Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards Choose Best in Green The Creation of Fashion

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Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards Choose Best in Green

Posted June 22nd, 2011 by Amy Windradyne No Comments »

Less than a month ago, we announced the finalists in 5th Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards (IHDA), hosted by Handbag Designer 101 and InStyle, in the green and socially responsible category, and now, we’re announcing the winners.

They’re given more than just an award to put on the mantel, they’re given a platform to launch their brand. In the green category, New York-based The Sway, for one, now has the opportunity to partner with Timberland. Read on:

As a member of the preliminary judging panel, I saw more than 1,000 independent handbag designs while judging and The Sway’s “Marlo” bag was among my favorites from the beginning. It is made with recycled leather scraps and recycled cotton linings and has not only a lot of intricate pieces of leather but a lot of character, too.

As the overall winner in the “Best Green Handbag” category, The Sway will have the opportunity to collaborate with the design team at Timberland on a limited edition Earthkeepers handbag and boot collection for women, set to come out in 2012. The Sway bags are available online at The Sway NYC, and in-store at Fred Segal, Kaight NYC, Searle, and International Playground.

Another favorite is the artisan-made crochet and aluminum soda pop bag by Neide Ambrosio Martins de Souza of Brazil. It was a winner in two categories, the “Most Socially Responsible Handbag” and the “Audience Fan Favorite.” As the winner, they will receive a marketing feature with Professional Sebastian and, along with all winners, a feature in the September issue of InStyle.

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