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

Get ready to meet Stephanie Sarka, the brain behind 1 Atelier, who took a remarkable journey from the high-stakes world of Goldman Sachs to revolutionizing the luxury handbag industry! Stephanie opens up about her transformative experiences in mergers and acquisitions, her educational journey through Stanford and Harvard, and her invaluable time at Coach under the mentorship of Lou Frankfurt. Hear...

Ever wondered how a political science graduate could revolutionize the world of handbag design? In this episode, Sarah Wells shares her extraordinary journey from working in nonprofit leadership to building a thriving handbag brand to support working mothers. Sarah opens up about the imposter syndrome she battled and how Emily Blumenthal's influential book became a game-changer for her career...

Can the fashion world keep up with the rapidly changing landscape of technology? Join us as we engage with Clare Tattersall, the pioneering force behind the first Digital Fashion Week. Clare shares her captivating journey from the 2020 event launch to its phenomenal growth across fashion capitals like New York, London, Paris, and Milan. Her story is one of resilience and innovation, navigating the...

Ever wondered what it takes to authenticate a luxury handbag? Join us as we sit down with Dani Smith, the Senior Authentication Specialist at What Goes Around Comes Around, who pulls back the curtain on the world of vintage luxury goods. Dani shares her fascinating experiences with iconic brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, including an unforgettable Karl Lagerfeld retrospective. We expl...

Prepare to be inspired as we explore the incredible journey of Tamara Rappa, founder of Story & Rain. Tamara's path to success is remarkable, from her academic pursuits at Parsons School of Design to securing coveted internships at Interview Magazine and Marie Claire. You'll hear about her early career challenges and triumphs in the fashion department at Interview Magazine, where she...

Unlock the secrets of the ever-evolving handbag industry with Koyaana Redstar, a virtuoso of the RealReal, as she joins me, Emily Blumenthal, your handbag fairy godmother. We shed light on the magnetic allure of brands like Rebecca Minkoff, whose designs have danced through time to remain in the limelight of the pre-loved luxury market. Hear my genesis tale from a humble handbag lover to a maestro...

What drives a small-town girl from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to become a successful handbag designer in New York City? In this special episode of the Handbag Designer 101 podcast, we sit down with Jessy Dover from Dagne Dover. Jessy opens up about her early passion for creativity, sharing the heartwarming story of how she crafted her own hot pink satin prom dress using fabric from Walmart. Her...

Ever wondered how a designer strikes the perfect balance between creativity and practicality in the world of fashion accessories? Join us for an exclusive conversation with Amanda Cross, the visionary talent behind and Director of Product Design of the Stephanie Johnson brand at Ricardo Beverly Hills, as we crack the code on keeping a brand's essence alive post-acquisition. Amanda dives into...

Embark on a voyage through the fashion industry's transformative years with Mary Gehllhar, a beacon of sustainability and authorship in the world of handbag design. We reminisce about a time when designers were sculpted by the hands of GenArt and not just the glow of social media screens. In Mary's tale of a Midwest dreamer, Revel turned Bloomingdale's merchandising guru in New York...

Unlock the mysteries of building a standout personal brand and thriving in the entrepreneurial landscape as we sit down with social media maven Steph Cartin from Entreprenista. Our enlightening heart-to-heart takes you on a journey from the early Facebook days, when it was a college elite's playground, to the present, where strategic branding is king. Steph divulges her evolution from hotel s...

Discover the untold journey of indie fashion's most ardent supporter, Nicole Giordano, as she unveils the intricacies of nurturing startup designers toward success. Every aspiring fashion entrepreneur knows the landscape is rugged, but with Nicole's insights from STARTUp Fashion, you'll get the roadmap to navigate the industry's peaks and valleys. We cover everything from the p...

Prepare to be enchanted by the story of a marketing student turned luxury handbag magnate as we sit down with Bobby Williams, the visionary president of Ghurka handbags. His tale is woven with threads of serendipity and hard-won insights, leading you through the tapestry of the fashion industry's high-stakes world. From navigating the voyage of prestigious luggage brand Hartman through its ac...

