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What happens when a sentimental handbag inspires an entirely new business? In this episode, Penny Crook, founder of Denault Handbags, shares how a purse gifted by her late father sparked the idea for a patented reversible handbag designed to simplify wardrobes and deliver two looks in one. Leaving behind a career in financial advising, Penny entered the world of product development, manufacturing, and patents to create a bag that blends functionality, versatility, and quality. She opens up about costly manufacturing mistakes, the importance of vetting factories, and the lessons she learned rebuilding her business with stronger processes and partners. From tech packs and sampling costs to Amazon, boutiques, trade shows, and influencer marketing, Penny offers a practical roadmap for turning an idea into a marketable product.
Key Takeaways:
• Do your homework on manufacturers — Research, references, and factory vetting can save years of costly mistakes.
• Patience protects your brand — Slowing down during development often prevents expensive problems later.
• Innovation needs education — Unique products sell faster when customers can clearly see and understand the value.🎧 Listen now for a candid conversation about invention, entrepreneurship, and building a handbag brand from a personal story.
Our Guest:
Penny Crook is the founder and inventor behind Denault Handbags, a patented reversible handbag brand designed to offer style, versatility, and everyday practicality. A former financial advisor turned entrepreneur, Penny combines thoughtful product innovation with quality craftsmanship, creating handbags that help women simplify their wardrobes without sacrificing style.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.
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What does it take to turn an environmental mission into a scalable accessories business? In this episode, Beth Greenlaw of Seabags Maine shares how she left a corporate career to help build one of the most recognizable upcycled handbag brands in America. By transforming retired sailcloth into one-of-a-kind bags made on Maine’s working waterfront, Seabags created a business rooted in sustainability, local manufacturing, and authentic storytelling. Beth discusses the realities behind "Made in USA" production, building a brand around strong values, navigating founder partnerships, and creating an exit strategy that protects both the business and the people behind it. She also breaks down the practical side of growth—from wholesale and trade shows to pricing handmade products and discovering that your best customer may not be the one you originally imagined.
Key Takeaways:
• Values can drive growth — Sustainability works best when it’s embedded in the product, not just the marketing.
• Partnerships need structure — Clear roles, legal agreements, and exit plans protect both relationships and brands.
• Let customers guide strategy — The market often reveals opportunities founders never expected.🎧 Listen now for a candid conversation about sustainable manufacturing, brand building, and scaling a purpose-driven accessories company.
Our Guest:
Beth Greenlaw is the former CEO of Seabags Maine, the pioneering upcycled accessories company known for transforming retired sailcloth into handcrafted bags made in Portland, Maine. With a background in corporate sales and entrepreneurship, Beth helped grow Seabags into a nationally recognized brand while staying true to its mission of sustainability, local manufacturing, and community impact.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.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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What happens when the retail world you built no longer works? In this episode, Shy Iland, founder of Daisy Rose and former owner of the indie-boutique chain Big Drop, shares how the 2008 financial crisis reshaped his entire approach to fashion. After watching handbags outperform most retail categories during the downturn, Shy pivoted from brick-and-mortar retail into handbag manufacturing, sourcing, and private label production. He opens up about the realities of running multi-store retail before ecommerce, the pressure of inventory, rent, and shrinking margins, and the difficult decision to walk away from a family business. From traveling to China’s Canton Fair to building factory relationships and eventually launching Daisy Rose, Shy breaks down how Amazon FBA, influencer momentum, and disciplined sourcing helped transform his next chapter into a scalable business.
Key Takeaways:
• Accessories survive downturns — Handbags often outperform trend-driven categories during economic shifts.
• Manufacturing is relationship-driven — Strong factory partnerships matter more than chasing the lowest price.
• Scale requires adaptation — Moving from retail to sourcing to Amazon selling demanded constant reinvention.🎧 Listen now for a candid look at retail survival, handbag manufacturing, and building a modern accessories business from the ground up.
Our Guest:
Shy Iland is the founder of Daisy Rose and former co-owner of Big Drop, a pioneering New York boutique chain known for discovering emerging designers before the ecommerce era. With decades of experience spanning retail, sourcing, manufacturing, and Amazon-driven growth, Shy has built a business rooted in adaptability, product instinct, and strategic scaling.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.
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What happens when a strong handbag concept collides with the realities of pricing, production, and scale? In this episode, Alexandra Satine—former handbag designer and founder of YourCohort—shares her journey from creative ambition to business reinvention. From moving from Venezuela to the U.S. and breaking into fashion, to launching her own line and facing the hard lessons of trademarks, sourcing, retailer expectations, and margin pressure, Alexandra unpacks what founders often learn too late: taste may spark a brand, but financial strategy keeps it alive. She also opens up about stepping away from her namesake business, navigating venture-backed environments, and why understanding operations, investor expectations, and fractional financial leadership became the foundation for her next chapter.
