Susanne Bartsch Presents: Bartschland

Susanne Bartsch emerged from Switzerland to captivate London's avant-garde scene before leaving an indelible mark on 1980s New York. Her iconic NYC boutique, the first to feature designers like Vivienne Westwood, ignited a transformative fashion-cultural movement. Devastated by AIDS in the early '90s, she conceived the Love Ball, raising millions for those affected and inspiring Madonna's song “Vogue.” Hailed as the "nightlife equivalent of a couture label" by the New York Times, Susanne Bartsch's legendary parties persist in the cultural zeitgeist. Dismantling traditional norms that fostered inclusivity in a vibrant subculture, these events have maintained their influence and significance four decades later. A blockbuster museum exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Technology, coupled with the documentary Susanne Bartsch: On Top, has firmly cemented her impact and enduring legacy in fashion and popular culture.

This leads readers chronologically through each year of Susanne Bartsch's reign as New York City's "Queen of Clubs? until present day. For each year, Bartsch provides commentary focusing first on a snapshot of her life at the time, then showcasing exquisite accounts of her most iconic party that year, and finally, an introduction to a close friend and member of Bartsch's eclectic, artistic community?from drag queens to dancers to designers