EP 207: THE ART OF CRAFTING CASS WITH DEBRA SZIDON

Cass is a luxury line of leather goods designed and made in California by Debra Szidon. A Jersey girl who now calls California home, Debra blends East Coast sophistication with West Coast ease in every design she creates—from leather handbags to interior spaces and botanical elements.

The idea for Cass began with a vintage handbag Debra had held onto for years. Its shape, structure, and simplicity always seemed to work, always seemed to get people talking. When she decided to restore the bag and make it accessible to others, it felt only right to name the line after her father, Cass. Growing up, she spent weekends in his autobody shop, watching him restore vintage cars. His entrepreneurial spirit and love for craftsmanship inspired Debra to build something of her own with that same attention to detail.

With a background in interior design (her work is both award-winning and published), a degree in horticulture, and a passion for thrifting, Debra’s work combines natural elements, timeless style, and unexpected details that feel both new and classic; free-spirited and refined. Each Cass piece is designed with intention—built to last and meant to be passed down.

In this episode, Debra shares how her passion for craftsmanship and design led her to create Cass, a luxury leather goods brand that celebrates legacy and quality. She talks about the inspiration behind her handbags, the lessons learned from her father, and the challenges and rewards of maintaining local production in California.

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What's inside:

• The inspiration behind Cass and how a vintage handbag sparked the brand's creation.
• How Debra’s father’s craftsmanship influenced her design philosophy and entrepreneurial journey.
• The process of keeping production local in California and designing products that are built to last.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Instagram
Facebook
The Cass Clutch Website
Cocoon Home Website