Congratulations to our 8 winners from the 2009 Independent Handbag Designer Awards who won Best in their respective category. And to the rest of our special finalists and the other 700 applicants, we want to thank you for your participation and look forward to seeing you next year.
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Winner of the Best Shoe in Overall Style and Design | | |
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Raphael Young: Raphael Young
Website: http://www.raphaelyoung.com
Bag Born: 2008
This is a design from my SS '09 collection, named after one of the most legendary samurais, "Satsuma". All the shoes from this collection bear samurai names as feudal japan was my inspiration. I wanted the shoes to be a feminine interpretation of traditional armors.
q: What is your design philosophy?:
a: Everything that I do, I do it to improve women's sexyness.
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q: What makes your shoes unique?:
a: Probably that they're hand-made by me, and that I do everything from stitch to finish! And apart from my design training, I also have a degree in physics and engineering that helps me create well-balanced shoes with perfect proportions.
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q: Do you change your styles and materials every season?:
a: Of course, but I do try to keep some hard-rock couture edge that has become my signature.
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q: What is your price-point range?:
a: $400-$1000
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q: Which stores currently stock your shoes?:
a: We currently have more than 20 selected stockists around the world, including H.Lorenzo in Los Angeles, Eva in New York and L'Eclaireur in Paris.
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Winner of the Best Student Made Handbag | | |
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Rachel Esswood: Rachel Esswood
Website: http://www.rachelesswood.com
Bag Born: 2009
All black, oversized, patent leather weekender. Features include plate and plugging detailing and black hardware. Fitted satin twill lining includes one large zip pocket with embossed brand logo and one flat french bound pocket.
q: How are your bags made? (e.g. sewn, knit, crocheted, etc.):
a: sewn, hand woven,
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q: What is the primary material used?:
a: textile fabrics
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q: Do you make all of your own bags?:
a: yes
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q: If not, please explain who helps you make your bags.:
a: all the bags are made by myself
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q: What is your design philosophy?:
a: bring to life new shapes and ideas
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a: 3RROR
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a: 3RROR
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a: 3RROR
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a: 3RROR
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Winner of the Best Green Handbag Bags that are made out of sustainable, recycled or organic materials | | |
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Andres Stickney: DRES
Website: http://www.dresdesign.com
Bag Born: 2009
Envirotech Recycled Tire Rubber Clutch with Re-Used Lion Head Drawer Pull. This new styles is 10 1/2" wide and 5 1/2" high. All hardware is re-used. 1/2" 100% hemp webbing is used inside to support the rubber and strengthen the stitching.
q: What is your bag made out of?:
a: Envirotech Recycled Tire Rubber Fabric, Re-Used Metal Hardware, and 100% Natural Color Hemp Webbing.
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q: What made you decide to create a "Green Bag"?:
a: I have been looking for a recycled rubber product and only recently discovered Envirotech on the internet. Their awesome invention inpired me to make this clutch.
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q: Where are you bags made? Are they made by hand or manufactured?:
a: I make all these clutches. The material is difficult to sew and work with. I hand finish each style.
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q: Where are bags sold?:
a: This style is brand new.
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q: What is your design philosophy?:
a: Less is more.
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Winner of the Most Socially Responsible Handbag Bags that meet certain ethical and moral standards in regards to production, employment and philanthropy and have impacted the local culture of the country of manufacturing | | |
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Cherry Kwunyeun: Blumpari
Website: http://www.blumpari.com
Bag Born: 2009
Handbags_By_Blumpari_Vanda_Clutch_Plum_Chok-NeedlePointSilk_Leather_235
q: What country are your bags manufactured?:
a: Thailand
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q: Please explain how your bags are socially responsible?:
a: Work and pay fair wages directly to handwoven textile artisans
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q: Why did you choose this country to have your bags made and what made you decided to give back?:
a: Did a Fulbright consulting on microfinanced handicraft women's movement in Thailand and I am Thai-American. I saw the power of the contribution women were making and did not want to see their crafts commoditized b/c they view themselves as low class farmers.
