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Calling all handbag designers!

THE THIRD ANNUAL INDEPENDENT HANDBAG DESIGNER AWARDSHandbag Designer 101 Honors Excellence

New York, NY (February 6, 2009) - The Third Annual Independent Handbag Awards is now accepting designer submissions. The "Handbag Awards," now an industry staple, provides an opportunity for emerging and established independent designers to be recognized and stand out into the highly-saturated accessory market. This unique event remains the only of its kind internationally where the best of the best handbags and now shoes are highlighted and the designers compete for the once-in-a-career time opportunity to expose their work to the entire fashion industry in New York City, the fashion capital of the world. In addition, 2009 marks the addition of 2 new categories to the IHDA, Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED (™) - Swarovski Elements and Best Shoe in Overall Style and Design.

This year, the most innovative handbag and shoe designers will be squaring off against one another with awards to be given for Handbag Design Excellence, on June 17th at the landmark New York Historical Society. Over 500 members of the fashion industry, including press and retailers, are expected to attend The Third Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards event.

To register in the preliminary selection round, a single digital image upload is required. Applications will be accepted through www.handbagdesigner101.com and clicking on the "Handbag Awards" icon, until April 15, 2009. Finalists will be announced shortly after at Braccialini in Soho, New York.

The Categories include:
· Best Student-Made Handbag

· Best Handmade Handbag
· Most Socially Responsible Handbag

· Best Green Handbag
· Audience-Selected Handbag

· Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design
· Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED(™) - Swarovski Elements

