Susanne Bartsch
Encyclopedia
Susanne Bartsch is an event producer whose outlandish over-the-top monthly parties at the Copacabana
in the late 1980s united the haute and demi-monde and made her an icon of New York nightlife. "Ms. Bartsch's name," according to The New York Times
, is "the night life equivalent of a couture label, thanks to the numerous extravaganzas she staged in cities from Montreal to Miami."
Born in Switzerland, Bartsch left her family at the age of seventeen and moved to London, where she became an intimate of such celebrities as Jimmy Page
, Malcolm McLaren
and many others. Moving to New York City in 1981, she opened a clothing boutique in soho that provided early exposure for British designers Vivienne Westwood
, John Galliano
, and milliner Stephen Jones
and helped launch the careers of young American designers Alpana Bawa and Michael Leva. By the late 1980's the economy was slowing and, with retail sales for edgy clothing increasingly difficult, Bartsch began organizing weekly parties at Savage, Bentley's and finally the Copacabana. Bartsch created the “Love Ball” in 1989 and raised 2.5 million dollar to fight AIDS
. For the first time, dance/vogueing/presentation and Houses inspired by drag balls in Harlem were introduced to a national audience. Never ending in her philanthropic work, Bartsch continued to give back by annually producing toy drives during the holiday season along with partner David Barton. She married Barton, who is 13 years younger, in a lavish 1995 wedding; though the marriage was surprisingly strong, they separated in late 2010.
With the new millennium came a reinvigorated energy for Susanne Bartsch. You can find her drawing hipsters to dandies to drag queens everywhere at Happy Valley, Kino, BonBon at Juliet, Vandam at Greenhouse, the Royalton Hotel and so on. Presently, Ms. Bartsch has started a new monthly event, Bloody Mary at Good Units in the Hudson Hotel and continues to showcase New York City’s leading artists and performers.
Copacabana (nightclub)
The Copacabana is a famous New York City nightclub. Many entertainers, among them Danny Thomas, Pat Cooper and the comedy team of Martin and Lewis, made their debuts at the Copacabana. The 1978 Barry Manilow song "Copacabana" is named after, and is about the nightclub. Part of the 2003 Yerba...
in the late 1980s united the haute and demi-monde and made her an icon of New York nightlife. "Ms. Bartsch's name," according to The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, is "the night life equivalent of a couture label, thanks to the numerous extravaganzas she staged in cities from Montreal to Miami."
Born in Switzerland, Bartsch left her family at the age of seventeen and moved to London, where she became an intimate of such celebrities as Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
, Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren was an English performer, impresario, self-publicist and manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls...
and many others. Moving to New York City in 1981, she opened a clothing boutique in soho that provided early exposure for British designers Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood
Dame Vivienne Westwood, DBE, RDI is a British fashion designer and businesswoman, largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream.-Early life:...
, John Galliano
John Galliano
John Charles Galliano CBE, RDI is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who was best known as head designer of French haute couture houses Givenchy and Christian Dior , and his own self titled fashion house.-Family:He was born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father, Juan Galliano, and a...
, and milliner Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones (milliner)
Stephen Jones OBE is a leading British milliner based in London, who is considered one of the world's most radical and important milliners of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He is also one of the most prolific, having created hats for the catwalk shows of many leading couturiers and...
and helped launch the careers of young American designers Alpana Bawa and Michael Leva. By the late 1980's the economy was slowing and, with retail sales for edgy clothing increasingly difficult, Bartsch began organizing weekly parties at Savage, Bentley's and finally the Copacabana. Bartsch created the “Love Ball” in 1989 and raised 2.5 million dollar to fight AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. For the first time, dance/vogueing/presentation and Houses inspired by drag balls in Harlem were introduced to a national audience. Never ending in her philanthropic work, Bartsch continued to give back by annually producing toy drives during the holiday season along with partner David Barton. She married Barton, who is 13 years younger, in a lavish 1995 wedding; though the marriage was surprisingly strong, they separated in late 2010.
With the new millennium came a reinvigorated energy for Susanne Bartsch. You can find her drawing hipsters to dandies to drag queens everywhere at Happy Valley, Kino, BonBon at Juliet, Vandam at Greenhouse, the Royalton Hotel and so on. Presently, Ms. Bartsch has started a new monthly event, Bloody Mary at Good Units in the Hudson Hotel and continues to showcase New York City’s leading artists and performers.