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

Emily Blumenthal
  • 4.6 (8)
  • 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. 5D AGO

    Why Consistency Beats Virality in Today’s Creator Economy | Emily Blumenthal & Brittany Hennessy

    What if your content didn’t have to perform—just work? In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Hennessy to unpack how social media shifted from a scrapbook to a search engine, and what that means for founders building visibility without burning out. We break down why clarity now beats consistency, how “real work” content outperforms polish, and why the smartest creators treat their feeds like living systems—not highlight reels. Brittany shares how to build momentum with limited time, what actually converts attention into trust, and how to use AI as a tool without losing your voice. 3 Takeaways:  • Visibility beats virality — Consistent, clear signals outperform one-off hits.  • Systems scale creativity — Batch once, reuse smartly, and let process replace pressure.  • Boundaries build trust — Showing less, but with intention, creates stronger connection. Our Guest:  Brittany Hennessy is a social strategist and creator known for helping founders turn everyday moments into high-impact content. With a background in digital media and brand storytelling, she helps entrepreneurs build sustainable visibility—without chasing trends or burning out. 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

    38 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    Story Over Specs: Wale Sanni on Founder-Led Luxury and Hero Bags | Emily Blumenthal & Wale Sanni

    What if the material doesn’t matter as much as the meaning? We go deep on the power of story to outsell specs, exploring why a polarizing point of view can create die-hard loyalty and how luxury falters the moment it tries to scale. With Wale Sanni—millennial product specialist with a razor-sharp lens—we break down founder-led allure, pricing psychology, and the difference between a bag that looks good and a brand that lives rent-free in your head. We pull apart The Row as a live case study in anti-scale strategy, then map how Gen Z gravitates to human-led labels where the founder’s life becomes the product roadmap. Balenciaga’s City bag emerges as the blueprint for hero silhouettes that keep a house coherent across seasons. From there, we challenge assumptions about materials, pointing out why PU can top leather when the narrative resonates and how “if you’re not hateable, you’re not lovable” explains the magnetism of brands with real edges. The conversation moves through quiet luxury, retail anthropology, and the function-versus-fantasy tightrope: novelty bags that dominate headlines but strain margins, top handles that work only when engineered for real life, and the subtle rise of coded status—insider emblems over loud logos. We spotlight Coach’s thoughtful reset, discuss indie makers trapped by underpricing, and unpack why price often scripts satisfaction before the box is opened. Along the way, we tackle resale dynamics, community-building, and what it takes to protect brand DNA while still giving culture something to talk about. If you’re a designer, collector, or just bag-obsessed, expect sharp takes you can use: how to price with confidence, how to build a hero and iterate without dilution, and how to turn a founder’s story into a durable moat. Listen, share with a friend who argues about logos, and leave a quick review so more bag nerds can find us. 👤 Our Guest:  Wale Sanni is a product specialist focused on luxury accessories, studying the intersection of founder-led design, pricing psychology, and consumer behavior. He advises emerging and established brands on building cohesive collections, hero products, and brand stories that resonate across generations. Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    39 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    Purpose in Every Stitch: Mercado Global’s Ethical Accessories | Emily Blumenthal & Fabiola Bercasa Beckman and Ruth Álvarez-DeGolia

    Heritage craft scales on design and strategy, not good intentions. Ruth Álvarez-DeGolia, founder of Mercado Global, and Emmy-winning filmmaker Fabiola Bercasa Beckman share how Guatemalan handwoven textiles become modern handbags that compete at Free People and Holt Renfrew. From labor hours to in-country design, they show how simplifying silhouettes increases artisan wages and perceived value, while embedding impact into the product—not a hangtag. This is a blueprint for ethical, beautiful accessories that customers want and that provide real income for the women who make them. ✨ 3 Takeaways • Ethical fashion must compete on design and price — Impact only works if the product stands on its own at retail.  • Simpler designs can pay artisans more — Fewer cuts and smarter layouts often increase hourly wages and margins.  • Impact should be built into the product — Visible craftsmanship beats vague claims and one-for-one models every time. 👤 Our Guests Ruth Álvarez-DeGolia is the founder of Mercado Global, a fair-trade accessories brand partnering with women artisans across Latin America to produce responsibly made handbags for global retail. Fabiola Bercasa Beckman is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and creative collaborator whose work focuses on design, storytelling, and ethical systems that respect craft without compromising modern appeal. 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

    33 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    How Salt Athletic Became the Cleat Bag Athletes Want (and Parents Trust) | Emily Blumenthal & Rafael de la Vega

    A single on-field embarrassment became the spark for Salt Athletic—Rafael de la Vega’s patented cleat bag designed for the athlete who uses it and the parent who buys it. In this episode, Rafael shares how early missteps with PR, broad targeting, and hype burned cash, and how a hard pivot—economics first, accelerator support, and factory access in Mexico and India—turned the company around. A near-dead runway led to a bold performance-ad strategy that paid for itself, and a key insight reshaped everything: the user is the player, but the buyer is the parent. Rafael breaks down how Salt built a real brand system—from a clean, universal name to signature design cues like integrated handles and magnetic closures—and why D2C traction, league partnerships, and Nike shoebox activations beat vanity press. We dig into the realities of specialty retail vs. big-box marketplaces, drop-ship margins, and protecting price integrity while expanding into adjacent sports. 👤 Our Guest:  Rafael de la Vega is the founder and CEO of Salt Athletic, the patented cleat-bag brand redefining how athletes carry their gear. With a focus on design language, manufacturing partnerships, and clear economics, he has turned a niche frustration into a fast-growing sports-accessory category. ✨ 3 Takeaways:  • Solve for the user, sell to the buyer — Athletes want performance and style; parents want hygiene and durability.  • Math beats hype — Unit economics, targeting, and calibrated ads drive growth, not PR.  • Think in systems, not SKUs — Patents, naming, design cues, and channel strategy build lasting brands. 🔖 Hashtags:  #HandbagDesigner101 #SaltAthletic #SportsInnovation #ConsumerGoods #BrandBuilding #PatentedDesign #D2CStrategy #AthleteGear #FoundersJourney #ProductMarketFit #SportsAccessories #Entrepreneurship #FashionPodcast 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 Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    33 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    What It Really Takes to Launch a Handbag Brand 💼👜| Emily Blumenthal & Nancy Forman

