Anya Hindmarch

Early life Hindmarch was born to Michael (a plastics company owner) and Susan ( Cooper) Hindmarch. She attended New Hall School, an independent school in Chelmsford, Essex. In 1986, she went to Florence to study Italian for a year.

Career Hindmarch launched her label in 1987, when she was 19, inspired by a drawstring leather duffel bag many fashionable Italian women carried. Although the UK economy was in a recession, Hindmarch borrowed some money to import some bags to England, and sold 500 through the fashion magazine Harpers and Queen. she started having her own bags made in Hackney. The canvas totes sold for £5 and were selected by Vanity Fair to be included in their "Oscars" goodie bags.

In 2008, she launched a limited edition handbag for US retailer Target. In the same year, Hindmarch collaborated with Selfridges to design a collection of Christmas hampers.

In 2009, her company opened a bespoke workshop at its Pont Street store in London. By that time, the company was headquartered in Battersea, in the converted stable block of a former brewery.

In 2013, Hindmarch opened its New York flagship store on Madison Avenue that sold both manufactured and bespoke bags.

In 2021, Hindmarch launched the Village, her brand’s retail development on London’s Pont Street in Chelsea, comprising four permanent stores, the brand's 'Anya Cafe' and a space which hosts rotating concepts including the Ice Cream Project during the summer and Anya's Grotto at Christmastime.

Business details In 2006, the company took on outside investors, and was valued at $38 million. In April 2026, the company was granted the honour of a Royal Warrant by appointment to Queen Camilla.

Awards and honours 2006 Glamour magazine Designer of the Year 2007 Glamour magazine Designer of the Year 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award – Elle magazine 2008 2009 Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009 for services to the British fashion industry 2009 Bravery in the Face of Adversity Award, Luxury Briefing 2009 Named one of 25 most influential people working in fashion industry by BFC 2010 Conde Nast Traveller Innovation and Design Award for Bespoke 2011 Awarded an honorary doctorate by Anglia Ruskin University 2012 Veuve Cliquot businesswoman of the year 2014 British Fashion Award for Accessory Designer at the British Fashion Awards 2015 Glamour magazine Designer of the Year 2016 Elle magazine Accessories Designer of the Year award 2016 Walpole award for digital innovation in British Luxury 2017 Awarded an Honorary doctorate by Essex University 2017 Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to fashion 2024 Awarded a Damehood in the King's 2024 Birthday Honours 2024 Winner Best Luxury Brand at the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2024 2024 Winner Best Impact Campaign Country & Townhouse Future Icons Awards 2024

Previous appointments Hindmarch was on the Promote London Board for the Mayor of London from 2009 until 2011, a UK trade ambassador from 2011 until 2016 and a Birthday Honours Committee member from 2013 until 2019.

Personal life In 1996, she married James Seymour, a widower with three children, who is a grandson of Sir Horace Seymour, and he joined the company soon after as its finance director.