HANDBAG tycoon Anya Hindmarch isn't one to be daunted by a recession. Starting her business at the age of 19, this is her third and she reckons the positives of it are that it makes you careful with your money and more creative.
With 53 shops in 17 countries, her bags are seen on the arm of some of the world's most fashionable women, from Angelina Jolie to Scarlett Johansson and Sienna Miller, but it was the 2007 limited edition £5 canvas "I'm not a plastic bag" bags that
put her within reach of everyone. She was recently awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to the fasion industry.
Her autumn/winter collection will be in Harvey Nichols from 15 July and online at www.anyahindmarch.com. Small leather goods start from around £60, with day bags from around £585 and day clutches around £395.
Describe your perfect weekend? One with no plans because my life is so regimented, I like to spend it with my five children. On Saturday we like to take the equivalent of a country walk in Sloane Square gardens near our London home and to buy lunch at a farmers' market at the end of our street and on Sunday rent bikes in Battersea Park.
Who did you last receive a text from and what did it say? From my son a few minutes ago saying that he has arrived in Florence and that he loves me, which is very sweet from a 17-year-old. The one before that was from him about shaving his head.
Would your mother be proud of you? Yes. She got me into handbags by giving me a navy blue Gucci one for my 16th birthday, which was bewitching.
What's the most you've ever spent on a purchase, apart from a car or property? Too much to mention on a metallic Marc Jacobs coat.
What is your earliest memory? Sitting in the back of my father's E type and him explaining the concept of business to me.
Should you vote? If yes, how did you vote? Yes. I'm passionate about politics and will vote Conservative. I chaired their annual black and white fundraising ball last year. Politics is really exciting at the moment and there's a momentum for change. When I started my business, Margaret Thatcher was in power and she made all the difference to the UK. It was the days of Carphone Warehouse and Sock Shop and I remember buying British Gas shares in my school lunch hour. Despite the recession, business is really good for us at the moment as the Europeans are all coming back to London.
What is your most treasured possession? A long chain that has the initials of all my children and a little saint per child, plus charms from my staff; a pair of scissors, London bus, and a God and Empire charm you can wear if you get an MBE.
What do you remember better, your first car or first kiss? My first kiss, which went on to be a boyfriend for six years and who is now godfather to one of my children. And my first car was a very old gold metallic Golf.
If you didn't have your current career, what would you do? I'm obsessed with architecture and I would like to dabble more in art and play with a purer form of design. I would like to be in politics, have more children, start another business... A million things.
What do you think of celebrity? It's boring. It's been over used and overexposed by the paparazzi but there have always been celebrities and always will be.
What has been your greatest achievement? My family. Having children.
How old are you? 41.
Has the luxury fashion market shrunk? Probably globally but there has to be a natural cull and things that haven't been done with passion or conviction fall by the wayside and what remains is brands that have a reason to be there. It cuts away the dead wood and rejuvenates. I have been through three recessions and this is the worst but I find it motivating because it takes you back to your roots and why you got excited about that particular handbag in the first place.
There's a lot of psychology in fashion and no one notices another handbag, but as a woman you need to feel comfortable and confident so it's very important for those reasons. It's not a frilly subject. Handbags are very much about craftsmanship and I love how they are made.
Has it become distasteful to spend £1,000 on a handbag at the moment? It's distasteful to spend £1,000 on a handbag that you won't love and cherish all your life. There's nothing wrong with spending your money exactly how you want to. I would never tell people how to spend their money. I like to spoil myself and others occasionally but I do work for charity too. The idea of having an It Bag that's the same as everyone else seems wasteful and unluxurious. When our Cooper bag became an It Bag we felt very over exposed. It translates into sales and it's a great compliment, but I'm very wary of It Bags. I would rather have a slow-burner.
Why are your shops the most targeted by thieves? We were broken into last weekend again for the ninth time. We are really popular in gangland, but I'm so beyond that now.
How do you manage five children and a £20m empire? With humour, a list, a bottle of pink wine and the love of a good man.
How did you feel when 80,000 people queued for Sainsbury's "I'm not a Plastic Bag" cotton shoppers? It was amazing although it got out of hand at the end. The idea was always awareness, not profit so we achieved that fantastically. The numbers of plastic bags consumed have fallen form 13.3bn to 9.9bn.
How did you feel being made an MBE? Really thrilled. It made me really proud to be British, because it's done with such pomp and ceremony. It was great for my parents.
Does the queen have one of your bags? I've made her one but she didn't have it that day.