· Best Shoe in Overall Style & Design

The staff of Handbag Designer 101 will review all entries and choose finalists in each category based on the merits of their submitted designs. A Judging Panel consisting of Famed Handbag Designer and 2007 IHDA Lifetime Achievement Recipient of 2007, Carlos Falchi, Lisa Smilor (Associate Director for the Council of Fashion Designers of America: CFDA), Stephan Toljan, (CCB VP Market Management of Swarovski), Katie Hoy (Trade Marketing Manager for Singer Sewing Company), Devi Kroell (Creative Director of Devi Kroell), Tina Aldatz (President of Foot Petals), Meghan Cleary (Miss Meghan: America's Shoe Expert) and Julia Poteat (Assistant Professor of Fashion Methods for Parsons The New School for Design) will decide who has the "Top Handbag and Shoe Design" and select a winner from each respective category.For the first time ever all applicants may participate by submitting a detailed sketch of their handbag design, incorporating CRYSTALLIZED(™) - Swarovski Elements by submitting a jpeg of 1 detailed original sketch of their handbag design, incorporating CRYSTALLIZED(™)- Swarovski Elements. Designers are encouraged create a handbag of any size, material or silhouette while utilizing the CRYSTALLIZED(™)- Swarovski Elements as embellishment, trimming or even as part of the core concept. The five best ideas will be chosen by the Handbag Designer 101 Preliminary Judging Panel, giving the selected designers unlimited free access to CRYSTALLIZED(™) - Swarovski Elements, to execute their final handbags. The winner of the 2009 "Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED(™) - Swarovski Elements" award will receive a crystal sponsorship with free access to crystals and Swarovski know how, to produce a limited edition of the winner bag. In addition, the winning handbag will be featured in several CRYSTALLIZED(™) - Swarovski Elements channels and communication tools in the US and internationally with industry and end consumer exposure.SINGER® Sewing Company will also sponsor the "Best Handmade Handbag Category" the 2009 Independent Handbag Designer Awards (IHDA). The winner of the 2009 Best Handmade Handbag will receive the new SINGER CURVY(™) sewing machine which eliminates the two biggest challenges and frustrations sewers have experienced during the past 157 years; threading the sewing machine and threading the bobbin. In addition, the winning handbag will be featured on the SINGER website where the winning designer will also share a handbag pattern from his/her collection.The Best Shoe in Overall Style and Design in which the Winner will be designing a capsule collection in collaboration with Foot Petals. "I'm so excited to be part of the first ever footwear awards. Foot Petals strives to work with new talent and emerging designers. Quality and innovation has always been the key to our success. We look forward to launching a line of shoes that incorporates both," says Tina Aldatz, President of Foot Petals.Famed designer, Devi Kroell will be part of Independent Handbag Designer Awards. Kroell will be hosting the winner of the Best Student Made category with a prestigious apprenticeship and a chance to work side-by-side with accomplished creative, herself.As always, the IHDA still proudly features the Most Socially Responsible Handbag where the winner will be recognized on a global platform for their work, Best Green Handbag where the winner garners a unique opportunity to develop a collaborative bag with a top Green brand and Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design. The Winner of the Best Overall Handbag and Shoe in Style and Design will have the chance to showcase their award-winning handbag collection with a free 10x10 booth (a $7,000 value) to over 120,000 fashion industry influentials at the WWDMAGIC Accessories Show in Las Vegas, August, 2009. The Audience Fan Favorite will be announced the night of the event. They will also have an opportunity to have their limited edition capsule collections sold exclusively at the IHDA Retail Sponsor.Celebrated British designer Lulu Guinness will receive the IHDA ICONOCLAST Award this year for her 20 years in accessories design. Lulu Guinness famous for her exquisite, witty handbags and accessories originally launched her company in 1989 and instantly became a "must" in every fashion aficionado's international address book. To celebrate the brand's 20th Anniversary Year, Lulu Guinness will be releasing a new limited collection of her legendary Rose Baskets, which will be on display at the night of the IHDA. Throughout the year, Lulu will be collaborating with famed and up & coming artists to produce limited edition specialty items to be sold at the Lulu Guinness stores worldwide."This award couldn't have come at a better time as I'm celebrating my 20th Anniversary this year; I'm thrilled to have been asked. I particularly appreciate the recognition from the other side of the Atlantic," says the prolific and whimsical designer. Lulu Guinness will also be honored by the British Consul General, Sir Alan Collins, who will be hosting a celebratory party in his home in New York City."Going into our third year, we are proud that the fashion and accessories community has acknowledged the IHDA as a venue where new talent is discovered." said Emily Blumenthal, founder and creator of Handbag Designer 101, from which the IHDA stem. Handbag Designer 101 . the handbag designer resource (www.handbagdesigner101.com), where handbag designers, aficionados and experts unite to find undiscovered handbags by independent designers; learn about the latest handbag trends; see the handbags that celebrities are wearing today; and even learn about accessory jobs and services. Boasting over 10,000 unique visitors daily, Handbag Designer 101 has developed a loyal following and reputation for discovering talent which can be demonstrated by the excitement for this year's Third Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards. "In today's current economic situation, innovation and newness are what is needed. The Handbag Awards has successfully created a platform which emerging handbag and now shoe designers, by popular demand, can be recognized and turn into become well-known brands."Additional sponsors include: The Fashion Business Improvement District: The Fashion Center, The Garment Industry Development Corporation, Parsons The New School of Design, Pantone, The Luxury Institute, The UK Trade and Investment, Braccialini, Ripe Ideas, Soho House NYC, Red Branch Public Relations, Collective-E, Miss Meghan, Rosangel of Gran Centenario, Wathne Limited, M&J Trimming, Leather Suede Skins, Rosen & Chadick Fabrics, RIRI Zippers/Pacific Trimmings, Verve NYC, EnSof Graphics and the Bottomless Closet.

For complete information check the website: www.handbagdesigner101.comHandbag Designer 101, www.handbagdesigner101.com, the handbag designer resource is where handbag designers, aficionados and experts unite. Find undiscovered handbags by independent designers; learn about the latest handbag trends; see the handbags that celebrities are wearing today; find out about the latest handbag shopping events; learn about the latest jobs and services offered in the accessories market and even blog about the latest "IT" handbag. With over 300,000 unique visitors and 2 million page views monthly, Handbag Designer 101 is a handbag medium that is an integral part of the accessories industry.About Handbag Designer 101Handbag Designer 101, the handbag designer resource was inspired by the needs for the handbag designer, aficionado and fan in all of us, as one knows we can never have too many bags. Handbag Designer 101 and Independent Handbag Designer Awards trademarks are owned by handbagdesigner101.com, a privately held company based in New York City.

