Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons

Emily Blumenthal
  • 5.0 (7)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What does it take to create an iconic handbag brand? Each week, Emily Blumenthal—author of Handbag Designer 101 and founder of The Handbag Awards—dives deep into the stories behind the handbags we love. From world-renowned designers and rising stars to industry executives shaping the retail landscape, Handbag Designer 101 brings you the inside scoop on the creativity, craftsmanship, and business savvy it takes to succeed in the handbag world. Whether you’re a designer, collector, entrepreneur, influencer, or simply passionate about handbags, this podcast is your front-row seat to the journeys of visionary creators, the origins of iconic brands, and the cultural impact of these timeless accessories. Discover valuable insights, expert advice, and the inspiration to fuel your love of handbags—or even launch your own brand. Tune in every Tuesday to "Handbag Designer 101" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, or watch full episodes on YouTube, and highlights on TikTok.

  1. 9H AGO

    🎙️ Carrying Craft and Clarity: How Adriana Castro Built a Lasting Brand | Emily Blumenthal & Adriana Castro

    What if the secret to growth isn’t chasing the next trend—but carrying a dream with enough grit to outlast them? In this episode, Adriana Castro shares how she turned Colombian craftsmanship and business discipline into a timeless accessories brand. Leaving a safe corporate path for design school, she transformed professors into mentors and built her first collection—and its production—from the ground up in Barranquilla. Adriana breaks down her hybrid strategy of pairing indigenous natural fibers with noble, long-lasting materials, and how stewardship programs like “certificates of adoption” can give accessories deeper meaning and legacy. The conversation gets real about pricing, margins, and the danger of designing aspirationally without scale. Adriana opens up about balancing passion projects with profitability, identifying her true customer through data, and letting hero products carry the brand. From Sarah Jessica Parker rewearing the Eva Clutch to navigating the mental health side of entrepreneurship, Adriana’s story is both grounded and inspiring—a reminder that longevity comes from clarity, consistency, and care. 💡 Key Takeaways: Design with Purpose: Pair heritage craftsmanship with modern functionality to create lasting relevance. Price with Precision: Know your costs, protect your margins, and let data—not ego—guide decisions. Sustain the Maker: Longevity in business starts with valuing the people and energy behind every piece. 👤 Our Guest: Adriana Castro is the founder and creative director of Adriana Castro, a Colombian luxury accessories brand celebrated for its craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and timeless design. Her work bridges artistry and entrepreneurship, honoring her heritage while redefining what it means to build a brand with purpose and endurance. Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenth Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    41 min

  2. NOV 4

    🎙️ From Soho to Sustainability: How Steven Alan Built—and Rebuilt—a Lasting Brand | Emily Blumenthal & Steven Alan

    What if the difference between a forgettable line and an enduring brand came down to a handful of details and a few brave decisions? In this episode, Steven Alan unpacks how a small Soho storefront became a global showroom, why discovery will always trump trade-show buying, and how clean distribution keeps both the magic and the margin intact. From recognizing Claire V’s voice in five self-sewn bags to cultivating independent designers who’d later define the modern accessories space, Steven shares how instinct, restraint, and precision build brands that last. He also gets candid about scaling too fast—expanding from eight to twenty-three stores, adding overhead, and learning the hard way that growth without discipline can crush profitability. Post-COVID, he pared everything back, rebuilt around his core menswear, and reopened with a Chelsea studio that blends craftsmanship, curation, and calm. His playbook now? Specialize deeply, collaborate selectively, and let great product—not PR—do the talking. 💡 Key Takeaways: Craft Creates Belief: Every zipper placement, stitch, and texture matters—they’re what earn a customer’s trust. Scale with Purpose: Growth without clarity or discipline erodes the foundation of your brand. Quiet is Power: Thoughtful distribution and organic word of mouth can build more enduring value than flashy marketing. 👤 Our Guest: Steven Alan is a designer, retailer, and curator known for redefining modern American style through his namesake brand and visionary showroom. With a career spanning three decades, he’s launched and nurtured some of fashion’s most recognizable independent labels while championing authenticity, craftsmanship, and understated design. Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    42 min

  3. OCT 28

    Quitting Marc Jacobs to Create an Iconic Brand: The Story of Joy Gryson | Emily Blumenthal & Joy Gryson

