Celebrating Women's History Month- "Fashionista Extraordinaire: The Powerful and Quirky Suzy Menkes"

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

"Fashionista Extraordinaire: The Powerful and Quirky Suzy Menkes"

 

 

(This is my first blog for Women’s History Month-March 2017)

I once dreamt of being part of the fashion industry, the one described in the pages of Women’s Wear Daily, Daily News Record, and “W”.  It was the 1980s and I was a Black girl in Atlanta, Georgia.  Just the thought of speaking my dreams out loud was frown upon by the mainstream Black folks living in southwest Atlanta.  You know, they were the ones everyone yakked about on the pages of Ebony and Jet, the Blacks living in the Black Mecca that most African-Americans could only fantasize about from afar. 

Even so, strangely enough, those same Black folks were tied to hopes and dreams of one day being part of corporate and governmental America. Although, they didn’t want inclusion in all parts of corporate and governmental America, they seemed to only want to make a wave in just the accepted streams, like local Education or Fortune 500 company divisions where degrees in Business, Law, Science, Math and Engineering would land you a good job.  Few, and I mean few, even considered the notion of entrepreneurship. 

Arenas of business ownership in Medicine, Law, Retail, Cosmetology, Insurance, Financial and Business Consulting, Real Estate, Investing, Sports or Entertainment were rarely discussed as options.  So you could imagine the general community reactions when I was asked, “So what are your career goals?”

Being pretty shy about my family and background, mainly relying on my accomplishments in high school, I would give the standard answer of “I’m probably going to Howard University and majoring in Corporate Law.”  They would smile big smiles and give accepting nods of the head.  But inside, I was shaking my head and laughing at how people would beam over the thought of another robotic high school graduate off to pursue the hopes and dreams of average Black America.

Truthfully, my real response would have been, “I’m going straight to New York City to see and engross myself in the industry of conspicuous consumption—FASHION!  I want to know about the social registry and why most of my people want to emulate the appearance, adornment and lifestyle of wealthy White folks and Europeans.  I want to know how to sell designer everything to everyone.”

And, “I want to drool at the fabulous people in fabulous cars, dripping in jewels and living in luxury.  I want to know what is glamourous and glitz-filled out there in the world of wealth.  I want to live, not like Mike, but like Suzy Menkes!” 

Her name is synonymous with Fashion.  She’s been everywhere and seen everything in the fashion world.  At the age of 74, yes 74, no one in the celebrity world of sho’ biz or pretentious red carpet fashion events can rival the AUTHENTIC world of Fashionista Extraordinaire, Suzy Menkes.  After 25 years with the International Herald Tribune as the Fashion Editor, she is now the International Vogue Editor for its 19 online global fashion websites. 

She is the grand dame of all fashion review and critique.  If she likes it, we love it.  If she says it will sell, we buy it. If she sees it and thinks we need to take a second look at it, we do.  Her word is power. 

She is a plus-sized British woman with a quirky hairdo and unconventional style.  She is daring, unapologetic, aggressive, judgmental and daunting.  She cares not for bull nor applauds what’s fake.  She is highly intelligent, travelled and cultured.  She has been a mentor to many and a role model for all who stand in her shadow. 

 
To praise her is to thank God for sending her to Earth, namely for those of us, especially young girls, who knew internally that the fashion world was waiting to be explored.  Suzy showed us women how to maneuver a male-dominated field for over 50 years. 

Suzy Menkes is my Fashion icon.  A woman making history. 

I have heard her roar for decades.  So go Suzy go!  This Atlanta woman “gets you” and admires your undeniable gumption.

 

*Vanessa Brantley  Style395.blogspot.com  March 12, 2017,  "Fashionista Extraordinaire: The Powerful and Quirky Suzy Menkes"   Volume 4, Blog 1a [vol. 4, 1-1c].