I would love to make handbags, firstly for myself and then
professionally. I am based in London, England and would love to know
about courses and any groups or societies that I could join. I'd also
like to find suppliers for many types of handles I could use and
information on the best materials etc

Hello Poppers,

Thank you for your question.

Peyton was asking a similar question to “Ask Navaz” at the Handbag.com
website
http://www.handbag.com/fashion/navazq68/

“Dear Navaz
Could you tell me the best way to find out how to start a handbag
business? I would like to design and sell handbags but I don't know
what the process is of sourcing fabrics, manufacturers, etc. Can you
help?
Peyton”

Navaz answered:
 
“Dear Peyton 
Most accessory designers start off by doing a general fashion course
and then specializing. Cordwainers College (020 7514 8663) in London
is a well-known shoe design college but they also offer courses in
handbag design. Alternatively, The Prescott & Mackay School of Fashion
and Accessory Design (020 7923 9450), offers part-time day, evening
and weekend classes in shoe and bag making and design. Courses cost
from £150 including materials.
Navaz”
Ask Navaz: http://www.handbag.com/fashion/navazq68/


Prescott & Mackay offer short courses in fashion accessories. They are
located in London and run two-day classes throughout the year in
shoemaking, millinery and bag making.

Bag making

Two-day Introduction to bag making: 
“Students are let into some trade secrets of this skilled craft and in
the process get to make a rather sophisticated bag which is theirs to
take away at the end of the session. No previous experience is
necessary.”
http://www.footwear.fsbusiness.co.uk/index.html
 
Dates and Prices 2002
Bag Making 2 Days
October  19/20
December 14/15
Price: £195
http://www.footwear.fsbusiness.co.uk/COUR9.HTM

You can reserve your course online with their Booking Form.
http://www.footwear.fsbusiness.co.uk/eform.htm

Contact information:

Prescott & Mackay 
Studio X5 The Metropolitan 
Enfield Road 
London N1 5AZ 
(Entrance on St Peters Way) 
Tel/Fax: 0207 9239450 
E-mail: courses@prescottandmackay.co.uk

The Prescott & Mackay School of Fashion and Accessory Design
http://www.footwear.fsbusiness.co.uk/

The London College of Fashion offers an Accessories Workshop.

“This course offers you the opportunity to learn how to professionally
make bags, whether that be a handbag or a shopper or a rucksack. This
work shop introduces you to the basic skills employed for making
fashion accessories. The course runs over three term, allowing
students the opportunity to gain confidence and experience of a wide
range of design and construction methods.”

Duration: Tuesday evenings for 27 weeks 6.00pm - 9.00pm.
Course Dates:
Autumn Term: 15 October 2002 - 17 December 2002
Spring Term: 14 January 2003 - 1 April 2003
Summer Term: 13 May 2003     - 10 June 2003
Price:  £900.00

The London College of Fashion Website
http://www.fashiontraining.co.uk/acatalog/Courses_Accessories_Workshop_300.html

You may book this course online from here:
http://www.fashiontraining.co.uk/cgi-bin/ca000000.pl

Contact information:

London College of Fashion
20 John Prince's Street
London W1G 0BJ
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 7400
Email: enquiries@lcf.linst.ac.uk
http://www.lcf.linst.ac.uk/cms.cgi/site/about/location/

*********************************************************************

Delphine et Marinette, London accessories designers show eight
selected materials they use for their exclusive handbags. Click on the
thumbnail of their fabrics (cotton pique, cotton, fur, satin and wool
in lively patterns)  and see how they look on the handbag.
http://www.test-zone.net/Delphine-et-Marinette/home.html

The Cloth Store 
The Cloth Store shops sells many (and sometimes difficult to locate)
products that you can buy online. Others items will be added as demand
grows. There products include crafts and fabrics. You may enquire for
items not shown.
http://www.clothstore.co.uk/categories.asp

Animal fur fabrics are available for online purchase at the Cloth
Store as well.
http://www.clothstore.co.uk/catcontents.asp?category=Fabrics&subcategory=Animal%20fur