To Apply to the 3rd Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/independent_handbag_designer_awards Today's HB101: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/designerBag Trends: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/trendsCelebrity Bag Watch: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/celebrityJobs and Services: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/jobsHandbag Designer 101: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com or http://www.hbd101.com

NY FASHION WEEK DIARY

My favorite show thus far? Has to be Adam Adam Lippes. All of the pieces were whimsical yet wearable...I LOVED the colors and the subtle details. I could foresee nearly every piece there on Hollywood starlets everywhere...fun, youthful and flirty...much like the front row, which contained 2 of the gals from MTV's "The City," as well as the beautiful Jennifer Love Hewitt, who I had a chance to chat with (and who commented that she liked my dress!)





While that was the highlight collection, the highlight show so far for me has been the BARBIE 50th anniversary show. Nearly every designer under the sun designed a frilly frock for the iconic doll and each one that waltzed down the runway was better than the next. Real-life Barbie's Heidi Klum and Kimora Lee Simmons graced the front row, as well as some of my favorite ladies from The Real Housewives of NYC. Much to my surprise, the designer's choices for Barbie weren't as pink and glittery as one would think - I loved Catherine Melandrano's "Americana" Barbie as well as Kenneth Cole's super cool leather clad Barbie and Ken duo.



On another note, the mood at this season's NY Fashion Week is much more subdued under the tents. The energy is still high as always (in part, fueled by a booth full of offerings from McDonald's new Couture Coffee line McCafe, which has been a hot-spot all weekend) but the absence of many regular designers who usually show but this season opted not to (like Carmen Marc and Vera Wang) is noticeable.

Speaking of McCafe, one of this year's major sponsors, they enlisted me for a day to do interviews with VIP's and other fashion week go-ers as they sampled the new designer coffee line. It was also a hit backstage at Duckie Browne, where we interviewed the menswear designers about the coffee and of course their new line (did you know that one-half of the designing duo actually worked at McDonalds when he was growing up in the UK?) The ever fabulous and "Top Model" winner Yoanna House, who was there on behalf of SONY VAIO, said it's what keeps her going as a new mom and fashion influencers and my friends, James Aguiar and Lauren Ezersky loved the java as well. It should certainly keep everyone wired for the long week ahead :)

One final note, thank you so much to the security staff at Bryant Park who took pity on a pregnant me and didn't make wait in line. My entire body thanks you :)

Does luxury even exist anymore??

Today's posting isn't about a cool new product, or a beauty or fashion tip. Today, I'd like to merely pontificate on the notion that in today's economy, it seems like the idea of "luxury" as we know it, is gone. I live and work in an affluent suburb of NYC. I work for a magazine that's considered a "luxury" publication. I run images of couture gowns upwards of $10,000 and $20,000 and tell people where to shop for them. But today, even an executive at that magazine, suggested that perhaps in today's times, we are going about this all wrong. That even those with disposable incomes, are cutting back. And by showcasing these items that seem to be more fantasy than reality for most, are we just throwing it in everyone's faces? Maybe the readers don't like looking at things they can't have. Or maybe they can have them but at this point in time, are choosing not to. I promised to try to keep "value" more in mind as opposed to extravagence, and hopefully that will eliminate the potential alienation of any of our readers. But, like anything else, it's hard to break the mold. Even though I've been writing about fashions for 4 years that I myself have never really been able to afford, maybe part of it is the "fantasy" that drew me to it. After all, fashion is all about fantasy anyway, isn't it? Maybe it's not always what's "attainable." I mean, how interesting would it be to write about those sweaters at The Gap? This spring, you likely won't see many women in fuchsia harem pants or 5-inch stiletto's. But that doesn't mean in our own little fantasy worlds, we aren't towering around Manhattan 5-inches above the rest of the world.

What does everyone else think? Is the idea of "luxury" as passe as the Bush Administration?

Cork: not just for wine anymore!

I received this press announcement today and had to share. We've seen cork pop up in unexpected places like shoes, but now the woodsy-material is being used to make these super cool handbags too!

The Trina Cork Collections range in price from $39-$89 and are available at Bergdorf Goodman and high-end boutiques nationwide.