Susanne Bartsch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susanne Bartsch
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|---|---|
Bartsch in 2023
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| Born |
Bern, Switzerland
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| Occupation | Event Producer |
| Spouse(s) |
David Barton
(m. 1995; separated 2010) |
| Children | 1 |
Susanne Bartsch is a Swiss event producer who lives in the United States. She became famous for her amazing parties in New York City during the late 1980s. Her monthly events at the Copacabana brought together many different kinds of people. Because of this, she became a well-known figure in New York's nightlife. The New York Times newspaper once said that her name was like a special fashion brand. This was because she created so many exciting events in cities from Montreal to Miami.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Susanne Bartsch was born in Bern, Switzerland. When she was a teenager, she left her family and moved to London in the late 1960s. There, she became friends with famous people like Jimmy Page and Malcolm McLaren.
Moving to New York
In the early 1980s, Bartsch moved to New York City. She opened a clothing store in a neighborhood called SoHo. This store helped new British designers and brands become known. Some of these included Vivienne Westwood, Leigh Bowery, BodyMap, John Galliano, and hat designer Stephen Jones.
Helping New Designers
Susanne Bartsch also helped start the careers of young American designers. These included Alpana Bawa and Michael Leva. She was also an important influence on the "Club Kids" movement of that time.
Creating Famous Parties
By the late 1980s, the American economy was slowing down. It became harder to sell unique and "edgy" clothing. So, Bartsch started organizing weekly parties at popular New York nightclubs. These included places like Savage, Bentley's, and later, the Copacabana.
The Love Ball
In 1989, Bartsch created an event called the Love Ball. This event raised US $400,000 to help fight HIV and AIDS. This amount would be worth about $994,000 today. For the first time, parts of Harlem's unique "ball culture" were shown to a wider audience across the country.
Philanthropy and Family
Susanne Bartsch has also been involved in charity work. She used to run yearly holiday toy drives with her partner, David Barton. They got married in 1995 and later separated in 2010. They have one son named Bailey Bartsch Barton.
Museum Exhibit
In 2015, The Museum at FIT held a special exhibit. It celebrated Susanne Bartsch's amazing and unique costumes.
Appearances in Film and TV
- Susanne Bartsch: On Top (2017)
- RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2019 & 2025; Season 4 & Season 10), Guest judge
See also
In Spanish: Susanne Bartsch para niños
