Release Date:
LOCAL WOMAN NAMED INTERATIONAL DESIGNER FINALIST
Over 600 applications were received from around the world ranging with diverse backgrounds from
“Each finalist shares a common passion, commitment and creativity to make a unique handbag while being role-models for entrepreneurship and small business,” says Emily Blumenthal, founder of Handbag Designer 101 and the Independent Handbag Designer Awards.
Among five different categories, Penwell’s design was selected for “Best Green Handbag” meaning her handbag was made out of sustainable, recycled or organic materials. Her submission was for her bag “Summertime”, featuring a collection of white wrist watches on the face of a white leather and straw clutch.
Penwell began creating handbag art in 2005. With a background in finance and art, and a sense of humor, she launched her “intelligent fashion” line in 2006 with the theme of ‘fashion re-fashioned’. She named her endeavor “Dressed Up Cat”. Utilizing existing high quality handbags, she adds unique embellishments to each bag and gives it a name. The individual histories of the bags, jewelry and other embellishments of the recycled materials are their cache’. Each bag is one of a kind and they are not mass produced.
“Handbags are a avenue for self expression,” Penwell said. With the current enthusiasm for recycling and greening, Penwell’s bags also fit perfectly into the save the environment groundswell. As Penwell said, “I don’t know the ‘carbon footprint’ to produce a new leather handbag – usually in the Orient – and transport it to a U.S. retailer, but when you buy a Dressed Up Cat handbag instead, you contribute that amount to saving your planet!”
Penwell will be in
Proceeds from the event will be donated to Bottomless Closet, an organization which helps women transition from public assistance to economic self-sufficiency.
Dressed Up Cat handbags are available at Rima Fine Art in
7077 E. Main St. or on the web at www.dressedupcat.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Rita Sanders 480-967-8714 rita@ritasanders.com
News
For Immediate Release
Emily Blumenthal
HandbagDesigner 101
(866) 206-9067 emily@handbagdesigner101.com
FINALISTS SELECTED FOR THE INDEPENDENT HANDBAG DESIGNER AWARDS™
--Handbag Designer 101 Honors Excellence at the Second Annual “Handbag Awards”--
NEW YORK, NY, April 30, 2008 – Handbag Designer 101, the handbag
designer resource, announces today the long awaited results of the finalists for the
Independent Handbag Designer Awards. Over 600 applications were received
from around the world ranging with diverse backgrounds from
design competition of its kind in the world for handbag designers to receive credibility
and recognition to stand out in today’s competitive accessory market. The winners
will be announced on June 18th at the IHDA event at the New York Historical Society.
Finalists compete for a variety of prizes such as an apprenticeship with Henri Bendel’s
handbag accessory design team for the Best Student Made Handbag; an opportunity
to have their bags on Bag Borrow or Steal for the Audience Fan-Favorite, to design an
original 360 Vodka eco-luxury handbag for the Best Green Handbag; a feature in
Taunton Press’ CraftStylish.com and a brand new Singer Curvy 8763 sewing machine
for the Best Handmade Handbag; a chartable donation to their cause for the Most
Socially Responsible Handbag, their bag featured on ABC’s All My Children and a
free booth at WWDMAGIC Accessories Show in Las Vegas (worth over $7000)
for the Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design as well as other press-related
accolades, a trunk show and being part of a trunk show and window display at
Henri Bendel in addition to being named the best in their respective category.
“These 25 designers whether they are established or emerging, share a common
passion, commitment and creativity to make a unique handbag while being
role-models for entrepreneurship and small business,” says Emily Blumenthal,
founder of Handbag Designer 101 and the Independent Handbag Designer
wards. “Each designer is well deserved in their recognition for in each
category of Best Student-Made Handbag, Best Handmade Handbag,
Most-Socially Responsible Handbag Best Green Handbag, and Best Handbag
in Overall Style and Design.”
These 25 finalists were chosen by a preliminary judging panel of Handbag Designer
101. The winners of each category will be selected by a prestigious group of individuals.
They are Ann Watson (Fashion Director at Henri Bendel), Lisa Smilor (Associate
Director for the Council of Fashion Designers of America), Dani Stahl (Style Director
of Nylon Magazine), Dana Palzkill (Senior Vice President of Product Management
for Bag, Borrow or Steal), Rebecca Weinberg (Emmy Award Winning costume
designer and stylist), David Zyla (3-Time Daytime Emmy Nominated Costume
Designer for ABC Inc./All My Children) and Julia Poteat (Assistant Professor
of Fashion Methods for Parsons The New School for Design) will decide who has
created the "Top Handbag Design" and select a winner from each respective category.
