Anya Hindmarch, the woman behind her eponymous handbag and accessories empire, has said that the company is on the “attack mode” in China, despite her luxury rivals retrenching amidst a consumer slowdown.
The business enjoyed a 21pc boost in sales last year to £34.4m as stars of social media, such as Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, have championed the brand’s irreverent designs, which include backpacks with cartoon space invader designs and shoes covered in 1980s high street logos.
SEE ALSO: Hindmarch: “Strong retail partnerships rely on mutual goals”
Anya Hindmarch online sales alone grew by 49pc during the year, according to accounts seen by The Telegraph, as the company has overhauled its websites, apps and online platforms to keep up with increasingly demanding consumers.
[Tweet ““Luxury is all about being efficient and [giving] the customer what she wants,” – Anya Hindmarch”]
Hindmarch started her business straight out of school aged 19 selling duffel-bags she made in Florence, but stepped down as chief executive in 2011 to focus on the creative side of the company.
Helen Wright, who joined from Karl Lagerfeld and took on the chief executive role, led Anya Hindmarch’s buyback and modernisation of its Japanese retail business whilst spearheading a plan for global expansion.
The Qatari fund Mayhoola For Investment, which owns Valentino and bought French luxury brand Balmain in June, pumped £24m into Anya Hindmarch to help finance the buyback of its Japanese arm, which accounts for 35pc of revenues. The Qataris already own 38pc of Anya Hindmarch.
Anya Hindmarch has 24 shops in Japan, including two standalone stores, and has recently been making headway in mainland China, to add to its existing two stores in Hong Kong.
(Source: Telegraph)