- Handbag Designer 101

The 2010 IHDA Winners

View pictures from the 2010 IHDA

Presenting the Winners of the 2010 Independent Handbag Designer Awards

Congratulations to our 8 winners from the 2010 Independent Handbag Designer Awards who won Best in their respective category. And to the rest of our special finalists and the other 900 applicants, we want to thank you for your participation and look forward to seeing you next year. Stay tuned to view the winning handbags that will be featured in the September issue of InStyle, on sale August 20, 2010.

Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design
Best executed handbag overall in style and design.

Winner will receive a booth at WWDMAGIC American Express OPEN Forum, www.openforum.com, the opportunity to develop a capsule collection for Saks Fifth Avenue and the chance to design a limited-edition bag for kate spade new york.

Winner: Catherine Meyer: FOLLIS
Website: http://www.follisny.com
Year Started: 2002

FOLLIS "Laced Julia" Structured Handbag in Chocolate Brown Cow Hide, Suggested Retail Price: $372.50

What is your design philosophy?: FOLLIS, Latin for “leather bag,” combines the purity of high-quality, finely crafted basic leather bags with a sensibility of style. We aspired to create bags that can take a girl from day-to-night, West Coast-to-East Coast, and everything in between. Void of flashy embellishments and excess price, but full of function and aesthetically pleasing design, the bags simply make sense.

What are the retail price-points of your line?: Suggested Retail: $87.50 - $387.50

Do you change your silhouettes and materials every season?: We add new silhouettes and colors every season while carrying over best selling silhouettes.

What other handbag designers have inspired you?: Marc Jacobs for constantly producing innovative "must-have" products for his own lines and LV, and Rebecca Minkoff for how she has grown her business.

Which stores currently stock your handbags?: Coclico in New York, www.4sisters1closet.com, Liana Boutique in NYC. Verve (NYC) will be carrying several styles from the Fall Collection.

Audience Fan Favorite
Based on votes cast on InStyle.com

Winner will receive a feature on InStyle.com and will be announced the night of the awards.

Winner: Veronica Suarez: EXEX HANDBAGS by Veronica S.
Website: http://exexhandbags.blogspot.com
Year Started: 2009

EXEX HANDBAGS BY VERONICA S: TAUPE EMBOSSED CALYPSO CLUTCH

School of Attendance: (Please preface if this is a high school or college/university.): UCLA

Is this a Fashion Design School?: College

What is your major?: Business Studies

What other handbag designers have inspired you?: Derek Lam, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga

What is your design philosophy?: I believe in design that is manifested by my dreams, combining elements of nature, culture, and diversity into an exclusive, one of a kind accessories.

Best Handmade Handbag
Handmade, machine sewn, crocheted or knitted.

Winner will receive a designer feature on Singer Sewing Company’s and Coats and Clark websites (www.singerco.com and www.coatsandclark.com respectively), and is awarded the opportunity to create a downloadable pattern for the ultimate craft audience. Winner also receives a new SINGER CURVY™ sewing machine.

Winner: Briana Smith: B.THALLE
Website: http://www.bthalle.com
Year Started: 2009

Handmade in Studio in London using innovative material created by designer which incorporates the craft of hand knitting. Hair on Pony leather & Calf skin leather. Bespoke fittings. £2,300

How are your bags made? (e.g. sewn, knit, crocheted, etc.): By hand in London leather studio. Incorporating a custom made material that utilizes the craft of hand knitting...

What is the primary material used?: Hand knitted hair on pony leather.

Do you make all of your own bags?: Yes. I work with another leather artisan to meet deadlines & ensure top quality professional products.

If not, please explain who helps you make your bags.: One other leather artisan.

What is your design philosophy?: Quality, Craftsmanship, Creativity & Innovation are the cornerstones of everything I design.

Best Green Handbag
Made from sustainable, recycled or organic materials.

Winner will receive the chance to collaborate with Timberland to develop a product for sale in its stores.

Winner: Andrew Krumholz: Escama Studio
Website: http://www.escamastudio.com
Year Started: 2004

Leda cut-out clutch by Escama Studio, hand crocheted with recycled aluminum pop tops.

What is your bag made out of?: Post consumer recycled aluminum pop tops

What made you decide to create a "Green Bag"?: I became hypontized by crochet with metal

Where are you bags made? Are they made by hand or manufactured?: Made in Brazil. Hand crocheted by fair trade artist cooperatives

Where are bags sold?: www.escamastudio.com and museums around the world including MoMA, FIDM LA, Royal Academy of Art London

What is your design philosophy?: To blend traditional handwork with modern design -- while improving the lives of the women who make our bags.

