In Her Shoes - a look into founder of Stessa By Sarah, Sarah Marsden, life, and creative journey.

Stessa was born from a personal styling dilemma that many women will instantly recognise. Looking back, how did the search for the perfect handbag become the catalyst for creating an entirely new luxury accessories brand?

For years I found myself buying a beautiful pair of shoes, then spending hours trying to find the perfect handbag to go with them. Or I’d find the handbag first and then struggle to find shoes in exactly the same shade, finish or level of quality. It always felt like a compromise.

One day I remember sitting there thinking, “Surely I can’t be the only woman with this problem.”

That thought stayed with me. The more I looked, the more I realised there simply wasn’t a luxury brand designing shoes and handbags as one from the very beginning. We spend so much time creating the perfect outfit, yet our accessories are usually bought separately and expected to somehow work together.

Instead of accepting that compromise, I decided to create what I couldn’t find.

That’s how Stessa was born. Every shoe and handbag is designed together from the very first sketch so they work perfectly as one. Our collections are for women who love to make an entrance, women who are confident, feminine and aren’t afraid to stand out. I wanted every piece to feel bold, luxurious and beautifully crafted in Italy.

Your collections are built around the idea that shoes and handbags should be designed as one, rather than paired as an afterthought. In an era of fast fashion and endless choice, why was it important to champion this more considered approach to luxury dressing?

I actually think women are overwhelmed with choice today.

There are thousands of shoes, thousands of handbags and endless trends, yet finding pieces that genuinely belong together can still be surprisingly difficult.

I’ve always believed luxury should make life easier, not more complicated.

When someone buys Stessa, I want them to know every leather, every metallic finish, every piece of hardware and every proportion has been considered together. It takes away the guesswork and allows women to enjoy getting dressed without compromising on style.

To me, real luxury isn’t about having more. It’s about owning something that has been thoughtfully designed and beautifully made. I’d rather create fewer pieces that women truly fall in love with than endless collections that disappear with the next trend.

Every Stessa piece is handcrafted in Italy, blending timeless glamour with modern femininity. What qualities do you believe define true luxury today, and how do you ensure those values are reflected in every collection?

For me, true luxury starts with craftsmanship.

It’s knowing who made your product, how it was made and taking the time to get every detail right instead of rushing something to market.

That’s why producing in Italy was so important to me. The level of expertise and attention to detail is incredible, and you can genuinely feel the difference when you hold the finished product.

Luxury should feel timeless, but it should also have personality. I’ve never wanted to create accessories that disappear into an outfit. Stessa is about bold colours, striking silhouettes and beautiful craftsmanship coming together to create something unforgettable.

Most importantly, I want every collection to make women feel confident. If someone puts on a Stessa shoe and handbag set and instantly stands a little taller, then we’ve done exactly what we set out to do.

You launched Stessa in your forties after years of dreaming about becoming a footwear designer. What did that chapter of your life teach you about ambition, confidence and the courage to reinvent yourself?

Launching Stessa in my forties taught me that there is no expiry date on ambition.

For years, becoming a footwear designer was something I dreamed about, but life had other plans. I built other businesses, raised my children and kept putting that dream to one side. Eventually I realised that if I didn’t go for it, I’d always be left wondering, what if?

Starting again later in life actually became one of my greatest strengths. I wasn’t chasing someone else’s definition of success. I was building something I genuinely believed in. That gave me resilience when things became difficult.

Having grown up in the care system, I know what it’s like to start life with challenges that can shape people’s expectations of you. It taught me resilience, determination and the belief that where you begin should never define where you can go.

More than anything, I hope my journey inspires other people to go after the dream they’ve always carried with them. Whether you’re in your forties, fifties or beyond, or whether you’ve come from a background where people underestimated you, it’s never too late to start again. It’s never too late to back yourself. If my story encourages even one person to believe in their own potential, then that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

Luxury customers increasingly seek brands with authenticity as well as beautiful design. Beyond the craftsmanship, what emotional experience do you hope a woman has the moment she steps out carrying a Stessa set?

Confidence.

That’s the first word that comes to mind.

I want her to put on her shoes, pick up her handbag and immediately feel like the best version of herself.

Accessories have an incredible ability to change how you carry yourself. When you know everything works together perfectly, you naturally walk differently. You feel more confident before you’ve even spoken.

I want women to feel confident enough to stand out rather than blend in. Stessa isn’t about quiet luxury. It’s about elegant confidence. It’s for women who enjoy making an entrance, expressing their personality and wearing accessories that become part of their identity.

If someone catches their reflection and thinks, “I feel incredible,” then we’ve done exactly what we set out to do.

As the brand continues to grow, what is your long-term vision for Stessa? Is your ambition to become a heritage British luxury house, or are there new categories, collaborations or experiences you hope will shape the next chapter?

Without question, I’d love Stessa to become a recognised British luxury house.

That has always been the dream.

I want people to instantly recognise Stessa for beautifully crafted shoes and handbags that are designed to be worn as one.

Growth is important, but I’ll never rush it. I’d much rather build a brand that lasts for decades than chase trends or grow too quickly. Every new collection has to feel intentional and stay true to the original vision.

As we grow, I’d love to expand into other luxury accessories and explore collaborations with people and retailers who genuinely share our passion for craftsmanship, creativity and confident femininity.

Ultimately, I want Stessa to become a brand that women aspire to own because they know they’re investing in something beautifully made, distinctive and designed to stand out. If, years from now, people say Stessa changed the way women think about luxury accessories, then I’ll feel incredibly proud of what we’ve built.