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

What Fashion Gets Wrong About the Press | Emily Blumenthal & Nadja Sayej

October 6, 2026·27 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

What does it really take to get fashion coverage today? Emily Blumenthal sits down with culture journalist, fashion writer, and author Nadja Sayej for a candid conversation about the changing media landscape, PR-driven journalism, affiliate marketing, TikTok creators, and what actually gets a journalist’s attention. Nadja also shares what brands get wrong when pitching the press, why practical products and honest storytelling matter, and some of her wildest experiences covering red carpets and shooting for Backgrid.Key Takeaways:• Pitch the press properly — Direct links, strong assets, and knowing an editorial calendar can make all the difference.• Authenticity wins — With so much PR and paid content, journalists and consumers respond to transparency and a real point of view.• Practical is powerful — Functional, well-made products with a clear story can have more staying power than vanity-driven fashion.🎧 Listen now for an inside look at fashion journalism, PR, pitching, and the reality behind the headlines.Our Guest: Nadja Sayej is a culture journalist, fashion writer, author, and photographer whose work spans fashion, art, celebrity culture, and nightlife. She is the author of Red Carpet Hoe and Paparazzi Bitch and also shoots for celebrity photo agency Backgrid.About the Host: Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, founder of The Handbag Awards, and host of Handbag Designer 101. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” she helps emerging designers understand the business, production, strategy, and marketing behind building a handbag brand.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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