Months ago Henri Bendel launched their Handbag Design Awards competition aimed at aspiring designers who were yearning for a chance to present their handbag at a high profile New York event and compete for one of six Awards for Handbag Design Excellence. The designers were not only competing for Design Excellence but instant international recognition, an opportunity for their handbag to go on a whirlwind press tour and other coveted prizes like screaming New York fashionistas and downtown hipster hussies fighting over their tote.

Tomorrow, June 18^th 2008, from 7-10pm at the New York Historical Society, the winners will be announced and will have their bags on display for the whole world on Fifth Avenue. Well, on display for New Yorkers at least.

The top prizes were…

Best Student Made Handbag

Best Handmade Handbag

Most Socially Responsible Handbag

Best Green Handbag

Audience-Selected Handbag*

Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design

Other cool prizes included an apprenticeship with Henri Bendal for the Best Student Made Handbag, a trunk show to promote their sack, a chance to showcase at WWDMAGIC Accessories Show in Las Vegas from August 25-27, 2008 and a spot on the hot online Buy, Borrow and Steal website that allows woman to trade jewelry and handbags.

If you are in New York tomorrow check out the event and report back on the designs, s’il vous pliat!

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Emily Fashion news, trends, faux pas
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