Winners of the 2009 Independent Handbag Designer Awards Now with Shoes

Raphael Young Rachel Esswood Photos courtesy of Handbagdesigner101.com More information about the designers and their winning projects can be found at: hbd101.com/awards/winners_2009 Click here to view all of the 2009 finalists

Handbag Designer 101, announced the winners of the third annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards which were held on June 17th, at the New York Historical Society. The award winners are:

The Independent Handbag Designer Awards provides an opportunity for handbag designers to break into the notoriously competitive accessory industry. Designers of the most creative handbags squared off against one another with 7 awards given for Handbag Design Excellence. The pressure was on and creativity took over as the contenders designed competing handbags for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show their work among their peers in New York City, the fashion capital of the world with over 400 members of the fashion industry, including press and retailers in attendance. To view the IHDA Winners at a glance, go to: www.hbd101.com/awards/winners_2009

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.

Handbag Designer 101 - the handbag designer resource, is a hotspot website 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; find out about the latest handbag shopping events and learn about jobs and services of the accessories industry and market. The brainchild of Yasmena and Yazzy Bag creator and handbag designer consultant, Emily Blumenthal, Handbag Designer 101 bridges the gap between designer handbag fan blogs and high-fashion websites.

"We were thrilled by the overwhelming response we received for the third year. After receiving 700 applicants and then narrowing it down to 35 finalists and at last to have these 8 amazing winners, it is clear that they represent the future of handbags and now shoes." says Blumenthal. "The consumer public is still very hungry for creativity and innovation especially in this market and being responsible for finding the next "IT" bag and shoe designer is something very exciting for us to own. We are looking forward to years to come to find the next global talent wherever he or she might be."