British handbag designer Anya Hindmarch has
been named Veuve Clicquot’s businesswoman of the year.
Hindmarch, who cites Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher as her inspiration, saw off competition from City heavyweight Helena Morrissey, chief executive of Newton Investment Management.
The 43-year-old designer said in an interview that Thatcher's Britain gave her the incentive to set up her own company.
'There was quite a feeding frenzy of start-ups,' she told The Guardian. 'And it's very catching. That's what's exciting now. If you get one, you get three; if you get three, you get nine.'
In fact, the feeling of admiration is mutual. As Hindmarch admits to being a 'big fan' of Thatcher, in turn, the former Primer Minister has a fondness for Hindmarch. Indeed a new exhibition of the Iron Lady's belongings is to include an Anya Hindmarch bag.
'It's rather lovely,' Hindmarch said.
And the accolade certainly proves the growing importance of luxury British brands to the UK economy.
'Hopefully women will sit up and realise it's really exciting starting a business,' Anya enthused.
Anya Hindmarch bags can fetch up to £2,895 and also offers a bespoke service where fans can choose their own leathers onto which their initials can be embossed.
Hindmarch counts celebrities including Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Angelina Jolie and The Duchess of Cambridge among her fans.
The 43 year old designer became the award’s 40th winner this week when she was presented with the honour by home secretary Theresa May at Claridge’s hotel in London.
Previous winners of the award include Dame Anita Roddick at The Body Shop.
Hindmarch exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. During her gap year in Italy she spotted a bag she liked, found a factory and started producing the design.
She sold her first bags through the classified ad pages in Harper’s & Queen magazine and went onto open her first boutique in 1993. Since then her business has grown from one London shop to 57 outlets, with stores in New York and Tokyo.
She was honoured with an MBE in 2009 and last year was made a UK Trade Ambassador by David Cameron alongside Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon.
This year, alongside Net-a-Porter founder, Natalie Massenet, Hindmarch is also pledging her support for embryo entrepreneurs by partnering the School for Creative Start-ups founded by Dragon's Den investor Doug Richard.
Dubbed an 'MBA for creatives' the school will run workshops and year-long courses across fashion, design, performing arts and digital industries.
Hindmarch, who cites Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher as her inspiration, saw off competition from City heavyweight Helena Morrissey, chief executive of Newton Investment Management.
The 43-year-old designer said in an interview that Thatcher's Britain gave her the incentive to set up her own company.
'There was quite a feeding frenzy of start-ups,' she told The Guardian. 'And it's very catching. That's what's exciting now. If you get one, you get three; if you get three, you get nine.'
Anya Hindmarch has been crowned Veuve Clicquot
businesswoman of the year
In fact, the feeling of admiration is mutual. As Hindmarch admits to being a 'big fan' of Thatcher, in turn, the former Primer Minister has a fondness for Hindmarch. Indeed a new exhibition of the Iron Lady's belongings is to include an Anya Hindmarch bag.
'It's rather lovely,' Hindmarch said.
And the accolade certainly proves the growing importance of luxury British brands to the UK economy.
'Hopefully women will sit up and realise it's really exciting starting a business,' Anya enthused.
Anya Hindmarch bags can fetch up to £2,895 and also offers a bespoke service where fans can choose their own leathers onto which their initials can be embossed.
Hindmarch counts celebrities including Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Angelina Jolie and The Duchess of Cambridge among her fans.
The 43 year old designer became the award’s 40th winner this week when she was presented with the honour by home secretary Theresa May at Claridge’s hotel in London.
Previous winners of the award include Dame Anita Roddick at The Body Shop.
Hindmarch exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. During her gap year in Italy she spotted a bag she liked, found a factory and started producing the design.
The Duchess of Cambridge toted
Anya Hindmarch's Maud clutch when she met Michelle Obama last year
She sold her first bags through the classified ad pages in Harper’s & Queen magazine and went onto open her first boutique in 1993. Since then her business has grown from one London shop to 57 outlets, with stores in New York and Tokyo.
She was honoured with an MBE in 2009 and last year was made a UK Trade Ambassador by David Cameron alongside Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon.
This year, alongside Net-a-Porter founder, Natalie Massenet, Hindmarch is also pledging her support for embryo entrepreneurs by partnering the School for Creative Start-ups founded by Dragon's Den investor Doug Richard.
Dubbed an 'MBA for creatives' the school will run workshops and year-long courses across fashion, design, performing arts and digital industries.
Bruton butter leather in white, £895
Pimlico in tan, £795
Huxley tole in python skin £2895
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