All the Winners from the Independent Handbag Designer Awards

Photo: Kevin Sweeney/Courtesy of Independent Handbag Designer Awards

Last night, the 7th Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards, founded Handbag Designer 101’s Emily Blumenthal, took place in New York. The international competition, originally founded to discover and spotlight independent designers, awarded six winners (from over 1,000 submissions) in categories including “Best in Overall Style and Design,” “Audience Fan Favorite,” “The Best Student Made Handbag,” “The Best Handmade Bag,” “The Best Green Bag,” and “The Most Socially Responsible Bag.” The bags will make their glossy debut in the September issue of InStyle magazine and each category winner received perks, like selling their bag with Timberland, embarking on an apprenticeship with Charming Charlie, and collaborating with Rafé Totengco. Click through the slideshow for a first look at the winners, and spot the bag you’d like to embellish your arm with this summer.