The legendary Swiss event producer is responsible for throwing some of the most legendary parties in the city.
Now a newbook, out today, is delving into Bartschs incredible (and glamorous!)
Its my life in stills, really, Bartsch tellsVogue.
Photo: Courtesy of Abrams Books
I wanted to keep it light and explore it through the decades.
The main problem was whatnotto put in the bookthere was way too much stuff!
), what inspires her glitzy party attire (hint: she DIYs a lot of her looks!
Photo: Courtesy of Abrams Books
), and where she stores all her incredible wigs.
Vogue: What inspired the book?
Susanne Bartsch:To be honest, it wasnt my idea at all.
Photo: Courtesy of Abrams Books
I dont really sit and planmaybe thats what I should be doing!
He said, I want to do a book with you.
A few days later, I said, Okay, lets do it!
Photo: Courtesy of Abrams Books
I wanted to do a book that includes the variety of [work] Im involved in.
I was very involved in the design of the book tooI wanted a lot of collages and photos.
I love that the book focuses on chosen family and the creatives youve worked with over the years.
How did that emerge as a main theme?
Youve been serving looks since the 1980s.
How would you say your style has changed over the years?
My look has changed a lot.
My signature look is to not have the same look!
It used to be more eclectic.
But my looks were more eclectic, and then they became more head to toe.
Now, I often dress [according to] my makeup.
Then I have semi-drag, which would be a Gaultier dressanda wig.
Then full drag would be full hair and makeup and a head-to-toe look.
A whole section of the book explores how you often DIY your clothes.
How did you learn how to do this?
With the business that Im in, recycling [is a must].
I cant have a new dress or look every time I do something; I need to restyle things.
Im very much about the unconventional; I like things when theyre not smooth.
Its the same with my looks.
Over the years, do you have any favorite party looks that stand out?
I dont really have a best look.
The look I do today will be my best look.
But I will say my [1995]wedding lookwas incredible.
David [Barton] and I didnt want a conventional wedding.
People could go up onstage and do whatever they wanted for three minutesdesigners, hairdressers, photographers.
I told David, Why dont we just come out at the end and get married?
We didnt announce it at all.
Thierry Mugler designed my look.
I would say that was the piece de resistance.
Have you had any other favorite designer collaborations over the years?
I love working with Abraham Levy; Im actually wearing his corset on the book cover.
And I still love collaborating with Zaldy.
After all these years, he just knows what works and how it will fit.
I also used to love working with Mr. Pearl; Im the first person who bought his corsets.
He was in the East Village in a basement.
I used to call him Stitch Bitch because he would be sewing all day, all night.
Where do you store everything?
I have this fabulous apartment with four bathrooms, and two of them are closets.
In one of them, I took the toilet out and put clothing racks in.
Then I have storage underneath my big Chinese bed, and I have storage in Brooklyn.Theres a lot.
Its organized but never enough.
I also have a whole hallway with wigs.
Do you know how many wigs you own at this point?
I have boxes and boxes of wigs.
Do you think nightlife style has changed in New York?
People wear what they feel good in now.
I love how androgynous its become.
Thats what Ive championed from day onebe who you want to be.
He, she, theyit doesnt matter.
Ive always loved drag queens because they just have so much fun with their looks.
I love seeing people express themselves.
Right now, thats more important than ever because everything is on a screenyou can do anything the phone.
(RuPaul calls it the square.)
Its really important to see each other and feel each other.
Its a beautiful thing when people unite on the dance floor and put the phone down.
Theres no rules now.
You had to be making an effort.
Feathers and sequinsyes, it was very glam.
Now people are very creative.
They make things themselves.
If you feel good in it, it works.
Its also interesting how the art of drag has pretty much become a mainstream thing.
Thats always what I was aiming for, and RuPaul [andDrag Race] took it to another level.
Drag was looked down ondrag queens were seen as cheap.
Ive always had drag queens in my life.
I just love how they have fun and how well they do things.
Im curious how you feel about earning the title of the queen of nightlife now.
I just love to unite people!
These people are the queens of nightlife.
They allow me to do what I do.
I want to create a space for them to be themselves and be accepted in a safe space.
How do you hope people feel after reading your book?
I hope it inspires people and that they enjoy itand that they make a movie out of it!
But honestly, I have no expectation for it other than to inspire people.
Its nice to see all the things Ive done.
I did a lot of it for myself.
Its nice to see it all in one place.
Looking at all the pictures again, it was very moving and emotional.
It was a beautiful and rewarding experience.
You must have a busy Pride Month ahead.
What can we expect from you?
I do this annual Pride party at the Boom Boom Room and Le Bain [in New York].
I take over the whole 18th floor of The Standard, and I call it Boom.
Boom Boom is very campy and glam, and Le Bain is more heavy and naughty and housey.
I also have a book launch party on June 4 at the Boom Boom Room.
Then, I have a few other things to do, including events in Toronto and Switzerland.
They have Pride events over there too.
My big question is: What am I going to wear on the mountains?
What have I got other than Vivienne Westwood?
it’s possible for you to wear Vivienne Westwood on the mountainswhy not?
Ill be in the Alps in Westwood, baby.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
