Hi everyone, I'm Hilary Kerr, the co-founder and chief content officer of Who Outwear, and

this is Second Life, a podcast spotlighting women who have truly inspiring careers.

We're talking about their work journeys, what they've learned from the process of setting

aside their doubts or fears, and what happens when they embark on their Second Life.

Today, I'm speaking with the jewelry and accessories designer behind the cult-followed brand,

Susan Alexandra, the one and only Susan Corden.

Susan started her brand back in 2011 as an assortment of handmade jewelry.

By 2017, she brought her whimsical, colorful and joyful design to be the handbags and soon

they were everywhere.

From purses in the shape of a martini glass to earrings adorned with dangling cherries,

everyone from Gigi Hadid to Alison Roman to Pete Davidson jumped in on the viral sensation

of Susan's designs.

Major retailers like Neiman Marcus, Berkdorf Goodman, an opening ceremony picked up the

brand, and she expanded into new categories like textiles and home goods.

As Susan Alexandra brand is now an entirely direct to consumer business model, and in leaning

into her vision wholeheartedly, her brand has blossomed even more, which you can see,

IRL, at her New York flagship store, which is adorned with a smiling fountain and a banana

door handle.

And those who's in admits that she dreamed of being a designer from a young age, it took

her a while to find the confidence to truly pursue it.

In fact, she was turned down from many fashion companies in her early days, and even attempted

a career as a stylist before focusing on design.

...