The SUSU Gal

Laura McMahon

Laura McMahon
Hi! I am Laura and like many women all around the world, I am many different things at once: mother of two, wife, Electrical Engineer, Fair Trade lover, fashion obsessed, SUSU Accessories partner, blog writer in the making, Colombian export... My commitment to slow-fashion started when I joined my partners at SUSU Accessories and started working with the most talented Wayuu artisans in La Guajira, Colombia, who's livelihood has always been tied to their art which is not always rewarded fairly. Along with my SUSU team, I set out to bring this art form to the forefront of fashion, working directly with them, respecting their process, ensuring their fair wages and sharing our experiences with potential customers, fashion lovers and brands, sustainability converts and anyone who might want to know how the things they are wearing are made. I'm very excited to have you being a part of new chapter and would love to hear from you!
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Recent Posts

WAYÚU MOCHILA: THE ONLY HANDBAG YOU'LL EVER NEED

Posted by Laura McMahon on Feb 14, 2019 1:14:18 PM

When on the go, most of us have a "go to" style of handbag we end up using time and time again, in spite of owning many more. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, if that "go to" style is comfortable, versatile and fashion forward. The problem is most of us stop at comfortable and tend to ignore the other two!! We end up looking exactly the same every day, unintentionally sporting a "uniform" and loosing all sense of style.  

Here is where I'd like to introduce the Wayúu Mochila.

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Topics: Sustainable fashion, handmade handbag, fair trade, versatile handbag, travel handbag, best handbag, crossbody bag, fashion blog, trendy handbag, accessories, lifestyle blog, travel fashion, everyday bag, etically made, ethically made, travel with family, family vacation, how to, slow fashion movement, La Guajira, wayuu, indigenous tribe, slow fashion, holiday shopping, sustainable gifts, gift ideas, holiday gifts, world travel

THE TIME I BECAME AN IMMIGRANT

Posted by Laura McMahon on Jan 9, 2019 7:20:29 PM

Being a migrant is something a huge slice of the world population share, even when the reasons for becoming one are not. It takes a huge desire or need for change to uproot yourself and move to another country, where your customs, the weather and language are different than yours, you look different than most anyone else and even the smallest tasks like pumping gas are not done the way you've learned. Not to mention, leaving family and friends behind... what's familiar to you.

Then why do it?

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Topics: fashion blog, lifestyle blog, travel fashion, travel with family, world travel

ETHICAL HOLIDAY SHOPPING MADE EASIER

Posted by Laura McMahon on Nov 13, 2018 4:21:43 PM

Ahhh... the holidays! Whimsical time for family, great food, reunion, a touch of magic and lots of love. And with them, holiday shopping!

Depending on where we live in the world and which culture we adhere to (as well as your budget), your gift giving list can be as short as one or as long as every human being you have crossed paths with for the last 5 years. Even for anti-shopping personalities, the task doesn't have to be daunting and we can help the world we live in by giving sustainable gifts! So, where to start?  

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Topics: Sustainable fashion, fair trade, versatile handbag, fashion blog, accessories, lifestyle blog, everyday bag, ethically made, how to, slow fashion movement, slow fashion, holiday shopping, sustainable gifts, gift ideas, holiday gifts

THE WEEK THE WAYUU CHANGED MY LIFE

Posted by Laura McMahon on Oct 29, 2018 1:36:02 PM

Traditions past down from generations are valued in all cultures, families and ethnicities. Most of us value that which identify us as part of a group, with deep roots to plant ourselves to the world and relate to.

Being Colombian, but specially "costeña" or from the Caribbean coast, I grew up very close to a few indigenous tribes like the Aruhacos and the Wayuu. Those are only two of the over 100 tribes in Colombia alone.  Being able to work directly with the Wayuu I feel a strong sense of responsibility in bringing awareness to how our products are made, not only in technique but also the human artisan behind them. Here is the story of how a rough journey sealed the deal for me.

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Topics: Sustainable fashion, handmade handbag, fair trade, accessories, ethically made, slow fashion movement, La Guajira, wayuu, indigenous tribe, slow fashion

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY (AND SUSTAINABLY) PLAN YOUR FAMILY VACATION

Posted by Laura McMahon on Oct 12, 2018 10:30:15 PM

Being a mom of two awesome kids is one of my biggest accomplishments (they are alive and functioning after all!) and a constant push for self-improvement. It is incredible to see them grow and become partners in our family's decisions like where to go on vacation and what to do when we get there. 

Traveling with kids doesn't have to be a burden and decisions like what to eat and  where to visit can be fun to make as a family, specially when done sustainably!

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Topics: fair trade, travel handbag, fashion blog, travel fashion, ethically made, travel with family, family vacation, how to, kid frienly

HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT ETHICALLY MADE HANDBAG

Posted by Laura McMahon on Sep 27, 2018 9:15:26 AM

Handbags, a very personal choice...

Hi guys! welcome to the very first post from "The SUSU Gal"! I am super excited to start this new chapter with all of you!

Working with SUSU and making sustainable choices has been a journey that it's not always easy but never fails to be rewarding! and yes, you guessed it, I love handbags! and even more when they are ethically made. But, if you had to choose one, which one to go with?


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Topics: Sustainable fashion, handmade handbag, fair trade, versatile handbag, travel handbag, best handbag, crossbody bag, fashion blog, trendy handbag, accessories, lifestyle blog, travel fashion, everyday bag, etically made

Welcome SUSU Gal!!

Loving fashion and a good deal don’t have to be mutually exclusive from making ethical choices and supporting slow-fashion. A SUSU Gal knows that! She embraces trends and practicality while being socially conscious and Fair Trade. “The SUSU Gal” :

  • gives you tips about sustainable fashion
  • follows “game changing” brands and how they work  
  • helps you make the right choice for the world and your wallet!  

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Recent Posts