MY FASHIONABLE LIFE: ANYA HINDMARCH

FASHION DESIGNER ANYA HINDMARCH, 51, ON DITCHING COOL, SHOPPING VINTAGE AND THE HANDBAG THAT WILL BE GOING TO HEAVEN WITH HER

The designer on creating reusable bags that spearheaded a movement and the accessory from her collections she wants to be buried with

WHEN I WAS 16, MY MUM GAVE ME HER OLD GUCCI HANDBAG.

I still remember how that made me feel. Like a grownup; cool and confident. It was kind of ridiculous that a piece of leather, a vessel for carrying things, could make me feel so different but that’s what fashion does. It alters your mood.

I ALWAYS THOUGHT STYLE WAS ABOUT BEING COOL.

Of course, now I know that it is about being yourself. There is an Oscar Wilde quote that goes, ‘Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.’ Real style is being you.

MY BIGGEST FASHION MISTAKE WAS GETTING A FRINGE.

I don’t mind my big nose, but it really doesn’t suit a fringe.

THE FIRST ITEM I BOUGHT WAS A PAIR OF BRIGHT RED BOOTS.

They had jagged lightning bolts on the edge and a very 198Os triangular heel. I wore them every day for months. They made me realise clothes are about what they do for you. You can put on a great pair of shoes and they make you walk taller. Or if I’m going to a board meeting, I can put on a certain combination of clothes that make me feel like the best version of myself.

I HATE THE IDEA OF MY CLOTHES WEARING ME.

I don’t want to be noticed for my clothes; I want to be noticed for me. If my clothes are intrinsically louder than who I am, it doesn’t feel authentic. I don’t like noticing what I’m wearing. I want to get dressed and forget about it.

ITALIAN WOMEN ARE THE MOST STYLISH PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

My friends there will wear their boyfriend’s shirt tucked into a pair of jeans with a jumper tied around their neck and an incredible vintage shoe. It’s not try-hard. It’s not even really fashion. Those people influence fashion, rather than wear it.

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO WEAR SOMETHING RIGHT AWAY, THEN DON’T BUY IT.

The best fashion advice I’ve learned over the years is that if something is a fad, as much as I may think I love it now, I’ll hate it five minutes later.

MY ‘THIS IS NOT A PLASTIC BAG’ HOLDALL SPEARHEADED A MOVEMENT BACK IN 2OO7.

The planet needs us to stop endlessly buying new clothes, and I’ve never liked having too much stuff, so I’ve learned to think about how to curate a wardrobe that is something I can endlessly go back to.

IT FEELS NICE TO WEAR THINGS THAT AREN’T NEW.

I’ve got a vintage black Ossie Clark dress that I bought about 1O years ago and I wear it every single summer. In terms of pay per wear, it’s now basically free.

I’D LIKE TO BE BURIED WITH ONE OF MY TEENY VELVET EVENING CLUTCH BAGS.

It’d have my initials on in rainbow crystals. I think it could be quite nice as my calling card for heaven – if I get into heaven – just to remind me of who I am.