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Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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.
Episodes
87 episodes
Elyce Arons from Crafting Kate Spade to Launching Frances Valentine | Emily Blumenthal & Elyce Arons
✨ A re-release of one of our favorite episodes! Step into the heart of New York’s fashion legacy with Elyce Arons, co-founder of Kate Spade and Frances Valentine, as she shares the remarkable story behind one of the most iconic handbag brands o...
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Season 1
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47:51
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From Ziplocs to Luxury: The Hudson Bleeker Journey | Emily Blumenthal & Eram Siddiqui
What started with plastic grocery bags and Ziplocs sparked a travel accessory empire. Eram Siddiqui turned personal frustration into the polished, fashion-forward brand Hudson+Bleecker—now carried by Nordstrom, Revolve, and QVC. Her journey fro...
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34:40
From Saks to Startups: Marketing That Sells with Ernest Moore🎯🛍️ | Emily Blumenthal & Ernest Moore
Step into the world of fashion marketing with Ernest Moore, of Moore Marketing & PR, a seasoned pro who’s worked with top PR agencies and retail giants like Macy’s and Saks. In this must-hear episode, Erne...
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39:01
Evolve or Perish: Retail Insights with Bernadette Giacomazzo 👜✨| Emily Blumenthal & Bernadette Giacomazzo
What happens when brands fail to adapt? Journalist Bernadette Giacomazzo breaks it down, sharing why evolution is essential for survival in today’s retail landscape. From Blockbuster vs. Netflix to the rise of secondhand shopping and upcycling,...
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Season 1
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35:35
Mastering Venture Capital with Rachel Johnson 💼✨| Emily Blumenthal & Rachel Johnson
Step behind the scenes of venture capital funding with Rachel Johnson, co-founder of J&O Law Firm and founder of Ami Health. With a decade of experience guiding high-growth companies, Rachel shares her dual insights as an attorney and found...
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Season 1
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25:41
Branding, Storytelling & Handbag Success with Idalia Salsamendi 👜✨ | Emily Blumenthal & Idalia Salsamendi
Step into the world of fashion, strategy & storytelling with industry powerhouse Idalia Salsamendi! From PR to fashion leadership, Idalia shares the must-know fundamentals of branding, competition, and consumer demands—especially in sustain...
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Season 1
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29:11
40+ Years of Handbag Mastery with Frank LaMendola 👜✨| Emily Blumenthal & Frank LaMendola
Step into the world of timeless design & craftsmanship with legendary handbag designer Frank LaMendola! With over four decades in the industry, Frank shares insights on fashion’s cyclical nature and today’s shift toward understated luxury &...
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Season 1
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29:10
Navigating Global Fashion: Oleg Chebotarev’s Creative Journey from Russia to China | Oleg Chebotarev & Emily Blumenthal
Join us as we sit down with Oleg Chebotarev, the visionary Creative Director of Jump From Paper, who shares his unconventional journey through the fashion world. From post-communist R...
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Season 1
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29:46
From Hollywood to Entrepreneurship: Reinventing Your Brand with Dana Bowling | Emily Blumenthal & Dana Bowling
Dana Bowling, a former Hollywood casting director turned entrepreneur, shares how she walked away from a high-profile career to build a business on her own terms. In this episode, Dana reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of Hollywood, the p...
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36:16
Navigating Creative Burnout and Embracing New Beginnings with Ginna Christensen | Emily Blumenthal & Ginna Christensen
Ginna Christensen, a creative recovery expert, shares her journey in helping individuals reclaim their creative spark amid the pervasive threat of burnout. Burnout doesn’t just slow us down—it erodes ...
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Season 1
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29:48
Jessica Minor and the Rise of Handbag Dupe Culture | Emily Blumenthal & Jessica Minor
Jessica Minor, a rising fashion influencer, shares her journey from thrifting enthusiast to a viral TikTok sensation. Her passion for affordable fashion alternatives has made her a leading voice in the handbag dupe community. In this epi...
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Season 1
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23:50
From Waitress to Handbag Innovator with Bogg Bag Founder, Kim Vaccarella | Emily Blumenthal & Kim Vaccarella
Kim Vaccarella’s journey from hospitality to the creative force behind the Bogg Bag is a story of resilience and innovation. Kim shares how she transformed skepticism into success, navigating the unpredictable fashion industry with determinatio...
