Susie Straubmueller became a luxury handbag designer by accident. In 2009, she wanted a belt that didn’t exist. She visited a leather master in hopes he would create it for her. Instead, he suggested she try and make it herself. He taught her about leather, quality, and getting the stitching right. Susie fell in love. She spent two years studying leather craftsmanship under leather masters at tanneries in Columbia and picked up Italian techniques at the Chanel and Dior factory in Italy. She launched her eponymous collection in 2011 (we were there, remember?) and hasn’t looked back since. Just last week, she won Fashion Group International’s Rising Star award in Accessories. Her focus, these days, is on the exotic leathers she imports from Italy and she’s busy sketching more avant-garde designs for upcoming seasons. (I caught a sneak peek of a holographic python clutch for spring 2014.) You can browse the full collection of designs at her upcoming trunk show at Stanley Korshak from Dec. 2-8. In the meantime, see what the handbag queen carries in her own design.
1. Susie Straubmueller coin purse. “I carry this for my business cards.”
2. Susie Straubmueller Mi Alma wallet. “The liz is just so pretty and you can also carry it as a clutch.”
3. Miu Miu sunglasses. “The case is really pretty in that velvet color.”
4. Beauty products from top:
Sunscreen. “I love sunscreen. It’s light and sheer.”
Chanel shimmer powder in Jasmine. “With a little shimmer for freshening up during the day.”
Histoires de Parfums travel perfume in Blanc Violette [from Grange Hall].
Chanel Hydrating Crème lip color in Superstition. “It’s just an everyday-type nude for me.”
Tide to Go stick. “You never know what’s going to happen. Especially with all the delicious salsa here in Dallas.”
Teasing brush. “l like to keep my hair a little teased.”
Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine spray. “I have naturally wavy hair, so it tames my natural waves. And I love the way it smells.”
5. iPhone. “I love the pop of orange. It just makes me happy.”
6. Smythson notebook. “I bring this with me everywhere. If I have a design that comes to my head, I’ll do a quick sketch and makes notes on it.”
7. Measuring tape. “I always carry this with me. When I’m working with a client, I can take this out and show them what size things are.”
8. Italian dictionary. “I have my skins imported from Italy, so learning the language to be is very important when doing business with Italians.”
9. Business cards and look book. [Metallic logo is an actual scan of of a python skin.]
10. Cosmetic and pencil bag. “It’s a really nice leather. This is one that I bought in Colombia while I was training for my leather crafting.”
