Suzy Menkes, JET and For the Love of Pompadours!

If there were a high priestess in the world’s fashion industry, then Suzy Menkes would be one. Not just anyone, but the ONLY one!

Growing up to a fashionable Mom had its perks; I grew accustomed reading fashion articles written by Suzy Menkes long before I entered the Junior High. But it was not just her witty words and sophisticated experience in the fashion industry that kept me waiting for her articles, I always adore her signature look, particularly her pompadour hair style –which honestly has inspired yours truly’s hair-do-.

Now in her early seventies, Suzy began her illustrious career as a fashion journalist at 24 years old. She reigned for 25 years as the Fashion Editor –a.k.a. The Voice of Fashion- in International Herald Tribune. Last year Suzy began her new tenure as the International Fashion Editor for nineteen publications of Vogue Online (http://www.vogue.co.uk/suzy-menkes).

What I love about Suzy is that it is obvious that Suzy loves fashion, in fact she remains head over heels about fashion. However, she does not let herself to be corrupted by the fashion world and its actors. Suzy is well-known for declining gifts from designers. In fact, Suzy donates any gifts she is sent to the American Hospital in Paris. Otherwise, she returns the gift with a note saying, “I was brought up to believe a girl should never accept anything but flowers and chocolates”.

During her last week’s visit to Sydney, JET was not only fortunate to know the reason behind her pompadour style but also her views of the global fashion industry. This is thanks to the organizer of Powerhouse Museum who held a discussion session between Suzy Menkes with Colette Dinnigan, one of most prominent Australian designers.

Oh, and the fun did not stop there. During the question and answer session JET raised a question on fashion being applied as a tool of diplomacy by the world’s leading figures, from Duchess of Cambridge’s red colored dress from Jenny Packham in welcoming the Chinese President recently to Michelle Obama’s dresses designed by Kenzo who is headed by two American designers (Humberto Leon and Carol Lim).

Susy replied my question by highlighting that “I have no problem if these leading women apply fashion as a tool to make their causes heard, I do however feel it would be sad if these influential and smart women are only defined by their fashion appearances and not by their amazing contributions to the society”.

Bravo Suzy!!! No other fashion editor can utter sharp and inspiring comments while maintaining their cool elegance at the same time!!!

Keep on beautifying our world with your words and looks.

Read more about not only Suzy Menkes’s encounter with JET but also JET’s constant meeting with the world’s most authoritative voices in fashion as well as their amazing photos in instagram (@JETJAKARTA), Facebook page (JET’s Fashion Diplomacy), twitter (@Jonesey4Eva).

Ps. In accordance to Suzy’s words in her Vogue online article titled “Digging for Australian Roots”, it is time for designers not only from Australia, but also other countries to start researching about your own traditional textile and cultural heritage and transforming these into a brand new wearable designs. Suzy found immense and tres unique culture from the Aboriginal paintings she saw in Art Gallery of New South Wales. In her own words, Suzy states that “Looking at your roots… For that is the best way for a nation's fashion to seed and flower in our global world” (http://www.vogue.co.uk/suzy-menkes/2015/10/suzy-in-sydney-digging-for-australian-roots)

Catatan Kecil untuk sahabat fashionista dan rekans desainer Indonesia, sebagaimana ditekankan Suzy Menkes, editor terkenal Vogue, dalam konteks perkembangan industri mode Tanah Air, tiba saatnya bagi pelaku dan pemerhati mode Indonesia untuk menggali akar budaya kita sendiri. Indonesia memiliki kekayaan budaya yang terbentang dari Sabang sampai Merauke dilengkapi wastra tradisional dari setiap daerah. Kemaslah warisan budaya dan kain Nusantara menjadi busana modern yang dapat dikenakan tidak hanya oleh warga negara Indonesia tetapi juga oleh orang asing di Paris, New York, Sydney, Tokyo, Roma, Hong Kong, dll. Mari bersama majukan fashion Indonesia agar tidak hanya berjaya di Tanah Air namun juga di luar negeri. Satu hal yang dapat disimpulkan jangan pernah meremehkan budaya dan kreasi desainer negeri kita sendiri. Untuk apa kita terus menerus mengagung-agungkan budaya serta produk mode buatan luar, jika produk lokal yang merupakan warisan budaya kita sendiri justru menjadi tren global dan sedang dikejar-kejar desainer asing??? Sesungguhnya rekans fashionista justru akan tampil sebagai global trend-setter jika mengedepankan kain Nusantara karya desainer-desainer kebanggaan Tanah Air.

Jangan pernah lupakan kata-kata Suzy Menkes, “Galilah akar budaya anda, karena hanya dengan cara tersebut, industri fashion suatu negeri akan tumbuh dan berkembang di dunia global saat ini”.

To meet Suzy, JET puts on one of his much beloved Batik shirt designed by Oscar Lawalata, a prominent Indonesian designer focusing on traditional Batik and Indonesian fabrics. (Facebook page: Oscar Lawalata). Observe closely and you will find that my shirt is composed from shredded pieces of Batik which are creatively put together by the talented Oscar Lawalata.

After the event, we discussed about my hand-painted Indonesian Batik shirt as well as the fashion development in Indonesia. Don’t you just adore our similar Pompadoresque hair style? I gotta follow her style to make mine higher J

The question and answer shared between JET & SM:

JET:    Suzy, what is your view on fashion being applied as a tool of diplomacy in the 21^st century, for instance we saw Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing red gown to welcome the Chinese President as a sign of respect. Few months ago we saw also Mrs Obama wearing Kenzo’s dresses which were crafted by American designers who headed the fashion house?

