It’s February 2020 and the world hasn’t been stopped by the coronavirus pandemic yet. While the designers, in the context New York Fashion Weeksending stone-faced models down the runway, Susan Alexandra (née Korn) is staging a musical. There’s lively dancing, acting and singing, interspersed by an amusing chorus from usually stern audiences. Both on stage and in the crowd, you can see her famous beaded bags dotted: rainbow checkered prints, watermelon colors, dotted with cherries or clouds or butterflies. This burst of joy – before we knew we needed it – was a core part of Susan Alexandra’s brand ethos.
Launched in 2017, her beaded purses are considered by many to be a collector’s item. Displayed in animal prints or kaleidoscopes, they are loved by everyday shoppers, influencers and celebrities, even appearing on supermodels like Gigi Hadid.
Her beaded jewelry also received praise and admiration: Pete Davidson often wears her Susan Alexandra “Pete” pearl necklace. “Having that endorsement from celebrities is really exciting. I’m a huge fan of pop culture,” she told POPSUGAR via Zoom. “There are quite a few people from Euphoria who have the pieces, which really gets me excited because I think they’re what’s next.”
“What I like about the metaverse is that there’s no limit to what can happen. I can turn it into something completely imaginary and it’s a dream as a designer.”
Susan Alexandra lives at the pinnacle of what’s next, perennially one step ahead of the rest of the industry. Consider this: some designers are still skeptical of the metaverse, but Alexandra is getting started right away. Her latest career move is creating NFT wearables for AbsolutCoachella project. Digital fashion accessories live in Absolut.Land where fans (21+) are encouraged to connect over shared virtual drinks and dress their avatars in custom carnival fashions. Among Alexandra’s digital designs, you’ll find a pair of watermelon earrings with an Absolut cocktail, similar to her favorite drink: a dirty martini.
“What I like about the metaverse is that there’s no limit to what can happen,” she said. “If it’s a shoe, it doesn’t have to be comfortable. If it’s an earring, it doesn’t have to be light. I can turn it into a complete fantasy and that’s a designer’s dream. next.”
Fantasy could soon turn to reality: Susan Alexandra now plans to foray into shoes. “For the metaverse [project]”I made these shoes and they have an Absolut cocktail heel,” she says. “And I was like, ‘Okay, now I really want to wear shoes.'”
Clothes are also in her sights and she’s excited about the way Street style – especially at festivals – is growing. “What’s happening right now is a lot of people just show their bodies regardless of size,” she said, naming the cuts. Festive fashion trends she loves. “I feel that people are dressing now unconsciously like this. And that’s openness and acceptance. And I really love the idea of gender-neutral fashion; I think that’s also the case. It’s really exciting.”
Before Coachella Weekend 1, Susan Alexandra chatted with POPSUGAR about designing for the metaverse, expanding on her favorite brand, and a celebrity she really wants to work with. Read ahead of our full interview.
