Anna Murphy, fashion director of The Times

A long standing supporter of our brand, Anna Murphy has been the Fashion Director of the Times for over 7 years now, and knows a thing or two about what to wear! Previously the editor of Stella at The Sunday Telegraph, she's interviewed the industry's biggest names and worn just about anything you could imagine...

Her recent book, How Not To Wear Black, is the ultimate guide to finding your personal style, and creating your 'forever wardrobe'. An expert on ageing gracefully and looking (and feeling) better at 60 than you did at 30, she's a fountain of knowledge and we can't wait to pick her brains for words of wisdom. 

We were delighted when she took some time out of her incredibly busy schedule to write a piece on why she loves the concept and design of our handbags. She even joined us as our guest of honour during our VIP zoom event to answer all our style related questions. VIP's can watch the full recording via the clubroom now, or if you're not a VIP, you can easily become one here. 

But for now, take a read at what a true high flying fashionista really thinks of our bags.. 

The world is full of so-called ‘it’ bags. And as Fashion Director of The Times I have been lucky enough to test drive many of them. Which is why I am no longer surprised when I come across yet another supposed ‘it’ bag that I deem to be more of an ‘iffy’ bag.

An ‘iffy’ bag doesn’t even deliver on the basics, despite often coming with a hefty price tag. That’s one of the reasons I rate Sarah Haran. Functionality is at the core of what the brand does. For me a true ‘it’ bag delivers a double whammy of form and function. Sure, it needs to look special, because that is what will lift your mood and your outfit. Yet it also needs to work hard for you, because that is what will make your life better in other ways.

I love bright colours and animal prints – the joie de vivre they bring to your world every single day. Yet mode de vivre is just as important to me, and Sarah Haran’s bags have been designed to help women live efficiently as well as joyfully. Happiness for me is some scarlet arm candy, or fuchsia, or animal print – or even, by way of the clever Sarah Haran modular system – all three at once! Worried that if you pick a stand-out shade it won’t go with everything?

In my experience the flexibility comes precisely because it doesn’t blend in. To shake off once and for all those outmoded notions of what goes with what will bring you so much pleasure getting dressed in the morning. Besides, there is nothing more contemporary looking – not to mention more youthfulness-endowing – than a bit of clash-matching.

The other key consideration when it comes to choosing a bag is size. Speaking personally – and a bag is one of the personal sartorial decisions you can ever make – I have found myself increasingly drawn to neater styles. That’s what looks the most streamlined, and thus feels the most modern to me. The Marie camera bag is one of the best examples around, and it’s known as the ‘Tardis’ for a reason.

That said, I know I am not the only one who needs different sizes on different days, and Sarah Haran’s stroke of genius – not an accolade I bandy about often in fashion land – is to produce a range of bags that can be adapted. 

Shop Anna's go to bag, the Marie, here.