The insider’s guide to building a handbag brand.
Emily Blumenthal hosts the Handbag Designer 101 Podcast and teaches the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass — sharing what she’s learned as founder of the Independent Handbag Designer Awards.
Author, Podcast Host, Mentor & Awards Founder
Host, The HBD101 Podcast 👜 Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass 👜 The Handbag Awards 👜 Author of Savvy Suzanna
Handbag Designer 101
The stories behind the bags you love.
Candid conversations with handbag designers, brand founders and industry icons — how they started, what nearly broke them, and what it really takes to build a label.
THE PODCAST · HOSTED BY EMILY BLUMENTHAL
LISTEN · NEW EPISODES TUESDAYS
Latest episodes
Episode [NO.] · [LENGTH]
Chris Lucas, Second Sense
KARRICA
Episode [NO.] · [LENGTH]
Jeremy Carr, The Lazy Thrifter
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How AI Is Changing Luxury Handbag Resale with SecondSense
Why Your Samples—and Ego—Are Costing You Retail Deals
The Psychology Behind Why We Buy Handbags with the Lazy Thrifter
T H E S I G N A T U R E C O U R S E
Want to become a handbag designer — or grow the handbag brand you already have? The Masterclass is Emily’s complete roadmap, from first sketch to first sale.
FOR THE ASPIRING DESIGNER
FOR THE GROWING BRAND
You have the sketches and the drive. Learn how to turn them into a real collection.
You’re already selling. Learn what it takes to reach the next level.
What you'll learn in 10 modules
01: Handbag Entrepreneurship 101
02: Understanding Your Handbag Customer
03: Marketing, Merchandising & Competition
04: Designing Your Bags for Profit
05: How to Design Bags That Sell
06: Why You Should Iterate Your Bag, Again
07: Business Planning for Your Bag Brand
08: Handbag Resource & Strategy Guide
09: Creative Ways to Get Your Bag Noticed
10: Your How-To Make a Bag Guide
Work with Emily
Expert eyes on your collection, your stage, or your next big step.
01 — S P E A K I N G
Keynotes, panels & events
Bring an industry insider to your conference, school, or brand event.
02 — B A G R E V I E W
A one-on-one critique
Honest, expert feedback on your designs, materials, and market fit.
03 — W A T CH
Interviews & behind-the-scenes
Conversations with designers and industry leaders, on camera.
Handbag Designer 101 on Substack
Industry insight, designer spotlights, and advice, delivered to your inbox.
T H E S H O P
For designers of every age, and every stage
SHOP ALL →
Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass. Coming Soon!
Design Resource Book
Savvy Suzanna’s Amazing Adventures in Handbags
Children’s Book
Hoodies & Tees
Totes
Socks
Mugs
Design Resource Book
Sketch Books
Yazzy Mini-Bag Wallet - Wristlet
M E E T E M I L Y
“Every great handbag starts with a designer who refused to give up. My job is to help them get there faster.”
Handbag Industry Expert