Key Takeaways:
• Creativity needs business discipline — Great products fail when pricing, margins, and operations don’t support them.
• Pivoting is part of growth — Letting go of one version of success can create space for a smarter one.
• Finance protects creativity — Strong financial strategy gives founders the freedom to build sustainably.🎧 Listen now for a candid look at what it really takes to build, scale, and evolve beyond the original dream.
Our Guest:
Alexandra Satine is a former handbag designer and founder of YourCohort, where she helps businesses sharpen strategy, operations, and financial clarity. After firsthand experience building and exiting her own fashion brand, Alexandra now uses that hard-won knowledge to help founders create stronger, more sustainable businesses.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.
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What happens when handbag design stops being just about trends and starts confronting bigger questions—materials, sustainability, and what happens after the hype fades? In this episode, Syl Tang joins us to unpack how the accessories world is shifting through the lens of fashion history, customer behavior, and future forecasting. From the scrappy late-90s NYC era—when emerging brands had to win customers face-to-face—to today’s conversations around sustainability, co-branding, and smarter growth, Syl shares why designers need more than aesthetics to build lasting brands. We explore customer ethnography, the risks of outsourcing too early, and why durability, transparency, and global forces like climate and economics increasingly shape what people buy.
Key Takeaways:
• Know your customer firsthand — Real-world insight beats vanity metrics every time.
• Sustainability needs substance — Durable materials and transparency matter more than trendy labels.
• Future-proof your brand — Cultural, economic, and environmental shifts define what sells next.🎧 Listen now for a sharp conversation on sustainability, strategic growth, and designing brands that outlast the trend cycle.
Our Guest:
Syl Tang is a futurist, sustainability strategist, and founder focused on helping brands understand the intersection of fashion, innovation, and long-term consumer behavior. With experience spanning accessories, trend forecasting, and cultural analysis, Syl brings a forward-thinking perspective to how designers can build products—and companies—that stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.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.
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What happens when fashion stops following one trend cycle and splinters into thousands of micro-movements? We sit down with fashion editor Ilia Sib Zvalli to unpack why the old model of seasonal “must-haves” is breaking down—and what that means for designers, shoppers, and brands trying to stay relevant. Ilia explains how social media fractured trend forecasting, why niche aesthetics now shape consumer behavior faster than traditional fashion calendars, and how today’s smartest brands win by understanding context, not just virality. From Substack’s rise as a freer editorial platform to the psychology behind oxblood tones, statement silhouettes, and region-specific style, this conversation offers a sharper lens on what actually drives fashion now.
Key Takeaways:
• Trends didn’t disappear — They fragmented into microcultures with faster, localized influence.
• Context drives style — Climate, culture, and lifestyle shape what truly sells.
• Independent voices matter — Sharper analysis often comes from platforms outside ad-driven media.🎧 Listen now for a smarter conversation on trend forecasting, fashion media, and what really shapes style today.
Our Guest:
Ilia-Sybil Sdralli is a fashion editor and industry commentator known for his sharp perspective on luxury, consumer behavior, and evolving trend culture. With experience navigating both traditional fashion media and independent editorial spaces, Ilia brings a nuanced understanding of how trends, storytelling, and commerce intersect in today’s fragmented style landscape.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.
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What happens when curiosity, risk-taking, and a refusal to follow the expected path collide? We sit down with Vidyuth Srinivasan, CEO of Entrupy, to explore his journey from India to New York, from journalism to entrepreneurship, and from outsider to innovator. Vidyuth shares how embracing his identity, thinking independently, and challenging conventional systems helped shape Entrupy—a company built to solve one of fashion’s biggest problems: trust. From navigating cultural identity to developing authentication technology that fights counterfeiting, this conversation reveals how randomness, data, and conviction can transform industries.
Key Takeaways:
• Authenticity starts with trust — Technology can scale transparency where doubt exists.
• Risk fuels innovation — Nontraditional paths often create the biggest breakthroughs.
• Identity is an asset — Staying true to yourself can become a competitive advantage.🎧 Listen now for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, authentication, and building trust in a counterfeit world.
