NEW YORK, June 19, 2008
Budding Star Handbag Designers?
Top Independent Handbag Designers Of The Year Named
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Play CBS Video Video Award-Winning Indie Handbags Independent Handbag Designer Awards founder Emily Blumenthal shows Maggie Rodriguez the hottest new indie bags.
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Emily Blumenthal, left, with Maggie Rodriguez and some of the notice-worthy handbags, on The Early Show Thursday (CBS/EARLY SHOW)
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Special Report Beauty and Fashion Tips Get expert advice and the latest on trends, to help you look your best
And we may have learned of handbag household names of the future Wednesday night when the latest Independent Handbag Designer Awards were handed out in Manhattan.
Twenty-five finalists were chosen, and their designs are in the window at the famous Henri Bendel's on Fifth Avenue.
But only five were called the best.
And Early Show viewers got a look at them Thursday when Emily Blumenthal, founder of The Independent Handbag, stopped by.
The categories: Best Student-Made Handbag, Best Handmade Handbag, Best Green Handbag, Most Socially Responsible Handbag, Best Handbag Overall.
You never know -- perhaps one or more will become classics!
Blumenthal is herself an independent designer. She made it big after her "Yasmena" bag was featured in the fourth season of "Sex and the City." She wore her bag to the Early Show set.
For complete details on all the winners, and photos, click here
WINNERS AT A GLANCE:
Lui Antinous: Lui Antinous, www.luiantinous.com
Designer makes bag him or herself, by hand or machine
Darren Wallace
Students who have successfully started their lines while still in school
Clara Yoo
Bags that meet certain ethical and moral standards with respect to production, employment and philanthropy, and have impacted the local culture of the country of manufacture
Bridget Reid: PFYH, www.pfyhalpaca.com
Bags made FROM sustainable, recycled or organic materials
Helen Marcoschamer: Ecoist www.ecoist.com
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