If you’ve ever lived (or partied in) New York City, then you likely already know the name Susanne Bartsch. The legendary Swiss event producer is responsible for throwing some of the most legendary parties in the city; She’s been driving the NYC nightlife scene forward since the 1980s, after all—cultivating safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community to gather and express themselves through style. Now, a new book from Abrams Books, out today, is delving into Bartsch’s incredible (and glamorous!) life through photos.
Her new —titled —traces some of Bartsch’s best parties and events from the 1980s to present day. “It’s my life in stills, really,” Bartsch tells . “I wanted to keep it light and explore it through the decades.
The main problem was what to put in the book—there was way too much stuff!” Among the highlights? Tales from the raucous , where Bartsch hosted monthly parties in the ’80s, or her recent , which aim to raise awareness and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. Through it all, Bartsch also spotlights some of her closest collaborators over the years—from RuPaul to Amanda Lepore, to the new crop of drag superstars such as Aquaria and Gottmik. In honor of the book’s release, chatted with Bartsch below about how New York City nightlife has changed (put those phones down!), what inspires her glitzy party attire (hint: she DIYs a lot of her looks!), and where she stores all of her incredible wigs, too.
To be honest, it wasn’t my idea at a.
