Idependent Handbag Awards Announces Finalists

I had the distinct pleasure of spending one lengthy birthday at the Paramount Hotel going through thousands of entries for this year’s Independent Handbag Design Awards. Thanks to the quirky judging company (Zandile Blay, Nicole Giordano, Jess Zaino, Grace Gold, Samia Grand, Sabina Ptacin, Emma Grady, Colin T. McDonald, Kathryn Finney and Lois Sakany) the … Continue reading »

WWD: Valextra, Holmes & Yang Collaborate

NEW YORK — Katie Holmes is adding another title to her fashion résumé: handbag designer. With the help of stylist and design partner Jeanne Yang, and in collaboration with Valextra, Holmes on Wednesday unveiled two handbag styles for the Valextra for Holmes & Yang collection. Yang and Holmes hosted a lunch for editors and socialites … Continue reading »

WWD: Judith Leiber’s Overture Into Lower Prices

Judith Leiber is extending its reach beyond Ladies Who Lunch to encompass girls who party, with the launch of Overture by Judith Leiber. The 15-piece line, produced with licensee Accessory Network Group, will be sold in luxury department stores and Judith Leiber boutiques beginning in the fall, and will be priced between $200 and $700. … Continue reading »

WWD: Accessory Network Buys Kooba

NEW YORK — Accessory Network Group has acquired the rights to the Kooba brand from private equity firm Swander Pace Capital. Kooba was bought by Swander Pace in 2007. The amount ANG paid was not disclosed. Abe Chehebar, chief executive officer of ANG, said the company was approached by Sage Group, an investment banking firm, … Continue reading »

WWD: Accessories Shows See Uptick in Traffic, Mood

NEW YORK — This month’s accessories trade shows — AccessoriesTheShow and Accessorie Circuit — exhibited strong signs of continued growth within the sector. “I think people seemed pretty optimistic, cautiously optimistic,” said Joseph Maio, owner of Adornments Fine Jewelry in Sag Harbor, N.Y., who attended both shows. “People weren’t afraid of pushing the envelope with … Continue reading »

WWD: Independent Handbag Awards Open for Submissions

GIVE THEM A TROPHY: The fifth annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards are open for business. The organization — started by Emily Blumenthal of Handbag Designer 101 (and the forthcoming book “The Handbag Bible”) — is fielding entrees on their Web site until April of this year. All independent accessories designers are eligible to enter. The … Continue reading »

WWD: Kate Spade Picks Bryce

KATE PICKS BRYCE: For the first time in the company’s 18-year history, Kate Spade will feature a celebrity in its advertisements, beginning this spring. The actor in question, Bryce Dallas Howard, also happens to be a brand devotee. “The Kate Spade offer came up and I kind of lost my mind. There’s something about that … Continue reading »

WWD: Nancy Gonzalez Launching Travel Collection

Nancy Gonzalez is expanding her exotic skin offerings for the fashionable jet-setter. Starting today, Gonzalez’s 11-piece, crocodile-skin travel line will launch exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman. Santiago Gonzalez, president of Nancy Gonzalez (and the designer’s son), said the line came out of practical needs. “Mother and I are always traveling, and it made no sense to … Continue reading »

wwd: rebecca minkoff and polyvore team-up

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WWD: Marcia Sherrill Handbags Span Price Points

Marcia Sherrill, co-founder of the luxury handbag firm Kleinberg Sherrill, is a survivor. After a divorce from her business partner and husband, William Kleinberg, in which she exited the company and struggled to restart her life, Sherrill is trying to build a pair of handbag lines — Sherrill Ltd. and Anabelle by Marcia Sherrill (named … Continue reading »