Anya Hindmarch On The Bags That Launched Themselves

Anya Hindmarch delighted her male fans when she announced her dedicated menswear category last week - a business development that was brought about by the power of the people, according to the designer.

"Men started wearing our product so the menswear line really launched itself," she told us. "They have been coming in and buying pieces that were part of our women's collection for some time, as well as ordering pieces from our bespoke shop and putting stickers on their bags and phones, so we thought we might as well do it in a more organised way."

The collection - which launches today - comprises 10 bag styles, iPad and iPhone cases, wallet holders, travel tags, pouches and shoes, and bears all the hallmarks of the brand's signature good humour. The Men At Work style, recently seen on the big screen in Absolutely Fabulous, is sure to be a favourite in briefcase form.

The menswear collection will also enjoy a London Fashion Week outing in September, revealed the designer, who is planning to launch the collection first in her London, New York, LA and Japan flagships, before branching out with "key partners in Asia where we have some fun pop ups planned".

Hindmarch follows in the footsteps of fellow London-based designer Stella McCartney, who announced last month that she will be launching her menswear category in November.