One of the most important cultural figures of the past forty years, Naomi Campbell needs almost no introduction. Suzy sat down with her friend to discuss her life and work, and not least, an incredible new exhibition at the V&A South Kensington celebrating none other than the supermodel herself.

The show runs from Saturday June 22, 2024 until April 2025.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy has a relaxed chat with her friend, the wildly talented polymath Jasper Conran, about his life, career and his latest project, designing the set and costumes for Frederick Ashton's Les Rendezvous at London's Royal Opera House.

Les Rendezvous runs with The Dream and Rhapsody from June 6 until June 19, 2024. See link below for details.

https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/les-rendezvous-the-dream-rhapsody-by-frederick-ashton-details

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy is back for her ninth season! On the eve of his tenth anniversary at the company, Suzy speaks to her friend Stuart Vevers, Executive Creative Director of Coach New York.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this Coronation bonus episode, we're bringing you a great conversation with Suzy on If Jewels Could Talk, the podcast presented by Vogue's jewellery contributing editor Carol Woolton. They speak about Suzy's jewel predictions for the big day, who she thinks is the best-jewelled Royal, what it truly means for an item of jewellery to "belong" to the Royal Family - and much more.

Thanks from Carol to Suzy, for letting her share the episode!

For more of Carol's podcast, visit http://carolwoolton.com/podcasts

This episode is brought to you by @fuligemstones

Follow Carol Woolton:  @carolwoolton

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Music & editing by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Suzy's theme by @joergzuber

Creative direction by Scott Bentley @bentleycreative

Illustrations Jordi Labanda @jordilabanda

Read Carol Woolton in Vogue magazine – vogue.co.uk/fashion/jewellery and carolwoolton.com

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In this special epsiode, Suzy speaks to luxury creative director Brunello Cucinelli in front of a live audience, in a theatre in the village of Solomeo, Italy.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a tour of his new flagship store in Mumbai, Suzy sits down with India's foremost international fashion designer and retailer Sabyasachi Mukherjee to discuss his early years, his vision for the brand and his outlook for the future.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy sits down with one of the world's most successful and influential movie costume designers, the multi-Oscar winning Sandy Powell, who was presented with BAFTA's highest honour by Cate Blanchett at the 2023 awards: the BAFTA Fellowship.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to the wildly successful make-up artist, author and entrepreneur Bobbi Brown about her career, her new brand Jones Road, how TikTok has changed her world, and how her love of England has inspired her new sideline as a hotelier.

https://jonesroadbeauty.com

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to the visionary Colombian-born, Paris-based designer Haider Ackermann, about his career and his recent work as guest designer for the Jean Paul Gaultier brand.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the day of the Christopher Kane London Fashion Week show, we release Suzy's conversation with trailblazing Scottish designer Christopher Kane and his sister Tammy. They discuss the inspiration for the season, the how their upbringing shaped them, and their newfound freedom.

https://www.christopherkane.com

https://www.instagram.com/christopherkane/

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

#christopherkane #londonfashionweek #donatellaversace

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Suzy sits down for a wide-ranging chat with inspirational designer and sustainability warrior Sybilla Sorondo, on a lively Thursday night in central Madrid.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to the royal king of hairdos, Sam McKnight, about his stellar career and what it has brought to his life.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy's guest for this episode needs no introduction: the visionary, decade-spanning and wildly successful Giorgio Armani. Suzy and Mr Armani speak in both Paris and Venice about his life and current activities.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

Mr Armani's English translation spoken by Anoushka Borghesi, with special thanks to Fabio Giglio and Katherine Mengardon

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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Suzy has a very special conversation with the Rome-raised, Paris-based fashion designer Giambattista Valli, about his work and his view of the fashion industry, and its impact on his life.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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Suzy speaks to Joan Burstein, a.k.a. Mrs B of Browns, the legendary, groundbreaking boutique in South Molton Street, London, which Mrs B co-founded in 1970 with her late husband Sidney.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to inspirational South African designer Thebe Magugu about his career and vision.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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Suzy talks to iconic textile designer Celia Birtwell, ahead of the exhibition Mr & Mrs Clark, which explores Celia's work with her former husband, the late Ossie Clark.

