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

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 running their own business. Moia, originating from Jamaica, and Ashley, hailing from Milwaukee, found co...

10 Okt 202352min

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 products, and her grandmother's values of repurposing and sustainability. She also speaks about her educational jou...

3 Okt 202341min

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 understanding and strategic research. She unravels her insights on how brands can tap into consumer social re...

26 Sep 202335min

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 it yourself. That's exactly what Jada did, and now she's leaving her mark one handbag at a time. We promise, ...

19 Sep 202332min

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 shares how resilience, shaped by early loss, fueled his determination to pursue his dreams. Antoine's...

12 Sep 202344min

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, Tanner eventually found himself in Chicago, working as a cab driver after winning a green card lotte...

12 Sep 202343min

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 everything from infamous celeb knock-offs to fashion's dramatic shift in trends. Monica didn't always dream of be...

12 Sep 202357min