Suzie Kondi, Designer & Founder of Suzie Kondi

Before we get to Suzie (not the podcast needs foreplay, but it never hurts) I decided to go into the black hole of my Instagram post archive to see if I could find any selfies in Juicy Couture (you’ll understand later). While I was unsuccessful, as I later realised my Juicy days were long before the creation of Instagram (is this what it feels like to be getting “old”?) — I uncovered other memories that were related to Suzie in another way! My first Aussie BFF, Jess Carter! We got on immediately as we share the same first name, and her last name is that of my brother.

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Jessie Joan Chase on Instagram: “The trip down memory lane by swiping is highly recommended. The whole thing was inspired by my @substackinc today, including my podcast with @suziekondi 🤍 I talked about my Aussie bff @vewg, things I’ve bought / wanna buy re @apc_paris @bode etc etc, mentioned an older podcast that I appreciate @lauravidrequin and share some cool places Suzie loves like @nineorchard @barpitti_official @sobak.han @9thstvintage etc. Look, read and listen. Give me your feed back ❣️ The photo is by @lisa_lys_ ❤️‍🔥 #suziekondi #memorylane #mysubstack”

January 14, 2024

Unfortunately our memories are covered with horrible Instagram filters (those were the days..), but there was no shortage of good times, iced coffee lattes from Sant Ambreous and day trips to Rockaway Beach. We met working together at A.P.C. and she later became my mom’s fashion assistant before returning to Australia.

Fashion obsession(s) of the moment

While we didn’t love everything at A.P.C., we definitely spent most of our pay on new items (and on the lattes at Sant Ambreous). A.P.C. was my first job in Paris and will always hold a special place in my heart. Ironically, I have been on a hunt for pieces from the Jane Birkin collaboration (a little too late) and even found the scarf on sale for 20 euros at Le Bon Marché yesterday. I’ll go into detail about things I’ve bought later (a lot of treasure hunting for this collaboration FYI).

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A.P.C. on Instagram: “A.P.C. x Jane Birkin Interaction #16 Launching today. @janebirkinoff @jeantouitou @apc_paris “Jane Birkin knows how to dress. This becomes obvious when you talk to her. She also knows how to give a very literary dimension to her attraction to this material or that shape. For example, when talking about corduroy, she’ll talk about how she admired and was intrigued by the young French people wearing corduroy trousers in London. And it’s almost like the start of a novel. She’s also constantly on the lookout for a man’s suit “in which you can show up at a party without feeling ashamed of being, as the saying goes, a sheep in wolf’s clothing!”, and trousers with deep pockets that make a handbag unnecessary. We worked at trying to perfect all her daily outfits with her and under her guidance. I admit that, on the surface, it doesn’t look like anything special, because there’s nothing spectacular about it, except – using Jane’s own words – good basic materials that age well, because she likes to keep her clothing for years, and finishes that live up to their name. In reality, she was the only person we could have done this kind of work with, which is, at the same time, a kind of return to our roots in terms of the Old A.P.C. work method.” Jean Touitou David jumper Brigitte trousers Jane bag Available in stores and at apc.fr Photography: @dominiqueissermann Art direction and styling: #AnastasiaBarbieri #APC #JaneBirkin
#APCxJaneBirkin #Interaction16”

January 14, 2024

Kivvi, another BFF I met via A.P.C., recently started working for bode, which I would say is my new official obsession. Here’s Laura Vidrequin wearing a stunning bode jacket, recently featured on Leandra’s substack.

An easy way to look like you tried without actually trying

Laura’s been on my podcast, you should listen to her episode! I really like her style too.

Things I’ve recently purchased but I’m not mad about:

• The A.P.C. x Jane Birkin scarf I mentioned earlier

• The A.P.C. x Jane Birkin Raphia bag (found it for 90 euros, don’t ask me how)

• The A.P.C. x JW Anderson tea set

• La Veste wet bathing suit holder in Terry cloth (very Suzie tbh)

• Khaite Blecker Boots

Podcast

Drum roll please … I’m pleased to introduce you to Suzie! She is the founder of Suzie Kondi, the absolutely fabulous New York based brand. Suzie Kondi sailed into New York Harbor from Australia after 13 months at sea on a 46’ sailboat and has since recreated the environment of her upbringing through her eponymous brand. Having grown up in the folds of her mother’s fabric store, Suzie naturally funneled her personal heritage into the texture of her line by melding her worlds of beachy bohemia and downtown sophistication in a range of elegantly easy and incredibly versatile day-to-night pieces.

As Suzie says, her brand is more than a label – it’s an attitude: Don’t change for anyone … not planning on it! Thanks Suz. Let’s get on to her favorite NYC places.

Suzie Kondi’s NYC

• Nine Orchard & Corner Bar — Hotel and Restaurant right by the shop. One of Suzie’s favorite dinner spots 

• Sobak — Little Korean restaurant by the shop, best lunch 

• Bar Pitti — One of Suzie’s favorite dinner spots 

• 9th Street Vintage — For shopping in the East Village 

• Dutch Flower Line — Flower shop Suzie loves

Speaking of Australia, tune into the podcast next week for Alice Pilate’s story. This content creator lived down under for 4 years and had no intention of coming back until she had to. I can’t wait for you to learn more.

Reminder, this is the last Substack that will be free. Starting next week, there will be a paywall for the Social Media tips & the podcast.

xx,

JJ