Suzy Suzy Menkes
An existence of high reputation in the world of Fashion, journalist and fashion critic Suzy Menkes certainly proves her worth for being honoured with a British OBE. Despite not following her intended route in the industry after studying dressmaking at Esmond in one of the four Fashion capitals, Paris, we have not been left in disappointment. Instead we have been graced with words of interest through her successful 25-year journalism career as editor for the International Herald Tribune. Although in her earlier days Menkes made a habit of sneaking into fashion shows, she now holds an indefinite seat at most major shows, where she never fails to exhibit her signature pompadour hairstyle by sweeping her hair upwards, wearing it high over her forehead. Now envisioned as a fashion statement, the reasoning behind her trademark look is simply because she “hated her hair all in her face when she was writing a story.” In the late 1960’s, Menkes’ imaginative ideas led her inside a fashion show where Karl Lagerfeld showcased an unmissable collection for Chloe. Both dressed incognito as cleaners, she and a friend managed to quite easily swan into the private venue, hiding under the stage until the show began. A criminal but admirable trait that proves that she was quite clearly destined for success. She was, quite shockingly however, once refused an invite to a fashion show as a result of a review that she had written on a previous collection which left the designer a little less than displeased. Suzy Menkes is a unique talent and is more than just a name in a long list of journalists. In the entirety of this world, it is very seldom you would find someone that would refuse anything that would be given to them for free, no matter if it carried a designer label or not. This is yet another quality that sets her apart from the rest; she refuses to accept any designer gifting or to even ‘get too cosy’ with designers - a reputable example of the idea that you should never mix business with pleasure. If you hadn’t noticed by now, Suzy Menkes’ outlook on life is very fanciful. Believing you can gain knowledge of a city’s culture through the interpretation of a taxi driver isn’t something you would expect to learn from the ordinary person. “In London, cabbies care about sport, in New York cabbies care how far you’re going, and in Paris they ask you how John Galliano’s doing at Dior.” She is one of few who was head-hunted at a young age by fashion queen Anna Wintour’s father, Charles, to express her views on fashion in the London Evening Standard - a decision that was not favoured at the time by other journalists. Suzy Menkes is one of a kind, a dying breed some may say; it’s rather hard to imagine there will be another being to make such an impact in the fashion or journalism world with such influential views in generations to come.
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