Inner Chic celebrates the latest jewellery collection by Alaïa-clad creative Suzanne Syz
After witnessing the success of Suzanne Syz’s ‘Art Jewels’ show, I’m happy to report that the super spenders haven’t entirely deserted Paris. Suzanne’s precious baubles, including the diamond and enamel, layered ‘Smarties’ necklace, the ‘Barbwire loop’ earrings and emerald ring nested in twisted pearls, rushed off the shelves. True, it was an elite crowd and the event was held at Pierre Passebon’s Galerie du Passage, followed by an exclusive dinner at Mathis. Still, major credit has to be given to the copper-haired and Swiss-born Suzanne. Gorgeous and gregarious, she’s done her research and transformed the high end jewelry market. The big fear behind wearing important gems is looking old and pompous. However, not so with Suzanne’s Inner Chic creations which are superbly made, yet as bright and playful as she is.
"Suzanne’s Inner Chic creations are superbly made, yet as bright and playful as she is"
All of Suzanne’s work is showcased in her book, just published by Assouline. Filled with photographs of her homes, influential artists and clients like Gloria Thurn und Taxis, she reveals that her lawyer father used to paint in his spare time and her mother did fashion sketches. Well, it has all rubbed off on Suzanne whose curves spill out of Azzedine Alaïa and who learnt about photography when working on Guy Bourdin’ shoots. Albeit a collector of Helmut Newton and Steven Meisel’s work, she actually feels that Bourdin “was the father of contemporary fashion photography” and “a precursor to what is happening today.”
I first met Suzanne in 1995. It was for W magazine and Simon de Pury, then at Sotheby’s Geneva, introduced us. “She’s very flashy,” he purred. Suzanne, dressed in baby blue Gianni Versace, was then living in a farmhouse, which boasted paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Julian Schnabel and Andy Warhol. That said, Suzanne was beyond bubbly and sweet and has remained so.
Text by Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni
Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni is a Paris-based British writer who covers fashion and lifestyle as well as being the author of Sam Spiegel – The Biography of A Hollywood Legend, Understanding Chic, an essay from the Paris Was Ours anthology, the soon-to-be released Tino Zervudachi – A Portfolio – as well as the Chanel book, for Assouline's fashion series.
Robert Beck is former New Yorker currently based in Paris. A former classical dancer, his book for children titled "A Bunny in the Ballet" will be available early in 2014 from Scholastic, Inc.