The exhibition will take place from 17 September 2022 - 8 January 2023 at Museo del Tessuto, Prato, Italy.

https://www.museodeltessuto.it/en/exhibitions/ossieclark/

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to Dr Matthew L Scullin, American materials scientist and CEO of California-based MycoWorks, a company helming the drive to use fungal mycelium to make clothing and accessory materials.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to American designer Daniel Roseberry, the current artistic director of the iconic brand, as Schiaparelli open their long-awaited retrospective exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, Shocking! The surreal world of Elsa Schiaparelli.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to the new artistic director of Pucci, Camille Miceli.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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Just as finishing touches are made to the auction Hubert de Givenchy the Collector at Christie’s headquarters in Paris, Charles Cator, Deputy Chairman of Christie's International and confidente of the haute couturier, exclusively talks Suzy through the designer’s art collections and furnishings, and discusses Givenchy’s love for artisans.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of this year's Homo Faber exhibition in Venice, Suzy speaks to Hanneli Rupert, organiser of the event and board member of the Michelangelo Foundation, and Alberto Cavalli, the foundation's executive director. Together they discuss this year's international show, championing artisanal talent. Homo Faber takes place from 10 April until 1 May 2022.

https://www.homofaber.com

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to a photography legend: the ultimate celebrity insider, Dave Benett, who has taken iconic shots of Kate Moss, Elizabeth Hurley and hundreds of others. Dave has recently opened his solo exhibition, Great Shot Kid, at the JD Malat Gallery in London's Mayfair; it's showing until 8 March 2022.

https://jdmalat.com/exhibitions/dave-benett-great-shot-kid/

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy sits down with London-based fashion designer Bella Freud, to talk about her life, career and larger-than-life family background.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to an American success story: designer Anna Sui about her world, her career and how the 1990s provided her moment.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy speaks to legendary and distinguished fashion and textile designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, about her life and career.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For her first episode of 2022, Suzy talks to fashion designer Simone Rocha about her ten years in the fashion industry, and winning the award for Independent British Brand at the 2021 Fashion Awards.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Suzy celebrates the career of Manolo Blahnik, who speaks to Suzy from his home in Bath, England. They discuss his life, his parents, his factory and his archive collection, currently viewable at https://thearchives.manoloblahnik.com.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Suzy celebrates the career of Tommy Hilfiger, who speaks to Suzy directly before receiving an Outstanding Achievement award at The Fashion Awards.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this special episode, Suzy is taken on an exclusive tour of Raeburn's shop, archive and lab in Hackney, London, guided by Christopher Raeburn himself. Along the way, Suzy catches up with the designer about his company's visionary stance on sustainability.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For her second episode of season five, Suzy talks to Pierre Rainero, Director of Image, Style and Heritage for Cartier, about the centenary of of English Art Works, the Maison’s historic London workshop.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy talks to Kaat Debo, director of the MoMu (fashion museum) in Antwerp, about the reopening programme of the museum, Fashion 2.021 Antwerp – Fashion/Conscious, and about Antwerp's crucial place in fashion history.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For episode 8 of season 4, Suzy brings you a Couture special. Demna Gvasalia, the creative director of Balenciaga, discusses his first Couture collection for the house and the revival of Balenciaga Haute Couture. In fact it’s the 50th couture collection for the brand, because Cristóbal Balenciaga’s final show was his 49th. Fifty-three years after the original Balenciaga salon was closed, the company’s haute couture has been revived for Autumn Winter 2021/22. The show was presented in Avenue George V with a famous modern audience, with François-Henri Pinault of the Kering luxury group, and hats by Philip Treacy.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For episode 7 of season 4, Suzy talks to Raffaello Napoleone about celebrating the 100th edition of Pitti Uomo, the world renowned menswear trade fair of which he is CEO.

Have you ever wondered how your clothes end up in the shops? Buyers descend on trade fairs once or twice a year to purchase stock to fill their shelves. It may come as a surprise that not all clothes come from the runways of Paris and Milan.

As the premier men’s trade fair gets back into post-Covid action it has been decided that Pitti will be ‘double-track’ with a digital week as well as a physical week. And, in parallel form, there is a growth of the digital platform - Pitti Connect - which the visionary CEO founded 12 years ago.

Watching the line-up of peacock males displaying their latest looks in Florence’s historic Fortezza da Basso - the location of the trade fair - underscores that powerful Italian spirit of past/present, seen also in the historic city itself.

