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

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. 

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What does it really take for a heritage brand to become part of everyday culture? In this episode, Lew Frankfort—former CEO of Coach and author of The Bag Man—shares how Coach scaled from a small leather workshop into a global brand by designing for real life, not runway moments. Lew breaks down why he focused on “share of closet” over one-hit wonders, how early DTC testing and customer data shaped collections, and the craft decisions—like lighter-weight leather and functional silhouettes—that turned comfort into a competitive edge. He also reflects on Coach’s expansion into Japan in the 90s, the power of signature materials, and today’s brand stewardship with Stuart Vevers and Todd Kahn, where sustainability, vintage, and experiential retail are signals of listening, not gimmicks.
Key Takeaways:
• Design for real life — Function, comfort, and repeat use build lasting loyalty.
 • Data beats instinct alone — Zip codes, psychographics, and field testing reveal what customers won’t say.
 • Stewardship over seasons — Legacy brands win by evolving their codes, not abandoning them.
🎧 Listen now for a masterclass on building a brand that’s both human and durable.
Our Guest:
 Lew Frankfort is the former CEO of Coach and author of The Bag Man. Over more than three decades, he helped transform Coach into a global leader in accessible luxury by blending craftsmanship, customer insight, and disciplined brand strategy—setting a blueprint for how heritage brands can scale without losing their soul.
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. 

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
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What happens when a Birkin is treated as an asset instead of a trophy? In this episode, Dana Auslander, founder of Luxus, breaks down how she built a private investment fund around Hermès quota bags—where discipline, data, and liquidity drive returns, not hype. Drawing on her background in law and finance, Dana explains why diversification can outperform a single headline purchase, how institutional-grade sourcing and third-party authentication make handbags investable, and why exit strategy matters more than chasing rare exotics. She also challenges viral myths about Birkin appreciation, shares what actually sells (size and neutral colorways), and makes the case for why Hermès is the only handbag brand that meets an investment standard.
Key Takeaways:
• Discipline over hype — Data, diversification, and timing matter more than rarity.
 • Liquidity creates returns — Exit channels define success more than acquisition.
 • Hermès is singular — Quota bags are uniquely positioned as investment-grade assets.
🎧 Listen now for a clear-eyed look at luxury handbags as a serious alternative asset class.
Our Guest:
 Dana Auslander is the founder of Luxus, a private asset fund focused on Hermès quota bags. With a background in law and finance, she built Luxus to bring structure, transparency, and rigor to handbag investing—treating iconic luxury not as fashion, but as a portfolio strategy.
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. 
Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
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Wholesale isn’t dead—it’s just evolving. In this episode, we unpack what’s actually working in handbags right now with Nancy Forman of Accessory Think Tank, from how specialty boutiques, focused DTC, and selective dropship can coexist, to the design details that truly move product. We dig into handles and straps that define comfort and versatility, intentional embellishment and personalization, smart material choices, and a disciplined approach to color. On the business side, we clarify when dropship helps (and when it hurts), why hometown boutiques still drive discovery and cash flow, and how to protect pricing while avoiding SKU bloat. If you want to design bags people reach for daily—and build a channel mix that scales without burning cash—this episode delivers a clear, usable blueprint.

✨ 3 Takeaways:
 • Wholesale still works—when paired with disciplined DTC and selective dropship
 • Design lives in the details: handles, straps, and personalization drive usability and desire
 • Test before you scale—materials, colors, and SKUs should earn their expansion
If this sharpened your strategy, follow the show, leave a quick review, and share it with a designer who’s navigating channel mix decisions right now.
👤 Our Guest:
 Nancy Foreman is the founder of Accessory Think Tank, a strategic consultancy focused on trend forecasting, product development, and go-to-market strategy for accessory brands. With decades of experience advising designers and retailers, she helps brands align creativity with commercial reality.
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. 

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

What if your content didn’t have to perform—just work? In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Hennessy to unpack how social media shifted from a scrapbook to a search engine, and what that means for founders building visibility without burning out.
We break down why clarity now beats consistency, how “real work” content outperforms polish, and why the smartest creators treat their feeds like living systems—not highlight reels. Brittany shares how to build momentum with limited time, what actually converts attention into trust, and how to use AI as a tool without losing your voice.
3 Takeaways:
 • Visibility beats virality — Consistent, clear signals outperform one-off hits.
 • Systems scale creativity — Batch once, reuse smartly, and let process replace pressure.
 • Boundaries build trust — Showing less, but with intention, creates stronger connection.
Our Guest:
 Brittany Hennessy is a social strategist and creator known for helping founders turn everyday moments into high-impact content. With a background in digital media and brand storytelling, she helps entrepreneurs build sustainable visibility—without chasing trends or burning out.
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. 

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner