Who Is Anya Hindmarch? Meet the Designer Behind the Coveted “Universal Bag”

Born on May 7, 1968, in Maldon, Essex, Anya Hindmarch grew up in a household she once likened to a “board meeting,” largely shaped by her father’s plastics business. Her interest in accessories began early, sparked by a handbag her mother gave her as a child.

Determined to start a business of her own, she chose to move to London over university at 18 years old. In 1987, at just 19, she launched her label by importing Italian-made bags and promoting them through a placement in Harpers & Queen, a prominent British fashion magazine. An initial order of 500 pieces set the foundation. With roughly £7,000 in early profit, she formally established the company.

By 24, she had opened her first boutique on Walton Street in London, cementing her position within the city’s luxury landscape. Without formal design training, Anya approached the industry with instinct and conviction, focusing on products she personally valued.

Her eponymous brand is rooted in modern craftsmanship, imagination, responsibility, humor, and personalization. Alongside seasonal collections, it offers a Bespoke service—described by Anya as being about “having your name on something, rather than mine.”

Sustainability remains central to the brand, as evidenced by initiatives such as the I Am A Plastic Bag collection and the Return To Nature program, both highlighting its long-term commitment to material circularity.

The “I’m Not A Plastic Bag” canvas tote debuted in 2007 through a collaboration with Antidote and the social change movement We Are What We Do (now Shift). Its launch prompted thousands to queue outside Sainsbury’s—80,000 on the first day alone—sparking international media attention and intensifying public discussion around plastic consumption.

According to the British Retail Consortium, the U.K. used 10.6 billion plastic bags in 2006, prior to the project. By 2010, that number had fallen to 6.1 billion. In the two years following the campaign, Sainsbury’s reduced distribution by 58%, handing out 312 million fewer bags in 2009 than in 2007 and saving 13,200 tons of virgin plastic.

Anya is also a longstanding supporter of British art and design. She serves as a trustee of Tate and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, is an Advisor to the Board of Trade, and an emeritus trustee of both the Royal Academy of Arts and the Design Museum. In September 2023, she formally joined the Board of Trade as an advisor.

In 2024, she was appointed Dame in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to fashion and enterprise, following her 2017 CBE recognizing contributions to the British industry. Over the years, both she and her label have received multiple accolades, including a British Fashion Award.

In 2021, she published her first book, the Sunday Times bestseller "If In Doubt, Wash Your Hair."

The Anya Hindmarch Universal Bag was conceived as an alternative to single-use grocery bags. Produced from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic, it was developed in partnership with the Solent Group, a global manufacturer of reusable bags. Made with long-term use in mind, the tote carries a 10-year guarantee and Global Recycling Standard certification.

The Universal Bag reflects the brand’s “Eco not Ego” philosophy—prioritizing practical shifts in daily habits over performative sustainability. By creating a carrier that customers genuinely enjoy using, the aim is to encourage repeated wear, addressing one of the core challenges tied to shopping totes.

Structurally, it features a boxy, open-top silhouette with a reinforced base that allows it to stand upright—ideal for groceries. The design features bold graphic branding, often including a smiley motif or statements such as “I Am A Plastic Bag.". The piece can be folded and secured with an attached strap or elastic, making it easy to stow inside another carryall.

In the Philippines, the design is exclusively available through The Marketplace, with distribution across 38 branches nationwide.

The local iteration arrives in the retailer’s signature palette: brown with yellow handles. The mini retails for Php 699, while the standard size is priced at Php 899.

This edition joins a broader international roster of Anya Hindmarch collaborations with grocery chains, including Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges Food Hall, Tesco, and Waitrose in the U.K.; City’SUPER and Taste in Hong Kong; National Azabu, Seijo Ishi, and Meidi-Ya in Japan; and Woolworths in Australia.

According to Christine Tueres, Managing Director of Food Segment (Big Formats), Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc., the Philippine-exclusive launch aligns with The Marketplace’s sustainability-driven direction.

“Partnering with Anya Hindmarch on The Universal Bag allows us to champion a more sustainable way of grocery shopping through a practical, long-lasting bag designed for everyday use. By offering both sizes—the regular and mini bags—nationwide, we hope to make it easier for customers to incorporate thoughtful, reusable choices into their daily routines,” she expressed.