The 10th Independent Handbag Designer Awards,

About the event

The Tenth Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards will be held Wednesday, June 15th at the School of Visual Arts Theatre in New York City. The brainchild of handbag designer turned curator, Emily Blumenthal, the “Handbag Awards” (thehandbagawards.com) provides emerging designers access to business and brand-bolstering prizes. Some of these up for grabs include a feature in the September issue of InStyle, an on-air sales opportunity with EVINE Live, and partnerships with Guess, Mary Kay®Cosmetics, Pantone, Trina Turk and more.

Now through April 23rd, designers from across the globe are invited to apply at http://thehandbagawards.com. 

This year the IHDA will honor celebrated designers, Monica Zwirner & Lucy Wallace Eustice, of MZ WALLACE with the 2016 Carlos Falchi IHDA ICONOCLAST Award, presented by Accessorie Circuit. 

Below is a list categories for the 2016 IHDA. Category information, requirements and prizes be viewed at http://thehandbagawards.com/year/2016/categories

The EVINE Live Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design – These bags represent the best-execution in complete style and design. The Winner will have the coveted opportunity to sell their bags on the exclusive shopping channel EVINE Live. Winner will also receive a booth at ENK's Accessorie Circuit, a mentorship with Hilldun and a brand consultancy with the Accessory Think Tank.

The Lug Life Best Student Made Handbag –These bags were all created while the students were pupils in their chosen educational programs. The Winner will receive a collaboration with famed contemporary brand, Lug.

The BERNINA Best Handmade Handbag – Made by hand, machine sewn, crocheted or knitted, the winner of this award will receive the BERNINA 560 sewing machine. In addition, he or she will have the prestigious opportunity to act as “Ambassador” via brand social channels and the Bernina’s We All Sew blog. The selected participant will have the wonderful opportunity to represent the 120+ year old company known for quality and Tradition. 

The Basic Adhesives Best Green Handbag – All bags submitted in this category are made of renewable, organic, or recycled materials. The Winner will have the opportunity to be a brand ambassador for the eco-industry top brand, Basic Adhesives and receive their branded eco-friendly glue and edge paint for 1000 bags.

The Most Socially Responsible Handbag – All entries in this category meet specific ethical and moral standards with regards to production, employment and philanthropy - all while impacting the local culture. The Winner will receive a collaboration with a major socially responsible brand.

The Trina Turk Best Resort Bag – These bags that match the aesthetic and lifestyle of the Trina Turk Brand. The Winner will garner the possibility to collaborate with the Trina Turk Handbag Design Team using the winning bag as inspiration.

All about the Logo by Guess Handbags – From sketch to actual bag, designers need to create a playful and imaginative way of embracing the personality of the Guess brand and logo Winner will garner the possibility to collaborate with the Guess Handbag Design Team using the winning bag as inspiration.

The MARY KAY® Carry with Confidence Bag – From sketch to bag, designers need to create the most versatile and stylish bag that leaves every woman feeling her best and ready for anything. The Winner will receive Mary Kay product and the amazing opportunity to collaborate with the brand.

The Pantone Wild Color Card Bag – These bags demonstrate the best use of color inspired by the colors of Pantone palette. Based on the 2016 IHDA Finalists and selected by the team at Pantone, this designer represents the best use of the Pantone palette Winner will receive a collaboration with Pantone.

InStyle.com Audience Fan Favorite – Fans can vote for their favorite design on InStyle.com once the Finalists have been announced in mid-May.

All winners will receive a yearlong membership to the Accessories Council and will be featured in the September issue of InStyle.

This year MZ WALLACE, will receive the 2016 Carlos Falchi IHDA ICONOCLAST Award, presented by Accessorie Circuit. MZ Wallace is a design company launched in 2000 by Monica Zwirner and Lucy Wallace Eustice, two native New Yorkers. From the beginning, their aim was to design distinctive accessories for women who lead dynamic lives. In 2007, the classic Bedford nylon was developed and launched– a coated nylon that’s lightweight, durable, water and stain resistant - establishing MZ Wallace as the go-to bag for the modern active woman. MZ Wallace accessories offer sophisticated style through seasonal colors, prints and shapes and functional luxury through their signature pockets, fabrications and attention to detail. Today Monica and Lucy remain true to their original philosophy believing that great design never goes out of style.

The IHDA Sponsors are InStyle, EVINE Live, Guess, Signal Brands, Trina Turk, BERNINA, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Basic Adhesives, Lug Life, Accessorie Circuit, Basic Adhesives, Pantone, The Accessories Council, Hilldun, The Fashion Class, The NPD Group, Garment Center Alliance, Save the Garment Center, Bottomless Closet, The Accessory Think Tank, The MANHATTAN Affinia Hotel, The TassenMuseum of Bags and Purses, Leather Suede Skins, Pantone, and M&J Trimming.

For complete information or to purchase tickets for the Independent Handbag Designer Awards, check out www.thehandbagawards.com.

ABOUT THE INDEPENDENT HANDBAG DESIGNER AWARDS: Founded in 2007, the Independent Handbag Designer Awards by Handbag Designer 101 was created to celebrate handbag design and creativity from the United States and around the world. Now in its tenth year, it is an industry staple and is the only international design competition to discover, recognize and create brand awareness for independent handbag designers.

Why should you sponsor?

Emily Blumenthal

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