As well as his role as CEO Pitti Immagine - a non- profit Italian organisation to promote the fashion industry and Made in Italy - Raffaello Napoleone heads up Pitti Bimbo for children and Pitti Filati for yarns, while current powerful changes to sustainability are also transforming Italy’s attitudes.

Can the physical format of a trade fair and - above all - its interaction with people, really be revived? The dynamic director has stretched his wings to include trade fairs of artisan perfumes, food with its flavours and tastes, and home wear. They all prove, post Covid, that growth can start at home.

Raffaello is also one of the founders of the Polimoda fashion school set up with Linda Loppa to help preserve the Italian fashion industry. In teaching and in fashion, he looks always to the future.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy travels to Paris to speak to Simone Rocha and Jean Paul Gaultier about Simone's highly anticipated Jean Paul Gaultier couture collection.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For episode 6 of season 4, Suzy talks to Diane von Fürstenberg, wrap dress innovator, DvF founder, New York City philanthropist and supporter of the arts, about her life, work and current activities, including her latest book, Own It: the Secret to Life.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I am joined by handbag designer Anya Hindmarch for episode 5 of season 4.

The witty, wise and tirelessly energetic Anya Hindmarch, always open-minded and willing to share her wide-open heart, talks to me about her latest amusement. 

Anya has taken over a post-pandemic empty street in the Knightsbridge area of London - and transformed it into an Anya Village, offering the things she loves and believes in - from her famous handbags to products that are less harmful to the planet.

She has also just published a book, If In Doubt, Wash Your Hair, which is filled with advice on how to be happy. Her words are profound, defining the character of a woman whose life would be considered quite a challenge: she created a business at age 18, when she came back from Italy carrying a handbag that was to define her life.

Five children later - three inherited from her widowed husband and two of their own - Anya continues with her world-wide accessories business - and with dollops of fun and a CBE awarded by the Queen.

- The Anya Village on Pont Street London, SW1X opened on 17th May 2021.  

- If In Doubt, Wash Your Hair: A Manual For Life, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dries Van Noten talks to Suzy about his career spanning 30 years. He began his career in 1986 designing his own collection of menswear. 

Since then he has flourished with sophisticated & poetic shows in Paris, marrying art and craft.

He discusses being part of the alumni of the “Antwerp Six” who graduated from the strong-minded school, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, between 1980–81 and managed, with the help of intellectual teacher Linda Loppa, to plant the seeds of style in the Belgian city.

Known for his vibrant prints and use of colour and flowers, Dries creates a balance of reality and dream. 

When one aspect came forward - like the magnetic combination of the pragmatic Belgian realist and haute couture genius Christian Lacroix - the effect marked fashion history.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of you heard the sad news of Suzy’s dear friend Alber Elbaz who passed away this weekend - another victim of Covid 19 

Over the next few weeks - so much will be written about this THIS exceptional & thoughtful designer who loved & wanted to support women.

But as a TRIBUTE to Alber, and as a gesture to the remarkable person he was, we are re-issuing the podcast recorded nearly a year ago. 

The best way to remember Alber will be to hear him speak - as when he talked it was such joyous company to be in.

Here are his words and his laughter.

Produced by Natasha Cowan.

Edited by Tim Thornton.

Music by @joergzuber.

Graphics by Paul Wallis.

Production Assistance by Lauren Sweeting.

Support for the Creative Conversations podcast comes from the Condé Nast Luxury Conference.

To find Suzy's articles visit vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Birthday Michael Kors! Congratulations for celebrating 40 years in the fashion business!

Michael has so much to say - and it was such fun to talk with him about his 40 years in fashion that we are re-releasing the podcast as a bonus so that his wise and witty words can be heard again and his imagination, energy and lively spirit can be revealed. Having just had a preview across the pond of the special anniversary collection, I know that it features a specially curated selection of iconic pieces throughout the four decades of being in the industry. Plus we will be treated to a Broadway performance with award winning musician Rufus Wainwright. What a celebration for Michael, and a pleasure for us.