Most Socially Responsible Handbag
Meets certain ethical and moral standards in regard to production, employment and philanthropy while impacting the local culture.

Winner will receive the opportunity to have their bags featured on WorldofGood by eBay, gaining exposure on a worldwide platform.

Winner: dalia pascal: dalia pascal
Website: http://www.daliapascal.com
Year Started: 2004

Dalia Pascal Clutch Recycled Indian Dress, $200

What country are your bags manufactured?: Mexico

Please explain how your bags are socially responsible?: This textiles are made by the Mayan Indians for their own use. After they wear them, we recycle them to make a beautifully crafted handbag.

Why did you choose this country to have your bags made and what made you decided to give back?: I was born in Uruguay, but arrived to Mexico as a teenager, Mexico adopted me as one of their own. I think it is time to give back and help the communities that need it.

How have your bags impacted this community?: We are working with groups of women who have been battered by their spouses. Now, they pick up the worn textiles so we can use them and they are making a living out of it.

What is your design philosophy?: I do not follow trends. I try to make my own while helping at the same time many poor communities that are not only losing their incomes, but also their handcratf traditions.

Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements
Bags must incorporate CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements in sketches submitted and made with creativity and craftsmanship.

Winner will receive a design sponsorship that includes free access to crystals and Swarovski know-how. The winner’s bag will be produced as a limited edition and will be given industry and consumer exposure in the U.S and internationally via several CRYSTALLIZED™ channels and communication tools

Winner: Aimee Kestenberg: Tammi Tales
Year Started: 2010

Designer: Aimee Kestenberg of Parsons The New School for Design Title: Tammi Tales - Couture Crystallized Evening Bag Description: Inspired by Australia waters and the Blue Ring Octopus. Material selection includes, Cafe Creme Lambskin, Vencian Blue Suede, Plum Red Italian Suede combined with customized gold plated hardware for the closure, tentacles and strap detail. Embedded with a mixture of shades of topaz and blue, round stone elements of Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED. Retail: $2,200

What is your design background?: Couture Accessory Designer

Have you worked with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements before?: In jewelry, but no in leathergoods.

Would this bag fit in with your current collection and why?: Yes, My collections always focus on maximizing creativity as well as capturing elements of my personality. This bag is a great representation of my passion for wild design.

What are the price-points of your current line?: $950- $6500

What is your design philosophy?: Love what you do, and do what you love!

Most Innovative Handbag Inspired by mark.
Most Innovative Handbag Inspired by mark.

Winner will receive a designer feature on meetmark.com highlighting their journey as an entrepreneur, in addition to having their bag recreated for sale on a global marketing platform with mark.

Winner: Michelle Vale: Michelle Vale
Website: http://www.michellevale.com
Year Started: 2006

Michelle Vale Entrechat 3 in 1 Convertible Bag in Washed Grey Leather with our patent pending removable hardware. Recently featured Vogue's Most Wanted.

What is your design philosophy?: Harmonious Luxury

What makes your handbags innovative?: Our patent pending custom removable hardware, which also allows our bags to be convertible.

How were you inspired by mark. by Avon?: They support companies that are innovative and are working to support designers that are striving to be innovative.

What is your price-point range?: $900

What else has influenced your design?: New York City

Have you ever purchased a mark. product and if so, when and what was it?: No, I have not.

Best Student Made Handbag
Designed by students who started their lines while still in school.

Winner will receive a prestigious apprenticeship with Carlos Falchi.

Winner: SI KIM: Morpholision
Website: http://www.arts.ac.uk/showtime/sikim
Year Started: 2010

My collection was inspired by the different shapes present in nature, like for example the swirling shape of a seashell with its intricate pattern and texture. Or the fine detail in the eye of an insect, or the pattern left by the wind on the desert sand. All these things we see, but not necessarily pay any attention to the continuity and the flow of these patterns. And then the stark contrast between that and the hard lines and angles in geometry and man made structures. My collection is influenced by contemporary art, but also by some traditional art forms such as origami.

School of Attendance: (Please preface if this is a high school or college/university.): London College of Fashion

Is this a Fashion Design School?: Yes

What is your major?: MA Fashion Artefact

What other handbag designers have inspired you?: Alexander McQueen

What is your design philosophy?: COUTURE = Art + Contemporary + Fashion