Joy Susan is the embodiment of a true American success story.
In 1972, starting with a handful of her own jewelry creations, Debbie Tierney went from store to store, not just looking to sell her jewelry, but looking for opportunities to develop relationships. In an era when woman were not recognized as entrepreneurs, Debbie pushed forward and started doing trade shows — first regionally, then nationally. She developed a reputation as a businesswoman who had a knack for recognizing the latest fashion trends, particularly when it came to styles and colors. Debbie’s determination to create beautiful, in-fashion pieces and put them at shoppers’s fingertips was simply unstoppable!
Always moving forward
Today, Joy Susan is a leader in the vegan leather handbag, jewelry and accessory markets. Debbie still runs the business, but now has the help of her entire family, a modern warehouse, and cutting-edge technology. Over 22,000 customers, including small mom and pop boutiques as well as multi-national stores, sell over 5,000 different Joy Susan products, and we are constantly working to develop new pieces that maintain our high standards for material, durability, and workmanship.
What is Vegan Leather?
Ignorance isn’t bliss. When it comes to the things we purchase – items we touch, carry, wear and interact with each day – knowing where they came from and what they’re made of is always better than not knowing.
Why we chose vegan leather
The reason we at Joy Susan ultimately chose vegan leather as our material of choice (and why we hope you will, too) is because vegan leather is fashion with a conscience. It’s every bit as good as genuine leather, and we think that once you try it, you’ll never go back – and you won’t be missing anything.
So what is it?
Joy Susan’s vegan leather bags are made of 100% pure polyurethane (PU), a synthetic material with no animal products or by-products whatsoever. It’s a material we’re experienced in working with, and out of many artificial leather options, polyurethane’s rich texture and versatility give it the edge. Some vegan leathers, for example, incorporate fibrous hides in an attempt to simulate a more leather-like feel. At Joy Susan, we never do this – and we never have to, because with expert design and careful attention to details, it’s difficult to tell our bags from genuine leather.
And when it comes to versatility, polyurethane reigns supreme. It can be finished with an eye-catching sparkle or a glossy sheen, and it can be saturated in a range of colors that put leather to shame. So if you’ve got a favorite shade, Joy Susan has it – we’ve been able to generate polyurethane in almost 100 different colors.
How do I clean it?
Keeping your vegan leather bag in tip-top shape is easy. Minor marks and smudges can be wiped with a baby wipe or wet cloth. You can also spot clean the surface as needed using lukewarm water and a mild soap or detergent. Stains can also be removed using rubbing alcohol, although we recommend testing this on an inconspicuous area of the bag first.
The bottom line: Ethical fashion is smart fashion
Not only will our vegan leather handbags and clutches look good on you, but they’ll also make you feel good about your cruelty-free fashion decision. So get shopping – Joy Susan has a wide selection of exclusive options you’ll love.
