Designer Of The Week: Susan Alexandra

When the likes of Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski are donning your goods, you just know you’re doing something right. This must have been how NYC-based accessories designer Susan Alexandra felt this past summer, when her bags blew up online. Having two collabs with major retailers (Opening Ceremony and Shop Super Street), Susan’s young business is growing at a dream pace. I was lucky enough to ask her a few questions over email (note: I was REALLY tempted to say something like “We sat down with Susan Alexandra to discuss her brand”, but in reality, I sat in my bed and emailed her some questions that I didn’t expect her to answer!) about her inspiration, her local and ethical workforce, and the possibility of new projects. Check out the end where we share our faves from her shop, and don’t wait too long to cop – a lot of her items are already sold out and/or have a waitlist! Here’s what she had to say:

Where are you based?

SA: In Chinatown, NYC 🙂

When did you start your company?

SA: I started the company 5 years ago, it was only jewelry items. We launched bags last year, and that’s when the business picked up in capacities that we’d never expected.

What was your inspiration behind the now-famous beaded bags? Did you expect it to be such a hit?

SA: I just wanted a bag that I

had never seen before, with colorful and fun patterns to play with. Beaded bags have been around in other places of the world though, in China, India, Bangladesh but also Kenya and South Africa. We were just trying to resurrect the trend by playing with shapes, colors, and patterns. It’s been such a blast being creative with those.

You must be getting loads of orders with all the press you’ve been getting this summer. How do you keep up and how many people work with you to make your bags?

SA: Currently, my entire production is local. It’s been crazy this summer with all the demand, but we managed to find great people from various backgrounds and communities to make the purses, and we are fighting to keep the highest ethical standards.

Will you still continue to design jewelry?

SA: We still offer the jewelry and we are planning to push for our jewelry items and push for new products that I am sure people will appreciate!