Our Guest:
Vidyuth Srinivasan is the CEO and co-founder of Entrupy, a technology company using AI-powered authentication to combat counterfeiting in luxury goods. With a background spanning journalism, entrepreneurship, and technology, Vidyuth has built a platform focused on transparency, trust, and protecting both businesses and consumers in high-stakes marketplaces.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.
https://www.instagram.com/entrupy/
https://www.entrupy.com/
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What if luxury wasn’t about pressure—but about freedom to be fully yourself? We sit down with Nancy Gale, founder of JAMAH Handbags, to explore how a clear point of view shapes every decision, from materials to manufacturing. Nancy shares what it takes to build an ultra-luxury brand in the U.S., why she refuses to cut corners to hit price points, and how strong relationships—from factories to suppliers—can define both your strength and your risk. It’s a conversation about standing firm in your values while navigating growth, partnership changes, and the constant pressure to scale.
Key Takeaways:
• Don’t dilute the vision — True luxury requires holding the line on quality.
• Relationships are leverage — The right partners can elevate or expose your brand.
• Define success your way — Scaling doesn’t mean sacrificing identity.🎧 Listen now for a grounded take on building a luxury brand with conviction.
Our Guest:
Nancy Gale is the founder of JAMAH Handbags, an American-made luxury brand rooted in individuality, craftsmanship, and purpose. Known for her commitment to premium materials like Italian lambskin and her philosophy of “Be who you are,” Nancy combines design, business, and advocacy through her brand and her nonprofit, Ambition.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.
Subscribe, share this with a designer friend, and leave a review so more people can find Handbag Designer 101.
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What happens when the way you start building your brand is the very thing holding you back? We sit down with Andrea Pascual to unpack the shift from early hustle to sustainable growth—when handmaking every piece, chasing quality, and saying yes to everything starts costing more than it gives. From her path through FIT and New York’s garment district to the realities of bespoke pricing and burnout, Andrea shares how designers navigate the tension between artistry and building a real business—and why pivoting is often the hardest, but most necessary, move.
Key Takeaways:
• What works early won’t scale — Growth requires letting go of old processes.
• Handmade has limits — Time, margins, and energy must be protected.
• Production is strategy — Factories, tech packs, and backups are critical to survival.🎧 Listen now for an honest look at what it takes to evolve from maker to brand.
Our Guest:
Andrea Pascual is a handbag designer with experience spanning handcrafted leather goods and scaled production. With roots in Canada and training at FIT in New York, she brings a practical perspective on sourcing, sampling, and navigating the complex transition from artisan to entrepreneur in the handbag industry.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.
Subscribe, share this with a designer friend, and leave a review so more people can find Handbag Designer 101.
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Why is buying a Hermès bag so complicated—and is there a smarter way in? We sit down with Chloe Chen, known as Chloe Hermes Fairy, to break down the real mechanics behind scoring a Birkin, Kelly, or Mini Kelly—from purchase history and boutique politics to the reality of being offered a bag without knowing the specs. Chloe also pulls back the curtain on the resale and sourcing market, explaining how brokers secure exact bags, why prices fluctuate, and how paying for expertise can save time, money, and frustration.
Key Takeaways:
• Access is strategic — Boutique offers depend on history, timing, and relationships.
• Resale can be smarter — Sourcing directly often beats inflated platform pricing.
• Authenticate everything — High stakes demand trusted verification and process.🎧 Listen now for a clear, insider playbook on navigating the Hermès market without the guesswork.
Our Guest:
Chloe Chen, known as Chloe Hermes Fairy, is a luxury handbag sourcing expert specializing in Hermès. She helps clients secure specific Birkin, Kelly, and Mini Kelly bags through a global network, guiding them through pricing, authentication, and strategy in both boutique and resale markets.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.
Subscribe, share this with a designer friend, and leave a review so more people can find Handbag Designer 101.
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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, Tanner eventually found himself in Chicago, working as a cab driver after winning a green card lottery. Despite language barriers and culture shock, he pursued an MBA and combined his traditional leather expertise with modern business skills.
Tanner’s brand, Pagai, and his viral TikTok videos, where he deconstructs luxury handbags, have educated and entertained millions, shedding light on leather quality, craftsmanship, and industry practices.
Key takeaways include the importance of understanding leather quality, transparency in craftsmanship, and sustainability in production. Tanner’s story is a testament to the power of tradition, innovation, and perseverance.
Leather Quality: Educating designers and consumers about tanning, leather grades, and sourcing enhances handbag durability and value.Craftsmanship Transparency: Showcasing the production process builds trust and appreciation for the artistry.Sustainability: Embrace eco-friendly tanning, upcycled materials, and ethical sourcing to align with sustainable fashion trends.
Key Takeaways: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,” she has collaborated with leading brands such as Swarovski, Kenneth Cole, Henri Bendel, Kate Spade, and Macy’s. Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology and is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.
