Suzie Hart is a Manhattan-based living installation artist, event producer/promoter, and an NYU adjunct professor. She hosts events at venues such as Le Bain for famed nightlife queen Susanne Bartsch and others. I’ve been to many of Suzie’s parties and what sets her apart, aside from her fabulous and daring LOOKS, honey, is how kind-hearted she is. When you’re high up in nightlife, it’s easy to develop a bit of a God complex, but Suzie is totally down-to-earth and sweet. I went out with her a few weeks ago, and some guy interrupted our conversation to ask about her hair. (I’m sure she’s used to this, as dressing to the nines all the time attracts attention.) Just as I was about to turn my back and ignore him (I was PMSing, OK?) she cooed, “you’d look great blonde. You should try it! Have a good night.” Kindness is chic AF you guys.
In addition to being a nightlife queen, Suzie has a bachelors degree in Anthropology and dual Masters degrees in Education and History. She has worked on three archaeological digs in Kenya, The Shetland Island and the Virgin Islands. Historical and fantastical themes run through her art installations which have been featured at The Box, MIXFest, Alvin Ailey and Dixon Place. GO is super excited to feature her as this week’s Queer Girl Fashion Icon!
GO Magazine: Who are you and what do you do?
Suzie Hart: I’m a jack of many trades. Most people know me as an event promoter/nightlife personality, but I’m an adjunct professor at NYU. Right now I’m teaching a course called Transnationalism, Immigration, and Identity. I also bartend on the side.
GO: Who are your greatest fashion icons?
SH: Easy! Bridgitte Nielsen, Boy George, and Tilda Swinton.
GO: Find ten adjectives that fully describe your personal style?
SH: Eclectic, Bright, High-Fashion, Visually Stunning, Referential, Unique, Elegant, Eye-Catching, Shifting, Tasteful.
GO: How do you feel about makeup? Love it, hate it? What products do you use? Do you have a signature makeup look?
SH: I hate it, but atleast in terms of my nightlife work, it’s a necessity! Mostly I use M.A.C. but I’m also a fan of Make-Up Forever, and Kat Von D. Right now, I’m all about nude lips. In the past, its been high-sweeping bright blush and even at one point, cartoonishly overdrawn eyebrows.
GO: Where do you shop?
SH: I’m all about supporting local queer designers and artists. Some of my favorites are DRTY SMMR, Claire Fleury, TILLYandWILLIAM, and David Dalyrimple. I also just discovered t-shirt and jewelry designer, Omer Gal, and his designs are pretty amazing.
GO: What was your most embarrassing fashion phase? Or have you been perfect and cool forever?
SH: I went through this painted-on, oversized, sometimes colorful eyebrow phase, which was a bit strange but I don’t regret anything! Also, in high school, I didn’t comb my hair for about a month to make a statement. Lord!
GO: Describe an outfit you wear on a date with a woman you were wildly attracted to.
SH: Black Maxitube, Wrapper, and Armer from TILLYandWILLIAM. The Maxitube goes all the way to my ankles but it’s skin tight so she can see every one of my curves. The armer covers my arms but leaves my shoulders bare. Very sexy!
GO: Describe an outfit you would wear if you wanted to feel insanely sexy?
SH: I feel sexiest when I do Grecian or Mucha-inspired looks. A flowy sheer pastel robe (I have one in purple by DRTY SMMR) paired with grecian-style curls, braids, some big bangles and bold necklaces to make a statement! I feel like a mythical goddess and to me, that is sexy!
GO: Is there such thing as lesbian style?
SH: Personal style helps us identify things the wearer wants everyone, or even just certain people to know about them. That’s one of its purposes. So sure, I guess there is. It helps us identify each other with more ease and comfort and (hopefully) avoid awkward situations with straight people. But not every lesbian fits in a mold. I certainly do not!
