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Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
Emily Blumenthal
116 episodes
2 days ago
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 fi...
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Fashion & Beauty
Arts
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All content for Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons is the property of Emily Blumenthal and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
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 fi...
Show more...
Fashion & Beauty
Arts
Episodes (20/116)
Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
🎙️ 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 fi...
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6 days ago
41 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
🎙️ 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 s...
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1 week ago
42 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 ret...
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2 weeks ago
49 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 real legacy. Starting with a 500-square-foot shop in Silver Lake, Claire 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-...
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3 weeks ago
37 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
Inside NY Now: Why Wholesale Still Matters for Independent Designers 👜🛍️| Emily Blumenthal & Matthew Mathiasen
In an era dominated by DTC, what role do trade shows still play in building a fashion brand? In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, we sit down with Matthew Mathiasen, Show Director of NY Now, to unpack why wholesale isn’t just relevant—it’s essential for emerging accessory brands looking for long-term growth, especially now with The “It Bag x NY NOW” new program. With over 100 years of history, NY Now has evolved from a traditional gift show to a curated marketplace where boutiques and inn...
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1 month ago
42 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
Inside the Handbag Machine: How Cathy Schwartz-Shino Defines Real Brand Power | Emily Blumenthal & Cathy Schwartz-Shino
Ever wonder why some handbags turn heads while others disappear into the crowd? Cathy Schwartz-Shino—veteran of major handbag licenses and founder of Edit Accordingly—pulls back the curtain on what truly makes a brand unforgettable: a strong identity, the right partnerships, and attention to detail. Today’s shopper doesn’t wait for department stores to declare what’s in; they chase meaning and individuality. Whether it’s vintage, upcycled, or a fresh new silhouette, Cathy explains how licensi...
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1 month ago
39 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 Dawn 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. Wh...
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1 month ago
35 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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...
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1 month ago
54 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 ...
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2 months ago
37 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 J...
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2 months ago
26 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 ...
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2 months ago
1 hour 4 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 entrepre...
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2 months ago
32 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 ...
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3 months ago
25 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
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 t...
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3 months ago
33 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
Motherhood Meets Handbags: The Story of Misenver | Emily Blumenthal & Shinyoung Park
What happens when you mix a mischievous spirit, versatile design, and a new baby? For Shinyoung Park, it led to the creation of Misenver —a handbag brand born at the intersection of motherhood and entrepreneurial ambition. In this inspiring episode, Shinyoung shares her path from fashion school in Korea to working in LA’s clothing industry, and how pregnancy became the push to finally launch her own brand. With Misenver priced in the $200–$300 range, she’s found the perfect sweet spot b...
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3 months ago
30 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
Healing Through Handbags: Chelli Look’s Journey of Creativity and Loss | Emily Blumenthal & Chelli Look
Chelli Look’s story is as inspiring as it is emotional. A self-taught designer since high school, she began making handbags after her sister challenged her to “figure it out yourself.” What started as a creative outlet became a livelihood—and later, a lifeline through unimaginable personal loss. In this moving episode, Chelli opens up about losing her best friend and business partner in a tragic accident, and how creating bags became her meditative way to process grief. Her journey, captured ...
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3 months ago
30 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
From Walmart Fabric to a Multi-Million Dollar Brand: Jessy Dover’s Bold Blueprint | Emily Blumenthal & Jessy Dover
When Jessy Dover sewed her own hot pink prom dress from Walmart fabric, she had no idea it would spark the vision for Dagne Dover—now one of the most functional (and stylish) handbag brands on the market. In this episode, Jessy shares her journey from Parsons to co-founding a powerhouse trio with Melissa Mash and Deepa Gandhi. From winning a Coach design competition with zero handbag experience to building a company culture where feedback actually works, Jesse proves that scrappy beats perfec...
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3 months ago
48 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
What Really Makes an It Bag in 2026? Beth Goldstein Breaks It Down 🎒📊| Emily Blumenthal & Beth Goldstein
Think you know what defines an “It Bag”? Think again. In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, Beth Goldstein, Executive Director of Footwear & Accessories at Circana, joins Emily Blumenthal to unpack how social media has transformed the handbag market—and why a $299 Trader Joe’s tote can now claim the title. From viral hits to lasting brands, Beth explains how today’s fragmented market is shifting power away from legacy labels and toward innovative independents. With names like Coach, Ve...
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4 months ago
35 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
From One Bag to a Global Brand: Rebecca Minkoff on Building Fashion That Lasts 👜🌍| Emily Blumenthal & Rebecca Minkoff
What does it take to turn one handbag into a worldwide fashion brand? In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, Emily Blumenthal sits down with the iconic Rebecca Minkoff to unpack the journey from her first design to building an empire that changed the handbag industry forever. It all started with the Morning After Bag—a now-legendary design born from a chance encounter with actress Jenna Elfman and fueled by early internet buzz. From there, Rebecca’s brand exploded, capturing the spirit of m...
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4 months ago
39 minutes

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons
What It Really Takes to Launch a Handbag Brand in 2024 💼👜| 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 eve...
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4 months ago
37 minutes

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