Trade Shows, Future of Wholesale & How Handbags Changed Retail | Emily Blumenthal & Dorothy Belshaw

2026-10-04 · 40 min · 15 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

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

0.62

evidence rules-v5
author of Handbag Designer 101
→ hosted by Emily Blumenthal person

0.55

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Emily Blumenthal
→ discusses Business company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Business
→ discusses Entrepreneurship website

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Entrepreneurship
→ discusses Arts concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
→ discusses Design website

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Design
→ discusses Fashion & Beauty concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Fashion & Beauty
→ references betterhelp.com website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Trade Shows, Future of Wholesale & How Handbags Changed Retail | Emily Blumenthal & Dorothy Belshaw": https://betterhelp.com/

Entities found in this episode

websites 6

mentioned Entrepreneurship website

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Entrepreneurship
mentioned Design website

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Design
mentioned betterhelp.com website

0.45

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Trade Shows, Future of Wholesale & How Handbags Changed Retail | Emily Blumenthal & Dorothy Belshaw": https://betterhelp.com/
discusses Entrepreneurship website

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Entrepreneurship
discusses Design website

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Design
references betterhelp.com website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Trade Shows, Future of Wholesale & How Handbags Changed Retail | Emily Blumenthal & Dorothy Belshaw": https://betterhelp.com/

concepts 4

mentioned Arts concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
mentioned Fashion & Beauty concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Fashion & Beauty
discusses Arts concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
discusses Fashion & Beauty concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Fashion & Beauty

persons 2

mentioned Emily Blumenthal person

0.70

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Emily Blumenthal
hosted by Emily Blumenthal person

0.55

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Emily Blumenthal

companys 2

mentioned Business company

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Business
discusses Business company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Business

podcasts 1

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

0.62

evidence rules-v5
author of Handbag Designer 101

Episode description as stored

Handbags have evolved from everyday essentials into expressions of personal identity—and that shift is transforming the way retailers buy, merchandise, and discover brands. In this episode, Dorothy Belshaw, CEO and co-owner of NY NOW, shares how the wholesale landscape has changed, why trade shows remain essential in a digital world, and how independent designers can stand out with buyers. From the impact of the 2008 recession to post-pandemic consumer behavior, Dorothy explains why human connection, curated experiences, and genuine product innovation continue to drive retail success. Key Takeaways: • Wholesale is evolving, not disappearing — Trade shows and in-person relationships still drive discovery and lasting retail partnerships. • Handbags have become lifestyle purchases — Today's consumers buy bags as personal expressions, creating new opportunities in the gift and specialty retail markets. • Curation wins attention — Focused concepts and fresh merchandising help independent brands stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. 🎧 Listen now for an insider's look at where retail is headed—and how handbag designers can build stronger wholesale businesses. Our Guest: Dorothy Belshaw is the CEO and co-owner of NY NOW, one of the leading wholesale trade shows for gift, lifestyle, and accessories brands. With decades of experience connecting buyers and makers, she has helped shape the evolution of modern retail while championing emerging designers and innovative merchandising concepts. 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy