Match Game Suzie Hamer is one of those rare and fortunate people who always knew what she wanted. She is driven but soft-spoken, smart and also devoted. A fashion designer and a mom, Suzie crushes both full-time jobs with natural grace. Suzie grew up in Sacramento, always with the intention of becoming a fashion designer. She left for NYC at 18 to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology. While she was earning her fashion degree, she interned backstage at New York fashion shows. It was here that she met some prominent designers, which opened the door for her to work at Nicole Miller while she was in school. When she graduated, the design brand hired her to manage their kids line. Eighteen
With Hark + Hammer, Suzie Hamer pairs fashion expertise with a passion for prints. WRITTEN BY TANYA MONAGHAN
months later she was head of women’s design at Sideout Sport, a volleyball-focused company based in L.A. When Cherokee bought Sideout a year later, Suzie moved on to GUESS as an associate and later as a senior designer. After getting engaged she became a freelance designer, allowing her the flexibility to work from home. This set the stage for a work environment perfectly suited for raising kids. She worked in design and trend forecasting for different companies—creating their overall concept, theme for the month and palette and deciding what they needed to buy. This platform would soon provide the springboard for Hark + Hammer. Suzie met
MAY/JUNE 2018 | SOUTHBAY
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