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Season 1
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46:45
Revolutionizing Sustainable Fashion: How Fish Skin Leather is Redefining Ethical Luxury with Stanley Major: | Emily Blumenthal & Stanley Major
Discover how Stanley Major, founder of Sea Leather Wear, is revolutionizing sustainable fashion by transforming discarded fish skins into luxurious leather alternatives. In this episode of the Handbag Designer 101 Podcast, ...
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Season 1
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22:33
Redefining Sustainable Fashion: Nancy Rhodes’ Journey to Innovation and Impact | Emily Blumenthal & Nancy Rhodes
Nancy Rhodes shares her journey from aspiring designer to leader in sustainable fashion. With experience at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, Nancy gained insights into consumer behavior before designing footwear for brands like BCBG and Kenneth Col...
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Season 1
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30:10
What You Don’t Know About Marketing with Petia Abdur-Razzaaq of the Stylista Group | Emily Blumenthal & Petia Abdur-Razzaaq
Petia Abdur-Razzaaq, a marketing expert who transitioned from pharmacy to branding, blends scientific precision with creative storytelling to offer strategies for building standout brands. Emphasizing authenticity, consistency, and engagement, ...
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Season 1
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31:49
The Crochet Hobby Turned Handbag Brand with Treniece Green of Covered by T | Emily Blumenthal & Treniece Green
Discover the world of handbag innovation with Treniece Green, the visionary behind Covered by T, who started her journey with a crochet hook and t-shirt yarn during college. This episode uncovers how Treniece transformed a stress-relieving hobb...
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Season 1
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30:18
The Legacy of Famed Dutch Handbag Brand, Hester van Eeghen with Roberta Oriani
Join us for an engaging conversation with Roberta Oriani as we explore the captivating world of the Dutch handbag brand, Hester van Eeghen. Listen as Roberta recounts her serendipitous meeting with the brand's founder, Hester van Eeghen, and ho...
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Season 1
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34:27
How to Make and Manufacture a Handbag with Nicole Levy of Baikal Handbags
Discover the extraordinary journey of Nicole Levy, who pivoted from a promising career in hospitality management to leading her family's legacy at Baikal Handbags. Uncover the personal satisfaction she finds in transforming designers' visions i...
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Season 1
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46:29
Mastering American Manufacturing with Kim Thomas
Kim Thomas, a seasoned designer with an inspiring journey from footwear to handbags, joins us to unpack the secrets of her success. Her story is one of grit, creativity, and the power of networking, charted from her early days in New York to he...
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Season 1
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34:12
Ukrainian Passion and Persistence with Olena Wills
Discover the captivating journeys of handbag designers who have transformed their passions into thriving careers. This episode features Olena Wills, a former math and physics teacher from Ukraine turned celebrated designer with her brand Olena ...
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Season 1
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36:59
From Data to Design, How PR Shapes Handbag Brand Success with Danika Daly
Are you curious about transforming a passion into a flourishing career? Join us as Danika Daly, a powerhouse in PR, shares her compelling journey from the world of science to the vibrant realm of public relations. Danika's story is a testament ...
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Season 1
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33:29
E-Commerce strategies, insights, and content creation with Amber Katz
Curious about the journey from journalism to content creation in the world of beauty and fashion? Amber Katz, an expert, writer, and content creator, shares her fascinating story from her Boston University days to becoming a leading voice in th...
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Season 1
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31:08
Navigating Handbag AI Tech Authentication with Entrupy’s Vidyuth Srinivasan
Ever wonder how a name can shape a person’s journey? Vidyuth Srinivasan, the dynamic CEO of Entrupy, joins us to share his experiences navigating life in the U.S. with a unique name. Vidyuth opens up about his adventurous path from India to New...
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Season 1
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44:43
Ori Lehavi on Creating a Legacy Handbag Brand
What does it take to carve out a niche in a market dominated by global giants? Join us for an inspiring exploration with Ori Lehavi as he shares the remarkable story of his mother, Daniella Lehavi, who paved the way for designer handbags in the...
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Season 1
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37:43
Revolutionizing Fashion Technology with Launchmetrics’ Alison Bringé
Discover how Alison Bringé, the visionary Chief Marketing Officer of Launchmetrics, has reshaped the landscape of the fashion, lifestyle, and beauty industries. With exclusive insights into her transformative journey from brand-side roles...
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Season 1
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28:01