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https://www.tiktok.com/@tanner.leatherstein
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What makes a luxury bag feel “real”—and why can even an authentic one sit unsold? We sit down with Dani Smith, senior authentication specialist at What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA), to unpack the fine details that drive trust in the vintage handbag market. From a Chanel bag mistaken as fake to the limits of resale photos, Danny explains why in-person evaluation still matters and how structure, scent, and subtle wear can make or break a purchase. He also shares how authenticators are trained, what actually sells, and how trends and influencer demand impact resale value.
Key Takeaways:
• Details define authenticity — Small cues separate real from questionable.
• In-person still wins — Photos miss critical signs of quality and wear.
• Trends don’t guarantee value — Demand can shift faster than expected.🎧 Listen now for an insider look at authentication, resale strategy, and smarter vintage buying.
Our Guest:
Dani Smith is a senior authentication specialist at What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA), a leading luxury vintage retailer. With deep expertise in brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, he helps verify authenticity, guide collectors, and navigate the fast-evolving resale market with a trained eye for detail.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.
Subscribe, share this with a designer friend, and leave a review so more people can find Handbag Designer 101.
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Why do some beautiful bags fail the moment they hit the market? We sit down with handbag designer and consultant Holly Lauren Beedle—an industry “ghost designer” whose work appears under brands you definitely know—to unpack the realities behind successful bag design. Holly explains why pricing must come first, how ethnography shapes function, and why merchandising and material choices determine whether a bag survives real life or quietly disappears from shelves.
Key Takeaways:
• Price first, design second — Retail strategy should guide materials and development.
• Design for real life — Ethnography reveals what customers truly need from a bag.
• Merchandising matters — Presentation and usability can determine sell-through.🎧 Listen now for a behind-the-scenes look at how handbags are really designed, priced, and brought to market.
Our Guest:
Holly Lauren Beedle is a handbag designer and product development consultant who works behind the scenes with established brands to create commercially successful accessories. Known for blending ethnographic research with practical merchandising strategy, she helps companies design bags that perform in both the marketplace and everyday life.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.
Subscribe, share this with a designer friend, and leave a review so more people can find Handbag Designer 101.
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What makes a handbag truly worth carrying every day? We sit down with Shay Prasad of Bags for Breakfast to explore how years on the retail floor shaped her approach to bags as tools for life—not just status symbols. From writing deep-dive Substack essays to launching a curated vintage shop, Shay explains how storytelling, condition knowledge, and retail anthropology turn casual shoppers into thoughtful collectors. Along the way, she shares how to judge patina versus wear, why function matters as much as heritage, and how understanding the history behind iconic houses helps buyers make smarter, more sustainable choices.
Key Takeaways:
• Function beats fantasy — A great bag works with your real life.
• Patina has value — “Loved” pieces often carry more character than pristine ones.
• Context sharpens taste — Knowing a brand’s history leads to better buying decisions.🎧 Listen now for a thoughtful look at vintage handbags, collecting, and choosing pieces that truly earn their place in your rotation.
Our Guest:
Shay Prasad is the founder of Bags for Breakfast, a platform dedicated to thoughtful handbag collecting and vintage discovery. Drawing on years of retail experience and deep research into fashion history, she blends storytelling, education, and curation to help buyers appreciate craftsmanship, condition, and the cultural stories behind the bags they carry.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.
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What does it take to turn a spark into a bag you can actually hold? We sit down with founder and designer Lauren Reed, who left corporate life, partnered with generational leather artisans in Guatemala, and launched her brand in just 47 days from idea to first sample. Lauren shares how retail experience shaped her product instincts, why vegetable-tanned leather and upcycled denim linings were non-negotiable, and how clear standards on craft, ethics, and function allowed her to move fast without cutting corners.
Key Takeaways:
• Speed needs standards — Move quickly, but never at the expense of materials or values.
• Product first, story second — Narrative only works when the bag performs.
• Set non-negotiables — Clear brand DNA makes tough decisions easier.Our Guest:
Lauren Reed is the founder and designer of a purpose-driven handbag brand produced in partnership with generational leather artisans in Guatemala. Focused on vegetable-tanned leather, thoughtful function, and ethical production practices, she blends retail insight with disciplined execution to build bags designed to age beautifully and perform in everyday life.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.
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What makes a bag feel powerful the second someone spots it across the floor—and why does that magic disappear when brands scale? We sit down with Matthew Lafargue of Accessory Think Tank to unpack lessons from the Macy’s sales floor to leading $1.8B in wholesale. Matthew explains how service, presentation, and training shape perceived value more than spreadsheets ever could—and why clarity in assortments, hero products, and tiering protects brands as they grow.