    Think launching a handbag brand is as easy as designing a pretty product? Think again. In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, we’re joined by industry expert Nancy Forman, whose decades of experience—from Bloomingdale’s to Accessory Think Tank—have made her a trusted voice in fashion strategy, manufacturing, and merchandising. Nancy doesn’t sugarcoat it. Today’s market demands much more than a great idea—it requires a plan, a factory, and a deep understanding of your customer before you even produce your first bag. From hidden development costs to managing trade show expectations, her insights are a must-hear for any serious designer. 💡 Key Takeaways  👜 Beyond the Sketch: Why product development starts long before design—and how skipping steps can sink your brand. 🌍 Small Runs, Big Potential: How Nancy’s Romanian factory allows brands to produce as few as 3–6 bags per style. ♻️ Smart Sustainability: Why leather vs. non-leather isn’t so black and white—and how to think critically about eco claims. Whether you’re launching your first line or refining your supply chain, this conversation will shift your mindset and sharpen your strategy. 🎧 Listen now. Our Guest: Nancy Forman is a veteran merchant, fashion consultant, and founder of Accessory Think Tank. She helps emerging brands build smart, scalable businesses through hands-on product development, manufacturing expertise, and retail insight. 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

    38 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Scaling Smarter with Nicole Levy from Baikal Handbag Manufacturing | Emily Blumenthal & Nicole Levy

    Ever wonder why some emerging handbag brands thrive while others stall before launch? In this episode, Nicole Levy of Baikal Handbag Manufacturing breaks down the real operations behind successful accessories brands—from timelines and tariffs to minimums, materials, and distribution strategy. Nicole explains why your first collection should be three or four tightly connected styles (not 15), how a repeatable signature builds brand recognition faster than trends, and why military olive is this season’s sleeper hit. She walks through the production ladder that actually works—sample domestically, run 10-piece U.S. test batches, then move core colors to ~150-unit overseas minimums—and how pricing files reveal whether wholesale is financially viable before you burn cash. We also get into boutiques versus department stores, what materials truly perform, and how 3D modeling elevates hardware without crushing your budget. ✨ 3 Takeaways: • Start focused, scale intentionally — A small, cohesive collection and a clear signature outperform sprawling assortments every time.  • Know your numbers before you produce — Pricing files, MOQs, freight timelines, and margins determine viability long before retail does.  • Choose distribution that builds loyalty — Boutiques drive discovery and repeat D2C sales in ways department stores rarely can. 👤 Our Guest:  Nicole Levy is the founder of Baikal Handbag Manufacturing, a full-service development and production partner for emerging and established brands. With deep expertise in domestic small-batch manufacturing, overseas production, materials, hardware, and costing, she helps designers build collections that are both beautiful and financially sound. Her work has supported projects ranging from Western luxury to government-funded initiatives using innovative leathers. 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. Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    41 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Dr. Jessica Quillin & The Power of Cohesive Luxury Brand Storytelling | Emily Blumenthal & Dr. Jessica Quillin

    What if the real engine of modern luxury isn’t loud marketing—but meaning delivered consistently across every touchpoint? In this episode, Dr. Jessica Quillin, fashion strategist and PhD in 19th-century poetry, breaks down how elevated storytelling creates brands that feel unified on the site, in the feed, and in the store. She shares her journey from studying the philosophy of beauty to advising global fashion houses, revealing how emotions become experiences—and how experiences become communities that buy, return, and advocate. Jessica takes us through the post-pandemic clutter of beautiful but disjointed brand moments: e-commerce that doesn’t guide, social feeds that don’t match the retail floor, and campaigns disconnected from values. Her antidote is both strategic and doable—codify your identity, then run small, disciplined pilots. Launch a three-post content series, read the data, refine, and repeat. From nostalgia-powered Gen Z engagement to experiential moments that spark belonging, Jessica shows how consistency across platforms is now one of the strongest moats in fashion and accessories. 💡 Key Takeaways: Meaning Scales Faster Than Noise: Codified identity + emotional storytelling = real brand equity.Pilot, Don’t Spray: Small experiments on single channels will sharpen your narrative—and your ROI.Narrative Systems Win: Reusable “story bricks” keep your website, social, and in-store aligned and unmistakably you.👤 Our Guest: Dr. Jessica Quillin is a fashion strategist, brand storyteller, and co-founder of Quillin Consulting. With a PhD in 19th-century poetry, she bridges deep cultural insight with modern marketing strategy, helping luxury and fashion brands build cohesive, emotionally resonant identities across every platform. 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. Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    38 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    🎙️ 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. Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    41 min
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4.6
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8 Ratings

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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