Is the Handbag Dead? Jay Choyce Tibbitts on What’s Next for Luxury | Emily Blumenthal & Jay Choyce Tibbitts

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons

Are handbags losing relevance—or are they simply evolving? In this episode, fashion creator and strategist Jay Choyce Tibbitts explores how changing lifestyles, rising luxury prices, resale, and Gen Z shopping habits are reshaping the handbag industry. We discuss why fewer people carry bags every day, how brands like Coach are thriving while others struggle, and why resale, boutiques, and curated retail experiences are becoming more important than ever. Jay also explains how AI and generative search are changing product discovery—and what independent designers need to know to stay visible.

Key Takeaways:

• The handbag isn't disappearing—it's evolving — Changing lifestyles are redefining how and why people carry bags.

• Culture drives demand — Brands that connect with today's shoppers will outperform those relying on heritage alone.

• Discovery is changing — Resale, boutiques, AI, and curated experiences are becoming the new path to finding great brands.

🎧 Listen now for a fresh look at where the handbag industry is headed—and how designers can stay ahead of the next shift.

Our Guest:

Jay Choyce Tibbitts is a fashion creator, luxury strategist, and industry commentator known for his sharp insights into handbags, retail, and consumer behavior. Through content, trend analysis, and brand strategy, he helps decode how culture, technology, and luxury are shaping the future of fashion.

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.

Support the show

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda  | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner  

TikTok: / Handbagdesigner  | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner   



Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
More description

Are handbags losing relevance—or are they simply evolving? In this episode, fashion creator and strategist Jay Choyce Tibbitts explores how changing lifestyles, rising luxury prices, resale, and Gen Z shopping habits are reshaping the handbag industry. We discuss why fewer people carry bags every day, how brands like Coach are thriving while others struggle, and why resale, boutiques, and curated retail experiences are becoming more important than ever. Jay also explains how AI and generative search are changing product discovery—and what independent designers need to know to stay visible.

Key Takeaways:

• The handbag isn't disappearing—it's evolving — Changing lifestyles are redefining how and why people carry bags.

• Culture drives demand — Brands that connect with today's shoppers will outperform those relying on heritage alone.

• Discovery is changing — Resale, boutiques, AI, and curated experiences are becoming the new path to finding great brands.

🎧 Listen now for a fresh look at where the handbag industry is headed—and how designers can stay ahead of the next shift.

Our Guest:

Jay Choyce Tibbitts is a fashion creator, luxury strategist, and industry commentator known for his sharp insights into handbags, retail, and consumer behavior. Through content, trend analysis, and brand strategy, he helps decode how culture, technology, and luxury are shaping the future of fashion.

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.

Support the show

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda  | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner  

TikTok: / Handbagdesigner  | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner   



Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2026-08-04 33 min
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