Handbag and accessories designer Carlos Falchi received the first Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony held for the inaugural annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards at the Museum of the City of New York on June 20.

Other winners included Charmaine Ho of Me Char (Best Student Made Handbag), JP Dewberry of Southern Vitality (Best Handmade Handbag), Julie Lazarus of Elezar (Handbag Designer 101 Audience Selected Handbag), Maria Estrada of Ignes Handbags (Most Socially Responsible Handbag) and Katherine Kwei of Katherine Kwei (Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design).