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q: How have your bags impacted this community?:
a: Connected artisan groups to corporate partner to be able to brand and scale. Also to view their traditional skills as having modern lifestyle relevance. Women view themselves as leaders of enterprise and have voice in the community decision making. This has also lead to brand extention and order from Ashoka Foundation and area university.
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q: What is your design philosophy?:
a: Global Classic Chic
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Winner of the Best Handmade Handbag Sewn, crocheted, knitted or any other material where the designer themselves is making their bag by hand or machine | | |
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Alexis Campagna: Antibellum
Website: http://in the works...
Bag Born: 2009
Antibellum, "Stewart" style, Crossbody, Black, Croc embossed cowhide
q: How are your bags made? (e.g. sewn, knit, crocheted, etc.):
a: sewn on sewing machine as well as by hand
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q: What is the primary material used?:
a: leather
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q: Do you make all of your own bags?:
a: yes
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q: If not, please explain who helps you make your bags.:
a: nobody
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q: What is your design philosophy?:
a: My philosophy is that quality should come first, even if a process takes longer, is more labor-intensive, or costs more. I know that my target customer, savvy as she is, will appreciate such extra measures. With quality, I also feel a handbag should have longevity, and it should be as relevant and eye-catching 10 years from now as it is today.
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Winner of the Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™- Swarovski Elements | | |
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Lorna Nixon: Lorna Nixon
Website: http://N/A
Bag Born: 2009
The image I am submitting is, of a sketch of my Crystallized bag. It was inspired by the shell crystal. It is a beautiful stone; but I felt it needed a Makeover!
I wanted to produce a structural bag; inspired by organic elements.
q: What is your design background?:
a: Studying fashion accessories design at London College of Fashion, and have also studied at Parsons Summer intensive in New York
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q: Have you worked with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements before?:
a: Yes
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q: Would this bag fit in with your current collection and why?:
a: Yes, I like producing and designing structural pieces in steely colors
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q: What are the price-points of your current line?:
a: N/A
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q: What is your design philosophy?:
a: To create show-stopping designs; appreciated and desired by all!
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Winner of the Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design Best executed handbag overall in style and design | | |
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alice tapajos: zibba
Website: http://under construction
Bag Born: 2005
zipper non anilina leather bag
q: What is your design philosophy?:
a: casual sophisticated design -high end bags-
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q: What are the retail price-points of your line?:
a: $500,00 to $2.000,00
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q: Do you change your silhouettes and materials every season?:
a: yes
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q: What other handbag designers have inspired you?:
a: marc jacobs,prada mulberry,burberry
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q: Which stores currently stock your handbags?:
a: daslu,ateen,dona coisa
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Winner of the Audience Fan Favorite Based on over 15,000 votes from Handbag Designer 101's readers based on the 35 finalists. | | |
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Adriana Castro: Adriana Castro
Website: http://adrianacastroonline.com
Bag Born: 2008
Caiman fuscus crocodile.
Interior open pocket.
Suede lining.
8”H x 16”W x 2”D.
Handmade in Colombia.
When buying the Adriana Castro Crocodile Modish Clutch, you are contributing to the repopulation program of the caiman species, under the supervision of the Colombian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). All products are part of a sustainable use program that benefit people and wildlife and contribute to breed another animal into the wildlife.
q: What is your design philosophy?:
a: One-of-a-kind, handmade artisan pieces, wearable works of art for the most discriminating, stylish women of any age. Bold colors and sensual textures give every piece in the Collection extraordinary character and personality. The Collection is meant to be mixed and matched; its versatility gives women the option to wear each piece with the finest Couture or the simplest of casual.
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q: What are the retail price-points of your line?:
a: Clutches: $700 - $1500 Day Bags: $1500 - $3000
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q: Do you change your silhouettes and materials every season?:
a: I am in love with exotics. For this reason, I am always working with these materials: crocodile, python, lizard and ostrich. I am always adding new silhouettes and recreating old ones that customers loved.
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q: What other handbag designers have inspired you?:
a: Carlos Falchi
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q: Which stores currently stock your handbags?:
a: Henri Bendel in New York, Addison Craig in Sarasota, Next Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Garderob in Moscow, Mayda Cisneros in Miami
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Click here to view all of the 2009 finalists
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