    What happens when you walk away from Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein—and bet on your own name instead? In this episode, Joy Gryson shares the bold pivot from corporate fashion to building a modern handbag brand that exploded in Korea and won a loyal global following. She reveals how consulting bridged the leap, why she and her husband chose small Italian workshops over legacy factories, and how a park meetup with Steven Alan unlocked their sales pipeline. From the “It Bag” craze to mastering retail math and international strategy, Joy offers the real roadmap for scaling without selling out. ✨ 3 Takeaways: Learn the math behind the magic — taste gets you noticed, but knowing costs, margins, and calendars keeps you in business. Localize to globalize — success in Korea wasn’t luck; it was built on tailoring silhouettes, service, and merchandising to the market. Bet on your own name, strategically — consulting, smart sourcing, and timing made her leap sustainable, not reckless. Our Guest: Joy Gryson is the founder and creative director of Gryson, Olivia Harris, and TriBeCa by Joy Gryson—brands known for their sophisticated balance of modern design and timeless craftsmanship. Before launching her own labels, she honed her skills at Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, and Coach, gaining a deep understanding of both design and business that would later define her entrepreneurial path. Her handbags have been carried by women around the world who appreciate understated luxury built with intention. Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.  🔖 Hashtags: #HandbagDesigner101 #JoyGryson #FashionBusiness #ItBagEra #Entrepreneurship #HandbagDesign #BrandBuilding #WomenInBusiness #IndependentDesigner #MarcJac Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    50 min

  4. OCT 21

    Clare V and The Art of Intentional Growth: Part 2 | Emily Blumenthal & Clare Vivier

    Ever wonder what it takes to turn a small retail dream into a lasting fashion empire? Clare V, founder of her namesake brand, proves that steady growth, not viral fame, builds a real legacy. Starting with a 500-square-foot shop in Silver Lake, Clare turned local roots into a thriving retail network by prioritizing people over transactions. From matching a friend’s salary to open her first boutique to hosting in-store events and community-driven experiences, she redefined what modern brick-and-mortar can be—authentic, intentional, and profitable. Her strategic discipline is what sets her apart. Clare walks us through how she uses e-commerce heat maps to pick new locations, tests markets through pop-ups before signing leases, and balances wholesale for both cash flow and discovery. She shares how retail exclusives protect brand integrity, how data informs design and merchandising, and why the shift from “Clare Vivier” to “Clare V” became a masterclass in rebranding with grace. 💡 Key Takeaways: Growth works best when it’s deliberate, data-driven, and community-minded.Protecting your name and pricing builds long-term trust.Wholesale and retail can thrive together when strategy leads the way.🎧 Listen now for a founder’s blueprint on sustainable success, creative resilience, and building a fashion brand that lasts. Our Guest: Clare V is the founder and designer behind Clare V, a California-based lifestyle brand known for its effortless French-meets-LA aesthetic, community-driven retail, and commitment to thoughtful growth. Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.  #ClareV #HandbagDesigner101 #SustainableGrowth #FemaleFounders #RetailStrategy #ModernLuxury #IntentionalDesign Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    38 min

  5. OCT 14

    Inside NY Now: Why Wholesale Still Matters for Independent Designers 👜🛍️| Emily Blumenthal & Matthew Mathiasen

    In an era dominated by DTC, what role do trade shows still play in building a fashion brand? In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, we sit down with Matthew Mathiasen, Show Director of NY Now, to unpack why wholesale isn’t just relevant—it’s essential for emerging accessory brands looking for long-term growth, especially now with The “It Bag x NY NOW” new program. With over 100 years of history, NY Now has evolved from a traditional gift show to a curated marketplace where boutiques and innovative designers connect. Matthew explains how specialty retailers are becoming brand champions, helping independent designers break into new regions, build community, and create consistent cash flow—with fewer strings than big-box retail. 💼 You’ll learn:  👜 Why boutiques offer better margins, faster payments, and stronger loyalty  🛒 How NY Now’s “The It Bag” section helps handbag designers showcase their hero products  📦 How to prep for a trade show like a pro—from booth setup to buyer pitches  🔁 The hybrid wholesale model: in-person connection + online ordering via Bulletin  📣 Why knowing your brand story and supply chain readiness is key to wholesale success Whether you're a first-time exhibitor or scaling up your sales channels, this episode offers the clarity and tactical advice you need to navigate today’s wholesale landscape. 🎧 Listen now and discover how to grow your brand through smarter retail relationships, and apply to be part of “The IT Bag x NY NOW.” Our Guest: Matthew Mathiasson is the Show Director of NY Now, America’s longest-running gift and lifestyle trade show. With decades of experience in the wholesale space, he champions independent designers and works to create meaningful connections between brands and retail buyers both in-person and online. Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    42 min

  6. OCT 7

    Inside the Handbag Machine: How Cathy Schwartz-Shino Defines Real Brand Power | Emily Blumenthal & Cathy Schwartz-Shino

