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

Emily Blumenthal
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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. -10 H

    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 Don 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 choice to close her beloved boutique—a decision that led to her thriving career as a QVC personality representing brands like Mark 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

  2. 23 SEPT.

    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

  3. 16 SEPT.

    From Macy’s to QVC: Karen Giberson’s Accessories’ Journey | Emily Blumenthal & Karen Giberson

    Ever wonder why it’s so hard to break into the accessories world? Karen Giberson, President of the Accessories Council, pulls back the curtain on an industry made up of specialized silos that rarely connect. From Macy’s competitive executive training program to navigating the stigma of QVC, her path shaped a mission to create meaningful connections across accessory categories. "I’d rather put my product in the trash than sell it to you." That early rejection in television retail revealed the uphill battle Karen faced—but also pushed her toward building the Council, where for over two decades she’s been breaking down barriers, championing collaboration, and proving that networking is non-negotiable. Key Takeaways: Fragmented Industry: Accessories thrive in silos—footwear sizing, eyewear regulations, jewelry sourcing—but collaboration sparks breakthroughs. Networking Is Power: With 100+ opportunities annually, Karen believes success depends on showing up, asking for help, and making connections. Cross-Pollination Wins: Innovation often comes when designers look beyond their lane—like handbags borrowing from jewelry hardware or even automotive design. 🎧 Listen now for insider lessons on breaking into—and thriving in—the world of accessories. Our Guest:  Karen Giberson is President of the Accessories Council, a non-profit trade organization supporting designers and brands across categories from handbags to eyewear. With decades of experience spanning retail, TV, and advocacy, she’s dedicated to uniting a fragmented industry and creating opportunities for designers to connect, grow, and succeed. 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. 9 SEPT.

    Julie Deane CBE: The Post-It on the Factory Wall to the Sale of The Cambridge Satchel Company Part 2 | Emily Blumenthal & Julie Deane

    As we continue the journey of what it takes to build a luxury handbag brand from scratch the harsh realities of the industry, we pick up where we left off with Julie Deane, and her difficult choice to sell her company. This is precisely the thrilling journey Julie Deane, founder of the Cambridge Statue Company, unravels with us. We take a deep dive into the complex world of the handbag business, learning about the trials of selling, the betrayal of manufacturers, and the courage it took for Julie to take control and become her own manufacturer. This story of resilience and innovation shines a spotlight on the unexpected opportunity that a Google Chrome advert presented, reflecting the success of the company's adept use of technology.  Does the thought of navigating various challenges such as Brexit, the pandemic, and the quest for the right investors sound daunting? Julie shares how she faced these hurdles head-on while establishing a luxury handbag brand. She also opens up about her ultimate decision to sell her company to a French group that values British manufacturing, ensuring job security for her employees. In our closing chapter, we engage in a heartfelt talk about the highs and lows of being a handbag designer. Julie shares some invaluable advice for anyone considering this career path and emphasizes the unique and exciting experiences it brings. These captivating insights are a must-listen for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes reality of the handbag industry. Don't miss out, and remember to leave us a rating and review! Follow Julie: https://www.instagram.com/julie_deane/ Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    27 min

  5. 2 SEPT.

    Julie Deane’s Tale from Kitchen Table to British Handbag Empire: The Creation of The Cambridge Satchel Company Part 1 | Emily Blumenthal & Julie Deane

    “Have you ever wondered what it takes to create and scale a handbag brand? Quickly? Well, prepare to find out in this fascinating chat with our guest Julie Deane, the brains behind the Cambridge Satchel Company. Julie shares her journey from a humble start, fueled by her mother's support, to making a mark in the world of handbags, focusing on the satchel's practical appeal. Join us to explore her intriguing life, living between Cambridge and the West Coast of Wales, where her garden's quince tree has become a community hub. The conversation takes a twist as Julie offers insights into the business side of her handbag journey. She opens up about identifying a gap in the market for school satchels and how her mother’s early endorsement of her work-from-home lifestyle paved the way. Listen in as she recounts fascinating tales of convincing a skeptical manufacturer to produce her satchels, and the subsequent rush to find additional manufacturers to meet the demand for her bags. In the final part of our chat with Julie, we delve into the complexities of scaling a handbag brand. She shares stories of her challenges, ranging from photographing bags for her website to dealing with knockoffs of her designs. Tune in to hear about her ingenious solution for showing the size of her bags using a banana for comparison and the defining moment when the New York Times labeled her bags a 'street style bag'. Julie's story is a testament to the power of determination and entrepreneurship, providing a wealth of inspiration for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs.” This is only Part 1. Stay tuned for the second half of Julie’s journey of what happens next. Connect with Julie Deane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cambridgesatchel/  Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    1 h 4 min

  6. 26 AOÛT

    From Courtroom to Catwalk: Jimena Suarez’s Vegan Handbag Revolution | Emily Blumenthal & Jimena Suarez

    What happens when an environmental lawyer trades the courtroom for the world of fashion? For Jimena Suarez, founder of From Sentient, it means creating vegan handbags that blend Mexican craftsmanship, innovative materials, and ethical values—without sacrificing style. Sixteen years after going vegan, she saw a gap in the market for beautiful, high-quality accessories that align with her values. Her path took her from advocating for gender equality and animal rights to studying social entrepreneurship at Berkeley, where From Sentient took root. Today, her brand redefines sustainable luxury through thoughtful design and artisan collaboration. Key Takeaways: Desirability Drives Success: Purpose alone isn’t enough—people must want the product. Innovation Takes Time: Like the iPhone, great design evolves through research, iteration, and patience. Craft + Ethics: Partnering with skilled artisans transforms vegan materials into luxurious, culturally rich handbags. 🎧 Listen now for a story of innovation, ethics, and style converging in fashion’s future. Our Guest:  Jimena Suarez is the founder of From Sentient, a Mexican-based vegan handbag brand merging ethics with aesthetics. Formerly an environmental lawyer, she collaborates with artisans trained in traditional leather craftsmanship to create elegant, innovative vegan bags like the flagship Raíz (“roots”) collection. #WomenInBusiness #FashionInnovation #VeganHandbags #SocialEntrepreneurship #HandbagDesigner101 #MaterialInnovation #LuxuryAccessories 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

    32 min

  7. 19 AOÛT

    How Sujin Osatarayakul Builds Bags Like Buildings | Emily Blumenthal & Kazumi Takahashi & Sujin Osatarayakul

    For Sujin, handbags aren’t sewn—they’re constructed. Trained as an architect, she approaches her brand, Elemood, with the same principles she’d apply to a building: structural integrity, simplicity, and form as function. With no fashion or sewing background, she pioneered designs like the Mono bag—crafted from a single piece of material—and the Expert, made from one repeated pattern, creating sculptural pieces unlike anything in the market. After a decade of success, Sujin nearly walked away from her business—until an Italian brand strategist and Japanese designer Kasumi reignited her vision. Now, their partnership blends Japanese minimalism, Thai craftsmanship, and architectural precision into award-winning designs like the Blossom Series, while navigating a shift from traditional exports to U.S. wholesale. 💡 Key Takeaways: An outsider’s perspective can be a creative advantage. Structural thinking leads to distinctive, lasting designs. Collaboration works best when partners fill each other’s gaps. Revitalizing a brand sometimes means rethinking the business model. 🎧 Listen for a story of reinvention, partnership, and pushing the boundaries of handbag design. Our Guest: Sujin Osatarayakul is the founder and creative mind behind Elemood, an award-winning brand merging architectural construction with functional accessories. Her work, with her partner Kazumi Takahashi challenges traditional handbag-making by treating each design as a building—crafted for beauty, utility, and longevity. #Elemood #ArchitecturalDesign #HandbagDesigner101 #WomenInBusiness #DesignInnovation #FunctionalArt #CreativePartnership #LuxuryAccessories 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

    26 min

  8. 12 AOÛT

    How Odoba Turned Heritage Into a Handbag Brand | Emily Blumenthal & Odoba Nnani

    For Odoba Nnani, building her brand became a masterclass in trusting instincts and weaving cultural heritage into every creation. Born in Nigeria and moving to the U.S. at eight through the visa lottery, she balanced family expectations with a growing creative drive. When the pandemic hit, she traded law school dreams for crafting accessories that blend beauty, function, and heritage. Her design philosophy? A great bag works anywhere—sweatpants to store runs, dressed up for church, or taken to a club. Versatility, paired with leather linings, magnetic closures, and thoughtful craftsmanship, transforms each piece into functional art. By working with The Accessory Think Tank, she skipped costly mistakes and launched Romanian-made handbags that fuse global influences with Nigerian roots—designed for real life, across all settings. 💡 Key Takeaways: Career pivots can unlock your truest calling. Versatility is a branding superpower. Small details create lasting luxury. Expert mentorship saves years of trial and error. 🎧 Listen for a story of risk-taking, reinvention, and cultural pride in design. Our Guest: Odoba Nnani is the founder of her namesake brand, crafting luxury handbags that merge Nigerian heritage with modern functionality. #AdobaTheBrand #HandbagDesigner101 #LuxuryDesign #WomenInBusiness #CulturalHeritageInFashion #VersatileDesign #EntrepreneurJourney #FunctionalLuxury 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

    34 min
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À propos

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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