Calico Fabrics:
“We carry over six hundred items, so if you are looking for a
particular fabric, just call us on 020 8541 5274 or email
sales@calicofabrics.co.uk “ They accept mail orders.
http://www.calicofabrics.co.uk/

Ghee's
 
This website offers professional quality handbag frames and hardware
to design and create your own purses, totes, or briefcases. Although
Ghee's is not located in the UK, they do accept international orders.
http://www.ghees.com/HandbagHardware/handbaghardware.html

In addition, you can order a variety of fashionable handbag patterns
from Ghee's. They accept international orders.
http://www.ghees.com/HPatterns/hpatterns.html

Ghee's Order Form 
http://www.ghees.com/Orders/orders.html

FREE Instructions! How to Make Ghee's Mini Bag
http://www.ghees.com/files/Eye_Case_Instruct-web.pdf

The Craft Depot Uk 
Wholesale and Retail Craft Supplies
http://www.craftdepot.co.uk/

Wholesale Handbag Handles (for future reference)
http://www.mjtrim.com/Catalog/cn_Category.asp?SuperCategoryID=1&CategoryID=2

Original handbag ideas from the Baglady
http://www.baglady.com/FreeFabricBag.htm

The Baglady Purseframes
http://www.baglady.com/PurseFrames.htm#GateTop

The Baglady Website
http://www.baglady.com/

The UK Craft Fair
http://www.craft-fair.co.uk/Supplies.cfm

Additional information that may interest you:

I stumbled onto this classified ad that may interest you when you
start making your handbags professionally. This small shop wants to
purchase small quantities of handbags for their London store.

“I am the owner of a small shop in London UK and in Atlanta GA USA. I
am looking for suppliers of trendy women's shoes, handbags, belts and
women's underwear. I buy in small to medium quantities. Any
information as to where I can start getting good feed back as well as
products especially in the Italian market would be greatly
appreciated.”
 
Karron Onorati
Tentazioni and accessories
68, Crystal Palace Park Rd, SE26 6UN London (UK)
Tel: 44 07803710138
E-mail: KOnorati@hotmail.com
http://www.shoeinfonet.com/want/wc_cont.htm

Keywords used in search:

handbag courses in London
handbag design in London
London College of Fashion
Prescott & Mackay
handbag supplies
handles and fabrics
Arts & crafts supplies 


I hope you find this helpful and good luck in your handbag business!

Best regards,
Bobbie7-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by poppers-ga on 01 Oct 2002 11:28 PDT

Thanks- there's so much useful stuff there- one question- are there
any groups or societies- Uk, internation, email, anything, where I
could speak to others who make bags?
Thanks

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 01 Oct 2002 11:35 PDT

Hi

I'll try to find a group or society and will get back to you when I do.

Thanks 

--Bobbie7-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 01 Oct 2002 12:33 PDT

Dear Poppers,

I searched for handbag societies, associations and forums without any
luck.

Perhaps you could start a discussion on handbag making at Handbag.com
discussion groups. All you have to do is register before posting.
http://forums.handbag.com/

Handbag.com is the premier women's interest website and first onto the
market of sites for women in the UK.
http://handbag-dev2.aspectgroup.co.uk/

Jane Smith answers your careers questions at handbag.com.
http://www.handbag.com/careers/jane_qna35/

Crafts Council - An independent organization which provides services
to craftspeople and the public.
http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/

As I was searching I found these interesting sites:

Links to handmade handbags.
http://www.zeal.com/category/preview.jhtml?cid=894235

Ask Mr. Handbags offers consumer information on handbags.
http://www.zeal.com/exit.jhtml?cid=894231&wid=60695955&so=&xr=/website/profile.jhtml%3Fcid%3D894231%26wid%3D60695955

There was an exhibit of hand-crafted accessories or wearable art by
twenty three new and recognized designers at the Craft Centre & Design
Gallery. (They had many handbags)
http://www.craftcentreleeds.co.uk/accessorise2.htm

You could sign up for The Craft Centre & Design Gallery mailing list.
http://www.craftcentreleeds.co.uk/mailing%20list.htm

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Bobbie7-ga

Amazing- so quick and so thorough- I'm delighted with the answers and
the amount of searching done
Thanks!