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

From a tiny spark in rural Kansas to the roaring blaze of New York's fashion scene, Elyce Arons’ narrative is one for the storybooks. Alongside her best friend, Katie Brosnahan aka Kate Spade, Elyce takes us down memory lane, revealing how they transformed a shared dream and a modest start-up capital into the globally recognized Kate Spade brand. Delivered with the warmth of a heart-to-heart,...

Are you ready to embark on an inspiring journey with us? Prepare to be captivated by the groundbreaking story of Pakistan's premier handbag brand, WARP. We sit down for an intimate chat with the creative mastermind behind the brand, Hirra Babar. She takes us through her decision to veer off the beaten track after business school and follow her passion in the fashion industry. Let's just...

Have you ever caught yourself captivated by the sartorial elegance of TV personalities, wondering who crafts their impeccable style? Step behind the scenes with Darshan Gress, the visionary stylist whose touch has graced the wardrobes of television's elite. From the pulsating energy of MTV to the meticulous curation of personal wardrobes, Darshan shares a treasure trove of experiences, unders...

Discover the future of your favorite fashion staple as Beth Goldstein from Circana joins us to unravel the complexities of the handbag industry. We're talking the inside scoop on why those Chanel flaps and Hermes Birkins are bucking the economic trend and fetching even higher prices, despite the world's belt-tightening. Get ready to navigate the murky waters of market analytics and consu...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to leave a promising career in finance and dive feet-first into the bustling world of fashion? Eda Lourdes, the creative force behind Edalou Paris, has done just that and she's here to share her fascinating story with us. From her upbringing in Puerto Rico with a deep passion for dance and creativity, to her transformative 16 years in the finance s...

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, l...

Imagine setting foot on unfamiliar soil, grappling with a foreign language, yet nurturing a dream to make it big in the fashion industry. Our guest today, Genesis Warner, the powerhouse behind the handbag brand Leisara, did just that and more. We unravel her inspiring voyage from Venezuela to the United States and delve into the myriad challenges she had to overcome, from language barriers to find...

From the vibrant streets of Poland to the heart of London's fashion scene, we journey through the inspiring tale of Alexandra Klimek, a powerhouse handbag designer with a story to tell. Aspiring designers, take note: This is a golden opportunity to learn from an expert who cut her teeth at fashion giants like Alexander McQueen and Mulberry. Get ready to discover the power of perseverance, the...

Unzip the world of handbag designing with me, your host Emily Blumenthal, and our esteemed guest Christina Langbort, Director of Business Development for New York and Europe at Hilldun, in this enlightening episode. We're throwing the spotlight on the role of a factor company like Hilldun in the world of fashion and revealing how they are the force behind successful apparel and accessory busi...

Get ready for an inspiring story that takes us from the atelier floors of the Philippines to the bustling streets of New York City. We've got an incredible guest today, Rafe – a self-made handbag designer. At 18, Rafe embarked on an exciting journey that started with his atelier and led him to become the Creative Director overseeing all Nine West handbag brands including Nine West, Anne Klein...

Who's to say handbags are just a fashion statement? Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Executive Editor of Women's Wear Daily, and Emily believe they are so much more. As authorities in the fashion industry, Arthur offers a deep dive into the fascinating world of handbags, consumer behavior, and the ever-evolving fashion industry. His expertise offers a unique perspective on the trends shaping the indu...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a dream into a thriving international business? This episode promises an inspiring journey with Coral Chung, the founder and CEO of SENREVE, a coveted handbag brand. Coral, a Chinese immigrant, navigates us through her experience of embracing new cultures, the struggles of learning a new language, and the inspiring journey of her family's pursuit o...

Have you ever wondered how someone transitions from a corporate role in General Electric to creating a successful handbag brand? We've had the pleasure of welcoming Aaron Luo, the co-founder and CEO of CARAA, to share his fascinating journey. In our candid talk, Aaron dives into his life as a first-generation immigrant, traveling from Shanghai, China to Madrid, Spain, and eventually, the US....

“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 ex...

What if a layoff could be the catalyst for an entrepreneurial breakthrough? Meet Sherrill Mosee, a former Lockheed Martin engineer, who transformed her adversity into a stepping stone to success with her innovative venture, MinkeeBlue. Join us as Sherrill shares her enthralling journey from designing a practical handbag for busy moms to starting her very own handbag line. Sherrill's story is...

Join us as we journey through time with Catherine Buckland, an expert in handbag research and history. In a riveting conversation, we explore the inception of the handbag, starting from the humble origins of the pocket and tracing their evolution amidst the ebb and flow of pandemics. Prepare to be left open-mouthed as we uncover bizarre tales of handbag taxes, the use of leather bags,  and the han...

Picture this: a young boy, secretly nurturing his love for fashion and textiles under the stern gaze of a disapproving father. Fast forward a few years, and that same boy, now a man, Adrian Furstenburg, has channeled his passion to become a successful handbag designer, earning his spot as an IHDA All Star Alum. Born from a piece of cloth and desire to create, Adrian's fascinating journey take...

Prepare to be fascinated by the heartening journey of Camille Tagle, the creative genius and co-founder of FabScrap. She shares her intriguing transition from a designer of evening wear to a pioneering innovator, committed to sustainable fashion. FabScrap, the non-profit she co-founded, creatively addresses the environmental issues associated with textile waste by partnering with brands to respons...

Ever dreamt of launching your own fashion brand? Today, we're sitting down with two ambitious handbag designers, Moya and Ashley, who turned that dream into reality with their brand, Ashya . This episode is an intimate exploration of their journey from classmates at Fashion Institute of Technology to successful entrepreneurs, navigating the hurdles of transitioning from corporate America to r...

Have you ever found yourself captivated by the intricate craftsmanship of a handbag, the story it tells through its design and materials? Our guest today, Doris Izquierdo from DOIZPE , is here to share her personal journey and the fascinating tale behind becoming a Mexico-born handbag designer. Doris' designs are deeply rooted in her upbringing, her family's pride in Mexican-made product...

Unzip the secrets to handbag design and branding strategy as we deconstruct the art and business of creating statement carryalls with industry leader, Nancy Forman of The Accessory Think Tank . As a key player in the initial handbag awards creation and a seasoned merchant, Nancy dives into the demanding world of product development, growth expectations, and the significance of customer understandi...

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, we've got the brilliant Jada Holmes of Afro Puff Jada blessing us with her captivating journey. You'll be on the edge of your seat as she takes us on a rollercoaster ride from TikTok videos with her mom to becoming an innovative handbag designer. Turns out, sometimes when you can't find the perfect accessory, you end up creating...

Handbag Designer 101 Podcast Overview Imagine moving to a new state at eight and discovering a love for artistic expression that sparks an adventurous spirit. That’s the story of Antoine Manning, founder of Homage Year, a thriving handbag and accessory design company. Antoine's journey is extraordinary from a passion for Japanese comics to a successful fashion career. In our conversation, he...

Handbag Designer 101 Podcast Overview Meet Volkan Yilmaz, also known as “Tanner Leatherstein ,” a leather artisan and entrepreneur whose journey spans continents. From his beginnings in his father’s tannery in Turkey to becoming a TikTok sensation in the U.S., Tanner’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and passion. After moving to Turkmenistan and Armenia with his family to run tanneries, Ta...

Handbag Designer 101 Podcast Overview: Let's take a trip down handbag history memory lane, shall we? I had the pleasure of being joined by handbag designer Monica Botkier , and together we reminisced about the humble beginnings of the handbag industry, recalling iconic brands like Kate Spade and Monica's own brand, Botkier. The conversation took several unexpected turns, covering everyth...