In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, we take a nostalgic stroll through handbag history with none other than Monica Botkier, the visionary behind the iconic Trigger Bag and founder of Botkier and Chosen Woven. From her early days sneaking into fashion shows as a rebellious NYC teen to navigating the fast-paced world of accessories, Monica shares her remarkable journey of hustle, heart, and handbags.

Before making her mark in fashion, Monica was an NYU student with a passion for photography and an eye for detail. Her leap from behind the camera to designing one of the most recognizable bags in early-2000s fashion is a story of timing, instinct, and pure creative drive. We explore the high highs and tough lessons learned—from celeb knock-off scandals to evolving with the demands of the digital age.

💼 You’ll learn:
👜 Why Monica’s Trigger Bag became a cult classic and how a signature design can define a brand
🔄 How to pivot and adapt in a constantly changing industry driven by social media and trends
💡 The power of leaning into your origin story and embracing both your creative and business sides
🔐 What it takes to protect your designs in a fast-paced, copycat-heavy fashion landscape
🧵 How Monica built Chosen Woven as a love letter to craftsmanship, storytelling, and reinvention

This candid conversation is packed with real talk, deep insights, and a whole lot of heart. Monica's journey is a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the art of creating with purpose.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Monica turned her NYC hustle into handbag history—and why staying true to your creative voice never goes out of style.

Our Guest: Monica Botkier is a designer, entrepreneur, and founder of both Botkier and her new brand, Chosen Woven. Her designs have been carried by celebrities, stocked in major retailers, and remain beloved staples in the handbag world. She continues to champion originality and craftsmanship in everything she creates.

Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily teaches entrepreneurship at FIT and is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of fashion talent.

Find Handbag Designer 101 merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.
📚 Buy Emily’s Books: Handbag Designer 101 & Savvy Suzanna’s Amazing Adventure

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