Michael Kors, whose American sportswear label is celebrating its 40th anniversary is marking the event with a thoughtful reappraisal of his past and future, where highs have included dressing stars from stage, screen and state, from Jennifer Lopez to Angelina Jolie to Michelle Obama, whose bared shoulders the designer brought to the fore.Michael talks to Suzy about building his own label in the 1980s and designing for Celine in Paris from 1998 to 2004, before expanding his brand in the US, and ultimately across the world.

Kors has not only built a fashion business but also a powerful luxury accessories empire, under the name Capri Holdings Limited. This conglomerate includes his own mighty label and also Jimmy Choo and Versace.The current pandemic brings a thoughtful response from Michael Kors, who is the first American designer to miss the September timetable of fashion week shows and move his own presentations to October/November. His insightful vision on reducing the speed and the amount of fashion in a post-Covid era is enlightening.

Here is a chance to hear the real Michael Kors, and to learn that feeding the hungry is as important to him as dressing the famous.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis.

Production Assistance by Lauren Sweeting.

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes ...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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Welcome to the fourth series of Creative Conversations with Suzy Menkes where we are celebrating a year since I launched the first episode of my podcast: an interview with Maria Grazia Chiuri of Dior.

In the first episode of this new season, I am joined by Orsola de Castro who spearheaded the global movement for change within the fashion industry and now heads Fashion Revolution.

For Orsola de Castro, all you need is love. Love for fashion, and love for all beautiful things - that last. Talking now, in 2021, to the passionate founder of Fashion Revolution, is a lesson about lasting. Or, as she puts it: “Re-wearing your clothes can be a revolutionary act.”

Loved Clothes Last is the title of her new book, published by Penguin Random House - and a passionate ode to the rebirth of old friends, lurking in closets and stuffed into drawers.

Up-cycling is so much more than a fashionable trend. For Orsola, it was born of the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh, where an eight story building, rammed with clothing workers, collapsed eight years ago in 2013, leaving a death toll of 1,134.

Instead of wringing her hands, like so many in the fashion business, Orsola asked herself WHY people demanded ever cheaper clothes - and what could be done to make a lasting difference.

It was then that Orsola founded fashion‘s largest global activism movement: 'Fashion Revolution’ . It was designed to change the way the industry works, and to bring cultural change in our attitude to clothes.

April 19th until 25th marks Fashion Revolution Week where over 100 countries will come together to take responsibility, remember the lives lost, and demand that no one should die for fashion.

In our conversation, Orsola’s urgent enthusiasm reminds us that we can all be fashion revolutionists. That our clothes deserve new lives, instead of being cast off and thrown away.

Her book is a mix of practical repair with thoughtful and passionate commitment to fabric and treatment that would prolong life.

The 8th Fashion Revolution week is happening across the world from the 19-25th April.

There are many ways in which you can participate, spread the word and educate yourself. Let’s believe that today’s fashion and textile industry CAN change, and evolve, and become more transparent.

Visit fashionrevolution.org to get involved.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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For episode 7 of season 3, our guest is the Hermès Creative Director - Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski.

Hermès has a deep history, founded on horse saddles, but now famous for its neckties, handbags and increasingly for its discreetly elegant clothes.

It is not just a mighty and classy brand, it is also a family business of six generations.

Co-chairs of Hermès today are two cousins: CEO Axel Dumas and Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Vice -President, Artistic Director and son of Jean-Louis Dumas, who revolutionised Hermès and grew it as an international luxury company.

The current designer has become part of the family. Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski - whose name reflects the variety of her background - talks to Suzy about how she is developing the brand as “quiet luxury”. Call her a purist or a gentle spirit, the designer’s aim is to move the brand forward, with imagination and intelligence.

The artisanal roots have run deep in the house of Hermès since 1837, with over 20 artisan crafts workers now producing, as well as Ready To Wear, fine-jewellery, lipstick, furniture, perfume, watches and, of course, those famous handbags.

The company, known for their warm orange colour, which is not listed with Pantone, maintains a responsible ethos to the planet ensuring traceability, certification protecting and preservation. The Hermès artisans also work on ‘petit h’ - a concept which ingeniously transforms remnants of leather silk crystal, and porcelain, horsehair, buttons and metal, into brand new objects.

Hear Nadège talk about her timeless and witty design, and approach to colour and form, what Hermès stands for, and how its horsy history has always galloped ahead in fashion, making Nadège an exceptional designer for a famous brand.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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For episode 6 of season 3, artist Sterling Ruby explains to Suzy why he was invited to take part in Paris Haute Couture with his label S.R. STUDIO. CA. LA. COUTURE and how he went from a construction site to constructing haute couture. Crossing the boundaries of art - by using fashion as an artistic medium of self expression.