SM:     I have no problem that these leading women apply fashion as a tool to make their causes heard, I do however feel it would be sad if these influential and smart women are only defined by their fashion appearances and choices

The conversation between Suzy Menkes and Colette Dinnigan, one of Australia’s most celebrated designers. Suzy began speaking about fashion suffragettes and the image of strong women through the decades.

These two fashion giants talked about the much too much fashion weeks and shows being held in the world’s capitals of fashion. Suzy addresses the question why she has not make more efforts to attend fashion weeks. She shares her concern that the more frequent the collection, the designers’ innovative creativity would be disturbed since they are running against the collection’s deadline.

Suzy shows her heart-shaped necklace, which is designed by South African women who are the victims of domestic abuse. She praised these women for being strong and manage to pull through such atrocity in life.

Apres the show:

JET:    Suzy, thank you for the kind answer.

SM:     Thank you. It was a good question!

JET:    Please call me JET. I am running a blog focusing on Indonesian fashion diplomacy. May I ask you for your signature on this paper?

SM:     Sure (while signing JET’s paper)

JET:    Thank youuu, Suzy. This is my business card. I really hope I can see you again someday soon.

SM:     Wait, let me give you my business card too.

JET:    Ooooohhhh, I can’t believe I have your card. This is amazing Suzy. I am so going to email you right away. Thank youuu so much.

SM:     You are welcome, JET. Keep in touch.

JET:    Suzy, can we have one more photo? (while anxiously preparing his iphone for a wefie with the world’s most famous fashion editor!)

SM:     Sureee!

The one and only Suzy Menkes gave her business card and signed JET’s Fashion Diplomacy paper!!! I love youuu, Suzy!!!

Suzy Menkes, one of the most influential voices in the world’s fashion industry, at The Morning Show Channel Seven Australia, 23 October 2015.

Suzy Menkes talks about three dimensional (3D) clothing pieces which will be the future of clothing in 21^st century. She explains that people will be amazed with the idea of made to measure clothes which is entirely different than the 20^th century haute couture.

Suzy is the guest of honour at the 2015 Australian Fashion Laureate Award. Here she is pictured with the models wearing designs by past Australian Fashion Laureate winners- Zimmermann, Easton Pearson, Jenny Kee, Carla Zampatti, Akira Isogawa and Collette Dinnigan

Since her times in the Tribune to date, Suzy’s voice on fashion industry has been one of the most respected and balanced voices as she underlines true talent and objectivity. On one hand, she would utter the most encouraging appraisals to young and emerging designers for their amazing creations, but on the other hand she would write a sharp critique about the passing of creativity from an established designer since the fashion creations seems to her as overly-repetitive.

Suzy in front of the Sydney’s most famous landmark, the Opera House.

When asked about her pompadour style, Suzy replied, “"I can't bear my fringe flopping in my face, so now I've got this quiff and I'm stuck with it. But maybe I won't be stuck with it for ever. Maybe I'll surprise everybody."

In her article, Suzy uploads this photo of original Jenny Kee’s crochet dress which serves as the inspiration to Romance Was Born.

Suzy with Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, the designing duo of Romance Was Born. Also a favourite of JET. J

Suzy stands between fashion genius Nicolas Ghesquiere (Creative Director of Louis Vuitton) and Raf Simons (former Creative Director of Dior).

Suzy with the King of Fashion, the one and only Karl Lagerfeld, the Creative Director of Chanel, Fendi and Lagerfeld. Photo: Conde Nast International Luxury Conference.

On her love of Issey Miyake’s outfits, Suzy famously states, "I just can't cope with clothes that are demanding. Who are these people who travel with irons?" Photo: The Business of Fashion. (http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/sep/07/suzy-menkes-vogue-london-fashion-week-interview)

Aside from being known as the Queen of Frontrows, she is known for her speed in writing. She used to produce up to 200.000 words per year in the Tribune. Here she is pictured with her laptop next to Bryanboy, the famous fashion blogger. Amidst the ocean of fashion bloggers, Suzy’s voice remains the relevant voice in fashion.

After every major fashion show, designers and fashionistas would still wait anxiously for Suzy’s review and asked each other the same question, “have you read Suzy’s?”

Hillary Alexander, Suzy Menkes and Anna Wintour –current Editor in Chief of American Vogue-, the daughter of Suzy’s former editor Charles Wintour –noneother than the father of Anna Wintour/the current Editor in Chief of American Vogue-. Source: (http://www.popsugar.com.au/celebrity/photo-gallery/14816151/image/14816173/Hilary-Alexander-Anna-Wintour-Suzy-Menkes)

As a trained historian, Suzy has published a number of books. One of her famous books is titled “The Royal Jewels” focusing the impeccable and priceless jewels belong to the British Royal Family.

The logo of Suzy shows her trademark pompadour style. One of Suzy’s most well known mantra of journalism is ““It isn’t good because you like it; you like it because it’s good.”

Source news and photos: Suzy Menkes (instagram: @suzymenkesvogue, twitter: @suzymenkesvogue), Vogue (http://www.vogue.co.uk/suzy-menkes), The Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/sep/07/suzy-menkes-vogue-london-fashion-week-interview)

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