These finalists, whose bags all must be made under their own label, representing a wide
range of styles and designs, in each category are:
Best Student Made Handbag – The finalist’s bags are students who have successfully
started their lines while still in school. This award will be presented by Ann Watson,
Fashion Director at Henri Bendel.
- Rebecca Allen, Rebecca, AI
- Dana Van Daele, Grey Sunshine, The Fashion
- Clara Yoo, C L A R A Y O O, Parsons The New School for Design,
- Lina Motoki, Lina Motoki, Parsons The New School for Design,
Best Handmade Handbag – The finalist’s bags must be sewn, crocheted, knitted or any
other material where the designer themselves is making their bag by hand or machine. This
award will be presented by Debbie Stoller, Author of the Stitch ‘N Bitch Series and Founder
of Bust Magazine.
- Renee Parrill, Flamestitch
- Dawn Kelly, Dawn Kelly
-
- Shara N. Brown, Accessory Niche
- Darren Wallace, Darren Wallace
Best Green Handbag – The finalist’s bags that are made out of sustainable, recycled or
organic materials. This award will be presented by Allyn Feldman of McCormick
Distilling’s 360 Vodka.
- Evelina, Vegan Queen – Eco Luxury
- Tracy Penwell, Dressed Up Cat Fashion Re-fashioned
- Jonathan Marcoschamer, Ecoist
- Suzanna Scarola, Bellabags
- Nazly Villamizar, NAZLY VILLMIZAR
Most Socially Responsible Handbag – The finalist’s bags meet certain ethical and
moral standards in regards to production, employment and philanthropy and have
impacted the local culture of the country of manufacturing. This award will be presented
by Kendall Farrell, Executive Director of the Bottomless Closet.
- Christiane Valdez, La Chica Chic, Made in
- Nyasha Manyonda, Afrobag, Made in
- Qy: Caroline Swarbrick and Marie De Ryck, Hatti Trading, Made in
- Jamila Hubbard, Mad Imports, Made in
- Bridget Reid, PFYH, Made in
Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design – This category represents the best
executed handbag in overall style and design and will be presented by IHDA,
Jana Hanci, CEO of LaunchBags.
- Julie Lazarus, Elezar
- Wendy Lau, Edidi
- Diego Rocha, Diego Rocha,
- Georgia
- Lui Antinous, Lui Antinous
The final category to be celebrated is “Audience-Selected Handbag” where fans can
vote for their favorite independent handbag designer based on the 20 finalists on Handbag
Designer 101 and Bag Borrow or Steal. This award will be presented by BBoS’ Chief
Marketing Officer, Jodi Watson. This designer that received the most votes will be
announced the night of June 18th at the IDHA event with the other category winners.
These aforementioned category finalists’ work can be seen at http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/awards/finalists_2008.
Legendary handbag brand LEIBER will receive the IHDA ICONOCLAST Award.
For 45 years, LEIBER has been a leader in luxury accessory design. Currently, LEIBER
has broadened its customer base by evolving the product to meet the needs of a younger
customer while remaining true to its heritage. LEIBER has stood the test of time and
continues to earn international acclaim with their innovative handbags and accessories,
and most recently selected as "Most Prestigious Handbag" by the Luxury Institute's
Luxury Brand Status Index and will be presented by its CEO, Milton Pedraza.
The main underwriting sponsor of the IHDA is LaunchBags, the one-stop shop for all
things handbag. From inception to sale, their services support, emerging and established
talent in the accessories industry. Additional sponsors include: Women’s Wear Daily,
The Luxury Institute, WWDMAGIC, Bag Borrow or Steal, Henri Bendel, The Fashion
Business Improvement District: The Fashion Center, Commerce Bank, Rosenthal &
Rosenthal Inc., The Garment Industry Development Corporation, Parsons The New
School of Design, Wathne Limited, M&J Trimming, TUKATECH, Leather Suede Skins,
Rosen & Chadick Fabrics, RIRI Zippers/Pacific Trimmings, Verve NYC, Digital Plus,
Clothing Labels 4U.com, 360 Vodka, Glaceau, POM Wonderful, Casa de Vinos and
the Bottomless Closet.
For complete information or to purchase tickets for the Independent Handbag
Designer Awards, check out www.handbagdesigner101.com or www.hbd101.com.
Handbag Designer 101, the handbag designer resource, was inspired by the need
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
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Jobs & Services: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/jobs
The Independent Handbag Designer Awards: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/handbags?m=awards
IHDA Ticket Purchase:
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Contact: http://www.handbagdesigner101.com, http://www.hbd101.com,
1-866-206-9067 x2342
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