Coming from a hippy and punk background, Sterling Ruby talks about the challenges he faces as an artist and designer in achieving an urban feel, working on the surface of materials with bleach, minerals and hand dying - pushing the boundaries between artistic mediums.

The artist first dipped his ‘brushes’ in the fashion world when Raf Simons and he met and forged a relationship, which took them to Dior and Calvin Klein and beyond on a route of ‘Americana’.

Hear from the artist himself, Sterling Ruby, on his approach to couture and his rise to fashion through the art world. 

@sterlingruby

@srstudiolaca

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Photograph Courtesy of Melanie Schiff

Graphics by Paul Wallis

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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In episode 5 of season 3 Suzy is joined by Leonard Lauder - the chairman emeritus of Estée Lauder who is known around his company as "Chief Teaching Officer”. And for good reason.

As the brand turns 75, Leonard Lauder has written a book The Company I Keep : My Life in Beauty published by HarperCollins. Apart from discussing his latest volume, he will also reveal how much he learnt from his mother Estée Lauder herself - and how he built a special connection with philanthropy, and with the world of art.

Leonard Lauder, who lives with his photographer wife Judy, discusses how he made Estée Lauder the General Motors of the beauty business - with multiple brands, product lines and multinational distribution.

Does the current beauty boom in tough times have parallels with the earlier post-World War boom? Or is it technology which has encouraged us to buy make-up online whilst we are all stuck at home?

Leonard tells us from his own lips how Estée set the standard, and how he has taken it to the future.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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Behind the story of the little boy who sneaked over to use his mother’s sewing machine is a man who has had a profound effect on famous fashion houses: from Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel to Ralph Lauren, Valentino to Gianni Versace.

Making hats not just for his friends, like fashion lover Isabella Blow and designer Alexander McQueen, but also the Royal Family, plus all the clients he has across the world - some formal, others wild and wonderful - it is Philip who describes the hat as "not only an accessory, but a visual indicator."

The secret of Philip Treacy’s success is not his connection to fame - although well deserved - it is his extraordinary talent. This is all currently displayed in a large-scale exhibition of his hats at the Erarta Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, which has people queuing round the block to see it. 

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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Suzy meets Jeff and Émilie Goldblum, perhaps the most charming couple in all of Hollywood, and speaks to them about fashion, life, work, family... and la dolce vita nella bella italia!

https://www.emiliegoldblum.com/

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis 

Thanks to Damian Samuels

To find Suzy's articles visit https://suzymenkes.com 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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Wes Gordon, the Creative Director of Carolina Herrera, talks to Suzy about dressing Kamala Harris in a white suit on November 7th 2020, the historic evening she became the first female Vice-President Elect of the United States of America.

The choice of designer and the fresh, bright white pants suit was a powerful symbol of the new attitude of President elect Joe Biden.

As the Carolina Herrera company celebrates 40 years in business, Wes Gordon reveals to Suzy what it’s like dressing actors from a young Meghan Markle to Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow and how he’s dedicated himself to the Herrera legacy, supported by Puig, the Spanish fragrance and fashion group.

The 33 year old designer discusses his passion for flowers, nature and lively sense of colour, contrasts within the sophistication of the New York studio.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

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This week I am joined by by Andreas Kronthaler the designer, otherwise known as Vivienne Westwood’s husband.

Andreas talks to me about transforming the story of sex, fun and punk into a thoughtful and successful brand. It now has a goal of activism, sustainability and a mission to persuade people to shop wisely and consciously.

What did Andreas bring from his Austrian roots? Was he inspired to study jewellery from the influence of his blacksmith father? And how did he move from jewellery to fashion?

Andreas - usually leaving the talking to Vivienne - reveals unexpected details of the Westwood tale we thought we knew so well.

Produced by Natasha Cowan @tashonfash

Edited by Tim Thornton @timwthornton

Music by @joergzuber

Graphics by Paul Wallis

To find Suzy's articles visit https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/suzy-menkes 

...find Suzy on Instagram @suzymenkes and Twitter @thesuzymenkes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.