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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TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

In an era dominated by DTC, what role do trade shows still play in building a fashion brand?

In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, we sit down with Matthew Mathiasen, Show Director of NY Now, to unpack why wholesale isn’t just relevant—it’s essential for emerging accessory brands looking for long-term growth, especially now with The “It Bag x NY NOW” new program.

With over 100 years of history, NY Now has evolved from a traditional gift show to a curated marketplace where boutiques and innovative designers connect. Matthew explains how specialty retailers are becoming brand champions, helping independent designers break into new regions, build community, and create consistent cash flow—with fewer strings than big-box retail.

💼 You’ll learn:
👜 Why boutiques offer better margins, faster payments, and stronger loyalty
🛒 How NY Now’s “The It Bag” section helps handbag designers showcase their hero products
📦 How to prep for a trade show like a pro—from booth setup to buyer pitches
🔁 The hybrid wholesale model: in-person connection + online ordering via Bulletin
📣 Why knowing your brand story and supply chain readiness is key to wholesale success

Whether you're a first-time exhibitor or scaling up your sales channels, this episode offers the clarity and tactical advice you need to navigate today’s wholesale landscape.

🎧 Listen now and discover how to grow your brand through smarter retail relationships, and apply to be part of “The IT Bag x NY NOW.”

Our Guest: Matthew Mathiasson is the Show Director of NY Now, America’s longest-running gift and lifestyle trade show. With decades of experience in the wholesale space, he champions independent designers and works to create meaningful connections between brands and retail buyers both in-person and online.

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 also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.

Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner

TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner

What does it really take to go from fashion fan to front-row reporter in today’s content-saturated world?

Michaela Mix Caccia Negrete—better known as Ms. Mix of The Fashion Mix—proves that bold moves and relentless hustle still open doors. After being rejected from nearly 70 NYFW shows, she didn’t turn around—she turned up. With a mic in hand and street-style savvy, she interviewed celebs like Addison Rae and carved out her space in fashion media one video at a time. 🎧 Listen now.

In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, Michaela gets candid about:
📱 Building a digital-first fashion media brand from the sidewalk up
🎥 How she covers mega-events like the Oscars with 30+ pieces of content in one night
👜 The biggest handbag trends right now—and what designers need to know
💡 Her hot take on whether celebrity or influencer endorsements matter more today
🗓️ Why an editorial calendar isn’t optional if you want to stay relevant

From TikTok virality to serious industry cred, Michaela offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how content, community, and consistency build influence in fashion today.

Our Guest: Michaela “Ms Mix” Caccia Negrete is the creator of The Fashion Mix, a digital fashion platform known for its fast-paced, insider-style content on TikTok, Instagram, and beyond. With a background in journalism and a self-made reporting style, Ms. Mix brings sharp insight, real-time trend analysis, and high-energy commentary to fashion lovers worldwide.

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 also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.

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 Adventures in Handbags”

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner

TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner