya came out of the womb a bag snob. She made her first bag at the age 6 out of paper and made sure to include little compartments inside. She understood the importance of being organized even at an early age. When she was 16 she became fascinated by the psychology of handbags after her mother gave her a nice bag and it made her feel fantastic. It didn’t matter if you were dressed in sweats, a great bag instantly altered your mood. Something we can all relate to! Her future was sealed when she attended a fashion seminar given by a bag designer and right then and there knew that that was what she was meant to do. She immediately went home and designed a bag. At 18 she had her first complete collection of bags. In 20 years, she still sees herself obsessing over and designing bags.
With such inspiration behind her, it is no wonder she won the 2006 Glamour Accessories Designer of the year. There are currently 30 Anya Hindmarch stores worldwide. 17 new stores are slated for next year in New York, Asia and the Middle East, to name a few.
THE BAGS
The “Be a Bag”, a photo customized tote bag, was created by Anya in 2001 for a charity campaign. The proceeds benefit 20 charities around the world and the campaign is supported by over one hundred celebrities including Heidi Klum, Elle MacPherson, Trudie Styler, Emma Thompson, Elton John, Boy George and Vivienne Westwood.
Anya’s favorite bag and the one that makes us flush with excitement is the Bespoke Ebury bag. It is a totally customized bag in either matte crocodile or calf leather, 2 sizes, 7 colors, silver or gold hardware and a handwritten message and your name embossed on a metal plate inside the bag. The box the bag comes in also has your name embossed on it. “The Bespoke Ebury is a very special experience and is luxury at it’s best,” says Anya. And we couldn’t agree more and cannot wait for ours to arrive!! The large calf is $1650 and the large croc is $9950.
So what suggestions does she have for fellow Bag Snobs? She thinks that a woman should pick up a new bag every season as it will update her wardrobe. 
One like the hot Carker bag. It was designed 10 years ago but was brought back because Anya was sick of over-embellished bags. She wanted to get back to the basics because she feels that fashion is experiencing a shift towards classics. Her must have bag for Spring is the Elrod, a ’60s inspired retro bag with clean lines.
Anya’s bags are absolutely the hottest thing in London right now. They’re not the celebs’ “It” bag, they’re the fashion editors’ “It” bag. That is why the Anya Hindmarch client is a sophisticated bag snob.
Hail Anya Indeed!
Congratulations on the interview with the woman who champions the clean-lined bag for the busy-organized-fashionable-woman! I must confess how tired I am of the bags that are encrusted with chaos! Such wonderful and simple bags are a must for the woman who loves fashion and needs to have her life in her handbag, organized for her lifestyle! Thank you, Anya and long may you wave! XOXO, HK
Anya is one of my favourite bag designers. Simply adore her picture bags! Thanks for the wonderful piece of read.
Love Anya! She is not only one of the best bag designers out there, she is a warm hearted soul.
Yay the Carker! I have one in brown mock Croc – it truly is the bag of the season here in London
Simply stunning. Her bags are perfection. I’d like one of each please.
Hi,
I found your blog via google by accident and have to admit that youve a really interesting blog
Just saved your feed in my reader, have a nice day
The limited edition, Anya Hindmarch bag will be launched at London Fashion Week, available in participating Sainsbury’s stores from April and online through the We Are What We Do shop as part of an exclusive pack with the original inspiration for the bag, Change the World for a Fiver. (Retail price £10.) The designer bag will cost £5 and – in now inimitable We Are What We Do fashion, why not go to our shop now and leave your email address and we will let you know as soon as they arrive – no one involved in the project will make any profit from the sale of the product.
http://www.wearewhatwedo.org/shop
hai anya,
my wife always to dream to have anya bag, but in my country original anya bag very exvensive, therefore cuold you give my wife a bag for surprise,
thank’s for attention
guess what! my name is anya!
guess what! my name is anya!
guess what! my name is anya!
Anya
How do my husband Jack Sparrow and I become a rep for you here in Canada.
We have several web sites that we sell items on and your purse and envirinment consciuosness blend with ours.
I look forward to hearing back from someone in your organziation as I am sure it is extremely busy.
Please Please we are very interested in your product and distribution for Canada
Heather and Jack
902-462-0642
please can you tell me when i can but i “im not a plastic bag from ” i live in post code region S64 0HW i need one asap thank you.
Very good ideas to keep the writing moving along. I’ve definitely been to the “bubble bath and some wine” stage. Thanks for fueling my idea bank with some amazing ideas.