O Indie Designers, Where Art Thou?

By admin on May 16, 2010 in Handbag News

I’m not an expert on merchandising or anything like that, but given my obsessive online window shopping habits, I think I’m noticing a trend enough to state here and not be too embarrassed by it (you are, of course, more than welcome to correct or educate me as needed :) . While looking for new inspirations or objects or obsession, I’m finding it more and more difficult to locate indie handbag labels on shopping sites. Even at places like ShopBop or FunkyLala, where they used to carry a ton of great, lesser known designers like Juliana Jabour, Orla Kiely, Martine Sitbon, GS Lillian (who stopped making bags and is solely focused on jewelry) and Elisa Atheniense it’s becoming a challenge to find new faces.

Am I looking at the wrong places or am I seeing the effects of this economy on indie handbag designers? No longer is there room to take a chance on smaller labels, and such void has been filled with bags from Rebecca Minkoff, Gryson, Foley + Corinna, and Botkier, all of whom were – and to a certain extent, still are – indie designers but have become mainstream enough to make the cut. I guess I would do the same thing if I were a buyer, with only a limited budget and decreasing sales figures. The disappearing act continues with some of the beloved online and brick and mortar shops, as well as designers, closing their doors in the past couple of years, including JC Madison, Active Endeavors, Goldenbleu, and The Purse Store (which is now a part of Luna Boston).

There are, of course, resources consumers like myself can still turn to when in search of new talent, such as Etsy, ShopFlick (thanks to my friend Ahmad for introducing me), and Handbag Designers 101. But how are these designers doing? Are they finding it even more difficult to get picked up? I’m certainly having a harder time finding them, and calling for a search party. If you are a buyer or designer, or simply love bags like I do and have further insights, please leave me a comment!

Source: The Baggage Claim

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2 Comment(s)

  1. Hi,
    I can speak for myself and a few other indie designers I know in Australia. By staying away from the major shopping spots and not chasing an overnight success we give our customers an experience that cannot be rivalled. Discovery. Nothing is better for a fashion lover than a true discovery. A label can sustain itself fine on a small scale and it makes it all the more fun for the customer that way. Keep searching, there are plenty of us out there with our own comprehensive websites. you wont be spending your money on advertising and marketing, just on a beautiful original bag, wallet, or belt!

    te. | May 16, 2010 | Reply

  2. Hi! Love your blog. There’s a lot of resources for indie handbag as well as fashion lovers– if you know where to look. New York definitely supports a lot of these designers… One other indie bag designer I am loving at the moment is Belen Echandia. Haven’t seen the bag in person yet, though! Indie designers are definitely one of my passions, so do keep me updated if you find anything new! It’s a brave new world out there. :)

    Dream Sequins | May 16, 2010 | Reply

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