What happens when you walk away from Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein—and bet on your own name instead? In this episode, Joy Gryson shares the bold pivot from corporate fashion to building a modern handbag brand that exploded in Korea and won a loyal global following.

She reveals how consulting bridged the leap, why she and her husband chose small Italian workshops over legacy factories, and how a park meetup with Steven Alan unlocked their sales pipeline. From the “It Bag” craze to mastering retail math and international strategy, Joy offers the real roadmap for scaling without selling out.

✨ 3 Takeaways:

1. Learn the math behind the magic — taste gets you noticed, but knowing costs, margins, and calendars keeps you in business.
   
   
   
2. Localize to globalize — success in Korea wasn’t luck; it was built on tailoring silhouettes, service, and merchandising to the market.
   
   
   
3. Bet on your own name, strategically — consulting, smart sourcing, and timing made her leap sustainable, not reckless.

Our Guest:

Joy Gryson is the founder and creative director of Gryson, Olivia Harris, and TriBeCa by Joy Gryson—brands known for their sophisticated balance of modern design and timeless craftsmanship. Before launching her own labels, she honed her skills at Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, and Coach, gaining a deep understanding of both design and business that would later define her entrepreneurial path. Her handbags have been carried by women around the world who appreciate understated luxury built with intention.

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. 

🔖 Hashtags:

#HandbagDesigner101 #JoyGryson #FashionBusiness #ItBagEra #Entrepreneurship #HandbagDesign #BrandBuilding #WomenInBusiness #IndependentDesigner #MarcJac

Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner

TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner