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. 1D AGO

    The Birkin Playbook: Inside Handbags as an Asset Class | Emily Blumenthal & Dana Auslander

    What happens when a Birkin is treated as an asset instead of a trophy? In this episode, Dana Auslander, founder of Luxus, breaks down how she built a private investment fund around Hermès quota bags—where discipline, data, and liquidity drive returns, not hype. Drawing on her background in law and finance, Dana explains why diversification can outperform a single headline purchase, how institutional-grade sourcing and third-party authentication make handbags investable, and why exit strategy matters more than chasing rare exotics. She also challenges viral myths about Birkin appreciation, shares what actually sells (size and neutral colorways), and makes the case for why Hermès is the only handbag brand that meets an investment standard. Key Takeaways: • Discipline over hype — Data, diversification, and timing matter more than rarity.  • Liquidity creates returns — Exit channels define success more than acquisition.  • Hermès is singular — Quota bags are uniquely positioned as investment-grade assets. 🎧 Listen now for a clear-eyed look at luxury handbags as a serious alternative asset class. Our Guest:  Dana Auslander is the founder of Luxus, a private asset fund focused on Hermès quota bags. With a background in law and finance, she built Luxus to bring structure, transparency, and rigor to handbag investing—treating iconic luxury not as fashion, but as a portfolio strategy. 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

    29 min

  2. JAN 6

    From Clutches to Community: Boutiques are Back | Emily Blumenthal & Nancy Forman

    Wholesale isn’t dead—it’s just evolving. In this episode, we unpack what’s actually working in handbags right now with Nancy Forman of Accessory Think Tank, from how specialty boutiques, focused DTC, and selective dropship can coexist, to the design details that truly move product. We dig into handles and straps that define comfort and versatility, intentional embellishment and personalization, smart material choices, and a disciplined approach to color. On the business side, we clarify when dropship helps (and when it hurts), why hometown boutiques still drive discovery and cash flow, and how to protect pricing while avoiding SKU bloat. If you want to design bags people reach for daily—and build a channel mix that scales without burning cash—this episode delivers a clear, usable blueprint. ✨ 3 Takeaways:  • Wholesale still works—when paired with disciplined DTC and selective dropship  • Design lives in the details: handles, straps, and personalization drive usability and desire  • Test before you scale—materials, colors, and SKUs should earn their expansion If this sharpened your strategy, follow the show, leave a quick review, and share it with a designer who’s navigating channel mix decisions right now. 👤 Our Guest:  Nancy Foreman is the founder of Accessory Think Tank, a strategic consultancy focused on trend forecasting, product development, and go-to-market strategy for accessory brands. With decades of experience advising designers and retailers, she helps brands align creativity with commercial reality. 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

    30 min

  3. 12/30/2025

    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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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4.6
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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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