Key Takeaways:
• Perception drives performance — Store experience shapes value before price does.
• Protect the halo — Hero styles anchor growth and prevent brand confusion.
• Test tight, scale smart — Clean buys and strong sell-through beat bloated assortments.Our Guest:
Matthew Lafargue is a retail and wholesale strategist at Accessory Think Tank, with experience spanning department stores and billion-dollar accessory portfolios. Known for blending field insight with financial rigor, he helps brands sharpen presentation, strengthen hero products, and scale without losing their edge.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.
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Retail isn’t dying—it’s recalibrating. We sit down with William Brobston of the Brobston Group, to explore the shift from oversized, anonymous stores to smaller, neighborhood spaces where teams know your name and brands feel personal. Drawing from experience across luxury fashion, jewelry, beauty, and home, William explains why e-commerce owns convenience but human connection builds loyalty—and how brands that invest in people, not just product, are pulling ahead.
Key Takeaways:
• Convenience is table stakes — Connection is the moat.
• Invest in people, not just products — Teams translate brand into loyalty.
• Local wins — Smaller formats and mono-brand stores are redefining retail growth.Our Guest:
William Brobston is a retail leader with experience spanning luxury fashion, jewelry, beauty, and home. Known for building high-performing teams and blending retail anthropology with analytics, he advises brands on how to localize assortments, elevate in-store storytelling, and create community-driven growth in an evolving market.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.
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What turns a love of making into an accessories brand people stop you on the street to ask about? We sit down with Anyah Sealey, founder of A by Anyah, to trace a path shaped by global training, hard critiques, and real market feedback. From early beading classes in Ghana to design school in Paris and rotations across major fashion houses, Anyah shares how craft, data, and adaptability combine to create bags that photograph beautifully and hold up in real life.
Key Takeaways:
• Detach ego from product — The customer, not the designer, makes the final call.
• Craft + commerce win together — Material knowledge and pricing discipline sharpen creativity.
• Build heroes, cut the rest — Staying power comes from focus, not excess.Our Guest:
Anyah Sealey is the founder and creative director of A by Anyah, a handbag brand rooted in global craftsmanship and modern functionality. With training spanning Ghana, Paris, and major fashion houses across menswear, womenswear, and kids, Anyah brings a rare blend of emotional design and market intelligence to accessories built for everyday impact.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.
Support the show
Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner
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What makes a bag feel alive after years of use—not just intact? We sit down with Grant Anderson, founder of Uptown Common, to explore how hand sewing, vegetable-tanned leather, and solid brass hardware reshape durability into desire. Grant breaks down why quiet construction details matter more than logos, how pricing honestly protects makers, and what it takes to build products that improve—not disappoint—with age.
Key Takeaways:
• Craft is a practice, not a claim — True quality comes from repeatable habits, not labels.
• Price for reality, not romance — Underpricing breaks makers long before it serves customers.
• Scale without dilution — Apprenticeship and end-to-end making preserve integrity as you grow.Our Guest:
Grant Anderson is the founder of Uptown Common, a leather goods brand built on hand sewing, vegetable-tanned leather, and heirloom construction. Known for his disciplined approach to craft and pricing, Grant also founded Leather Reserve, expanding access to high-quality Italian leathers for independent makers committed to materials that patina, perform, and last.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.
Support the show
Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner
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What happens when a dream job disappears—and the real opportunity is right at home? In this episode, designer Ana Laverde shares how a Milan-trained industrial designer transformed a setback into a focused handbag brand rooted in Colombian leather, systems thinking, and disciplined edits. Ana explains how her background in luxury packaging shaped her approach to bags as functional objects for daily life, why sourcing in Bogotá’s Restrepo district became a competitive edge, and how proximity to production protects quality, margins, and brand DNA. From killing slow styles to leading wholesale with proven best sellers, she breaks down how testing through pop-ups, trimming color palettes, and partnering with a numbers-driven advisor turned creativity into repeatable wins—without losing identity.
Key Takeaways:
• Design is a system — Structure, function, and durability come before decoration.
• Edit to scale — Kill slow styles, lead with best sellers, and let data guide risk.
• Proximity is power — Staying close to production safeguards quality and cash.🎧 Listen now for a grounded look at how craft, commerce, and clarity build resilient brands.
Our Guest:
Ana Laverde is a Colombian handbag designer and industrial designer trained in Milan. With a background in luxury packaging and a hands-on approach to sourcing and production, she builds leather handbags defined by sharp edits, functional design, and repeatable commercial success—proving that focus and systems can turn craft into scale.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.
Support the show
Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner
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