Everybody carries a bag, all kinds of bag. Affordable ones; expensive ones, big, small; seasonal, classic; new, vintage. If you think only women carry a bag, think again. What do you call the black thing that your boyfriend slings over his shoulder to carry his laptop? Laptop carrying case, of course, which is actually a laptop "bag."
Children always carry their books and learning essentials in backpacks with Disney characters on them. Shoppers have those cute shopping totes with their favorite stores' logos on them. Now cell phones have their own cases as well. Oh, iPods, too.
Of course, the two basic skills that you need to have as a handbag designer are definitely design skills and business skills. While the former sounds more important than the latter, it’s actually the other way around. Design skills only comprise of 20% of a designer’s success, while the determining factors are actually the business skills (80%). If you have a slightly above-average design for your handbag, but with strong business skills, it can be a big hit.
Authenticity is key. Of course, you don't need to invent the wheel, just be original, innovative and unique with your designs. Now if you think you're not that creative to break into and succeed as a handbag designer, think again.
Unconvinced? Have you ever seen those backpacks, box purses made of recycled cigar boxes and plain leather handbags that sell like hot cakes, but they’re actually not so creative designwise? Those are “classic” designs, which usually sell very well but don’t require super-creativity.
Another advantage of being a handbag designer is that you don't need to worry about seasonal trends, unlike apparel designs that change every season. You still keep (or even carry it everyday to work) that Hermes handbag you bought two years ago, right?
It seems to have that timeless appeal and complement most outfits. Your designs can be like that too. You can choose to design bags that can be worn over and over again. From business point of you, it means you don't need to worry about producing new items before the old ones are sold out.
If the notion of designing, sewing, manufacturing and promoting your own handbag line sounds intimidating, there are "industry secret" forces to help you out:
Contract technical designers (they turn your ideas into technical patterns and prototypes)
Contract manufacturers (send them your design and measurements, they will manufacturer it for you)
Sales representatives and distributors (they help finding retailers to carry your products)
Fashion weeks and trade shows (they help you getting exposure to buyers and fellow designers)
Fashion publicists (these specialists can help you getting the media exposure needed in market penetration)
With those professionals helping you out all the way from inception to distribution, all you need is some creative juices and unique ideas that distinguish your designing style from the rest of the crowd.
As a handbag designer, you have the choice to design the following items using a variety of raw materials, such as leather, fabric, plastic, wood and their combinations:
Evening Bag
Leather Purse
Fabric Purse
Box Purse
Leather Wallet
Tote Bag
Cosmetics Bag
Sports Bag
Laptop Carrying Bag
Travel Bag
Backpack
Beach Bag
In a nutshell, if you have the drive to succeed and somewhat creative (no need to be "super creative"), you're very likely to succeed in this career. Of course, as a designer you need to continuously upgrading your skills and network with like-minded people, which can be really fun.
As it goes without saying, as a handbag designer, you can enjoy:
The privileges of being a part of the glamorous, exciting and highly lucrative fashion industry
Working closely with professionals that fuel the whole industry
Earning anywhere from $30,000+ to millions of dollars annually
Do you know?
Luxury goods produced $525 billion in sales in the United States last year
44% of women aged 13 and over bought a purse for themselves or for someone else
On average, women bought 3 handbags per year
On average, women own 6 handbags, younger women own fewer than 6 and older women own more
40% of women over 55 own 7 or more handbags, the highest ownership of all age segments
Amount spent for a handbag ranges from about $40 to $65
Women are reported spending $42, on average, for their most recent handbag and $54, on average, for the bag they carry most often
Upscale handbag buyers or those willing to spend $150 or more for a handbag, represent about one in ten of those women who purchased a handbag in the past year
Coach makes about $1.4 billion in sales a year
Vuitton is responsible for 25% of LVMH's $13.5 billion revenues
Authors : Jennie S. Bev & Vicki Zolenski
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