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. 4 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    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 phút

  2. 2 THG 12

    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 phút

  3. 25 THG 11

    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. Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a s Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    41 phút

  4. 18 THG 11

    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. 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

    38 phút

  5. 11 THG 11

    🎙️ 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 phút

  6. 4 THG 11

    🎙️ 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 emilyblumenthal.com.  🔖 Hashtags: Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

    42 phút

  7. 28 THG 10

    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 phút

  8. 21 THG 10

    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 phút
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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.

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