    Ever wonder why some handbags turn heads while others disappear into the crowd? Cathy Schwartz-Shino—veteran of major handbag licenses and founder of Edit Accordingly—pulls back the curtain on what truly makes a brand unforgettable: a strong identity, the right partnerships, and attention to detail. Today’s shopper doesn’t wait for department stores to declare what’s in; they chase meaning and individuality. Whether it’s vintage, upcycled, or a fresh new silhouette, Cathy explains how licensing, royalties, and cohesive design DNA separate authentic brands from imitators. Her message is clear: success isn’t about copying luxury—it’s about owning your signature. Key Takeaways: Authenticity Wins: True success comes from defining your own brand DNA, not replicating others. Strategic Growth: Regional strategy and selective partnerships fuel sustainable expansion. Creative Focus: Mood boards, collaboration, and local curation keep collections relevant and distinct. 🎧 Tune in for a masterclass on building longevity and luxury in an ever-changing accessories market. Our Guest:  Cathy Schwartz-Shino is the founder of Edit Accordingly, a consultancy that helps brands refine their creative and business strategies across the accessories space. With decades of experience leading handbag licenses for global brands, Cathy bridges design and commerce—helping companies craft products that resonate deeply with modern consumers. Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.  Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    39 min

  7. SEP 30

    From Boutique Dreams to QVC Star: Dawn Del Russo’s Reinvention Story | Emily Blumenthal & Dawn Del Russo

    For Dawn Del Russo, building a career in fashion has been a journey of resilience, adaptation, and staying true to herself. With just $10,000 in savings—partly from communion money she’d carefully saved—she launched Bella Dawn boutique without formal training, diving into trade shows and pricing with sheer determination and countless hours of research. A surprise feature on Fox Good Day New York brought her first big sales surge, along with a crash course in scaling without infrastructure. When broadcast opportunities began competing with her retail business, Dawn made the tough decision to close her beloved boutique—a move that ultimately led to her thriving career as a QVC personality, representing brands like Marc Fisher and Rebecca Minkoff. Through it all, she’s stayed committed to authenticity, embracing her strengths, turning down misaligned opportunities, and building her Live the Glamour brand as a platform rooted in genuine passion for fashion and business. 💡 Key Takeaways: Success often comes through pivots—knowing when to let go of one dream to embrace another.Media moments can transform a business overnight, but preparation matters.Authenticity isn’t just a value—it’s a growth strategy.🎧 Listen now for lessons in resilience, brand evolution, and building a career grounded in authenticity. Our Guest:  Dawn Del Russo is the founder of Live the Glamour and a QVC personality who has represented leading brands while building her own platform. From boutique owner to media personality, she’s navigated every stage of entrepreneurship with adaptability, authenticity, and style. Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.  Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    36 min

  8. SEP 23

    Building Handbag Joy: How Peter Gryson Turned Vision Into a Global Label | Emily Blumenthal & Peter Gryson

    Ever wonder how a personal story becomes a global brand? Peter Gryson, co-founder of Joy Gryson, shares his journey from corporate fashion to building a handbag label that stands out in a crowded market. From retail floors to a VP role at Calvin Klein, his path reveals how determination, adaptability, and vision can turn obstacles into opportunity. "I wanted to be successful, and that became my objective." That drive fueled Peter’s rise—and later, the creation of Joy Gryson with his wife, Joy. Together, they built a brand rooted in design passion, sharp market awareness, and an ability to evolve with consumer demand. Key Takeaways: Resilience Wins: Fashion is full of setbacks, but perseverance and adaptability open new doors. Power of Partnership: Collaboration with designers and manufacturers is the backbone of quality and innovation. Market Awareness Matters: Tuning into consumer shifts is essential to staying relevant worldwide. 🎧 Tune in now for insights on building a brand that balances creativity, strategy, and global growth. Our Guest:  Peter Gryson is co-founder of Joy Gryson, a handbag brand with strong traction in Asia and beyond. With decades of experience in trend forecasting, brand development, and fashion leadership, he brings a unique perspective on how creativity and business acumen can drive long-term success. Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.  Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    54 min
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About

What does it take to create an iconic handbag brand? Each week, Emily Blumenthal—author of Handbag Designer 101 and founder of The Handbag Awards—dives deep into the stories behind the handbags we love. From world-renowned designers and rising stars to industry executives shaping the retail landscape, Handbag Designer 101 brings you the inside scoop on the creativity, craftsmanship, and business savvy it takes to succeed in the handbag world. Whether you’re a designer, collector, entrepreneur, influencer, or simply passionate about handbags, this podcast is your front-row seat to the journeys of visionary creators, the origins of iconic brands, and the cultural impact of these timeless accessories. Discover valuable insights, expert advice, and the inspiration to fuel your love of handbags—or even launch your own brand. Tune in every Tuesday to "Handbag Designer 101" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, or watch full episodes on YouTube, and highlights on TikTok.

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