Susanne Bartsch facts for kids

Susanne Bartsch is a famous Swiss event organizer who lives in the United States. She became well-known for her exciting parties in New York City in the late 1980s, especially at a club called the Copacabana. These parties brought together all sorts of interesting people and made her a big name in New York's nightlife. People often say her name is like a special brand for amazing events, because she organized so many big parties in cities from Montreal to Miami.

Early Life and Moving to New York

Susanne Bartsch was born in Bern, Switzerland. When she was a teenager, she left her family and moved to London in the late 1970s. There, she became friends with famous people like Jimmy Page and Malcolm McLaren.

In the early 1980s, Bartsch moved to New York City. She opened a clothing store in a neighborhood called SoHo. This store was important because it helped introduce new British fashion designers and brands to America. Some of these designers included Vivienne Westwood, Leigh Bowery, BodyMap, John Galliano, and hat maker Stephen Jones. She also helped start the careers of young American designers like Alpana Bawa and Michael Leva. Her work also influenced the "Club Kids" movement, which was a group of young people known for their wild fashion and party scene.

Organizing Parties and Helping Others

By the late 1980s, it became harder to sell unique and "edgy" clothing in America. So, Susanne Bartsch started organizing weekly parties at popular nightclubs in New York. She held events at places like Savage, Bentley's, and eventually, the famous Copacabana.

In 1989, Bartsch created a special event called the Love Ball. This event raised a lot of money to help fight HIV and AIDS. It was also the first time that elements of Harlem's "ball culture" were shown to a wider audience across the country. Ball culture involves competitions where people show off their fashion, dancing, and unique styles.

Susanne Bartsch also does other charity work. For many years, she organized annual toy drives during the holidays with her partner, David Barton. They got married in 1995 and later separated in 2010. They have one son named Bailey Bartsch Barton.

In 2015, The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) held an exhibition that celebrated Susanne Bartsch's amazing and unique costumes.

Appearances in Film and TV

Susanne Bartsch has also appeared in films and television shows:

• Susanne Bartsch: On Top (2017) – This is a documentary about her life.
• RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2019; season 4) – She was a guest judge on this popular TV show.

See also

In Spanish: Susanne Bartsch para niños