I have designed a specialty handbag & tote & I'm looking for a USA
handbag manufacturer to sew the bags.  (Preferably in GA, but at this
point anywhere in USA will be fine.)  I will have 2-4 basic styles of
the bag, but each bag will need to be made using my customer's own
material.  I will supply the material in each case (to the
manufacturer), but not the trimmings & hardware.  I have no idea how
handbag manufacturing works.
 I've spent 3 days on internet trying to find a manufacturing source
in USA.  I need leads, please help!  We will take orders for the bags
individually through home shows and high-end retail outlets. The bags
will be high-end designer-style handbags & totes (2-4 styles to choose
from).  Two styles will be made primarily of satin with other trim and
hardware, and the other 2 will be made primarily of nylon with
additional trim and hardware.
Please help!
Also, can you find out who manufactures the handbags for London
designer, Anya Hindmarch?
Many thanks.  This is a neat service!

Hi,

As I was doing research for this question I learned there were quite a
few hand bag startups. Here's hoping yours is a success.

First, since you mentioned your less than complete knowledge about
handbag manufacturing I thought I'd start with this article on how a
group called SCORE helped another women get into the hangbag industry.
http://www.score.org/success/carmens/

The SCORE Association is a national, nonprofit association with 10,500
volunteer members and 389 chapters throughout the United States and
its territories. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small
Business Administration. They have a good deal of information on their
site that might be of help to you.

As for manufacturers, here's what I discovered. There are many foreign
contract manufacturers for handbags. I did not add any, but if you'd
like I can do so.

In the United States, I found two.

The first is a company in Maine called Belfast Accessory that has been
manufacturing handbags and other accessories for 15 years.
http://www.belfastaccessory.com/

One neat thing about their site is that they provide some FAQs about
their business. They talk about the design and materials. Apparently
they can either use yours or their materials, so it seems as if your
desire to use your customer's material and their trimmings and
hardware is a possibility.
http://www.belfastaccessory.com/faq.htm

Second on the list is Bearse Industries which advertises itself as
"Bearse USA is the premier manufacturer of Quality Sewn Products that
carry the Made in USA label. Since 1921, we have specialized in
made-to-order products that meet the needs of several Industries!"

Again, they seem to fit your needs regarding materials. In their FAQs
they say Does Bearse USA supply all of the raw materials required to
make an item?
"We are very flexible with the procurement of raw materials for your
product."
http://www.bearseusa.com/


Apologies, the most I could find out about Anya Hindmarch.

arch   b. 1967 UK   handbag designer who got her big break designing
for Harpers & Queen. This allowed her to start up in business with her
first london shop opening in 1993. She now has several shops including
a Hong Kong branch. As well as supplying many department stores, she
also produces bags for Dries Van Noten and many Brit designers. Every
year she develops a new range giving her designs women's names like
Maud or Martha.

It's difficult because there was not even a contact email or phone #
on her website.

Search Strategy:
handbag manufacturers, United States
contract sewing, handbags, United States
how to start a handbag business

My question was answered within hours & seems to have provided me with
(2) requested leads.  One part was not answered, but I knew the
information was/is difficult to obtain.  Not only was the response
fast and thorough, but it was also friendly and personal.  I think
this service is incredible!