Get ready to unlock the secret strategies reshaping the handbag industry with our special guest, Jill Manoff, the esteemed Editor-in-Chief of Glossy. This episode peels back the curtain on the swiftly growing trend of men's handbags, spurred by cultural influencer Jacob Elordi. We're taking a magnifying glass to the luxury brand runways where these stylish accessories are becoming a main...

Embark on an incredible mother-daughter journey with Betty Martinez and Paulina Anchia, the heart and soul of Beamina, as they stitch together a story as vibrant as their handbag collection. This episode threads the needle between a family's love and the cutthroat world of fashion entrepreneurship, from Paulina's childhood sewing machine to the glittering storefronts that now house their...

Prepare to have your mind blown as we sit down with the legendary Richard Kestenbaum of Triangle Capital LLC to unravel the complex world of mergers and acquisitions. As we navigate through the depths of human psychology pivotal in deal-making, you will gain unprecedented insights into the ballet of numbers and narratives shaping the fate of consumer retail and merchandising companies. Richard&apo...

Embark on a linguistic and commercial adventure as I, Emily Blumenthal, sit down with Ryan McInturf, the insightful attaché to the Quebec government. We navigate the nuances of Quebec's French language and its impact on the handbag industry, shedding light on the opportunities that await emerging designers in Canadian retail. Discover the strategic advantage of charming power players like Ess...

Embark on an enthralling journey through the fashion industry with the remarkable Sage Aubrey, whose rise to acclaim was cemented with her distinction in the 2019 Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design competition. Sage's candid recount of her path from concept to creation offers invaluable lessons on the complexities of handbag design, highlighting the significance of pricing strategies an...

From Wall Street wizard to handbag heroine, Melissa Gonzalez, the mastermind behind The Lionesque Group, graces our podcast with a tale proving passion and business acumen can coalesce into something extraordinary. Her story is one of transformation, trading the stability of finance for the thrill of independent design, without losing the analytical edge that once defined her career. Listen closel...

As your handbag fairy godmother, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Tola Adeagbo, the visionary designer behind Florian London. Her story stirs the soul—from playful days in Lagos, Nigeria to the bustling energy of London at age 11. Tola's resilience shines through tales of bullying and cultural challenges, exemplifying the grit that later became the foundation of her fashion empire. Our c...

Have you ever gazed longingly at a luxury handbag, wondering about its journey before it graced a boutique's shimmering display? This episode unfolds a riveting narrative with Charlotte Staerck, the co-founder and CEO of Handbag Clinic. Our intimate conversation travels through Charlotte's evolution from an eBay seller to a titan in the pre-owned luxury handbag market. You'll be tra...

Embark on an enchanting voyage through time with Dr. Katrina Marchant, whose expertise in early modern literature and drama offers a unique vantage point into the world of handbags and their societal significance. In our latest episode, we unravel the intricate tapestry of fashion history, tracing the handbag from its humble beginnings to its crowning as an icon of style and status. Join us as we...

Embark on a riveting exploration of the handbag industry with Jaime Levy, the renowned former SVP of sales and merchandising for Steve Madden. Jaime peels back the curtain on her journey from a disinterested inheritor of a family handbag empire to a fashion force to be reckoned with. Through her stories, listeners will discover the real dynamics that drive customer connections and learn how to nav...

Unlock the enigmatic world of handbags with your host, Emily Blumenthal, as we weave through the storied career of Abe Chehebar, the maestro behind AHQ - Accessory Headquarters's phenomenal rise. From the nostalgic walls of his father's Giselle Handbag Company to the dazzling heights of the private label industry, Abe spills the beans on making a personal statement through the evolution...

Sarah Colonna's tale of triumph, from bartending in the bustling nightlife of Los Angeles to crafting chic handbags for stadium-goers, is nothing if not a Hollywood-worthy script. With a contagious laugh and a wit sharp enough to carve her unique space in the world of fashion and entertainment, Sarah joins us to recount the highs, the lows, and the sheer perseverance that paved her path to be...

Get ready to get lucky with this exclusive interview with handbag legend, Rebecca Minkoff. Step into the fashion time capsule as we uncover the origins of the Morning After Bag from its sketch to the actual first sample with its creator, Rebecca Minkoff. You're in for a treat as Rebecca spills the beans on her rise from a tenacious clothing designer to a handbag empress, all thanks to a seren...