Susanne Bartsch Brings new Exhibition 'Transformation!' to Switzerland
Susanne Bartsch at the Chelsea Hotel. She is wearing a look by The Blonds.
Susanne Bartsch at the launch of Bartschland, 2024. She is wearing a look by Mathu & Zaldy from the early 1990s.
New York, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International style icon and legendary nightlife figure Susanne Bartsch returns to her roots this summer with 'Susanne Bartsch – Transformation!', a vibrant exhibition opening June 20, 2025, at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, the leading Swiss design museum. Launching during Zurich Pride Festival, the exhibition spotlights Bartsch's trailblazing influence on fashion, performance, and LGBTQ+ culture.
About the exhibition: a night out in six actsThe exhibition 'Transformation!' at the leading Swiss design museum offers an immersive celebration of Susanne Bartsch's life, artistry, and influence, structured like a night out in six evocative chapters: 'Welcome!', 'Hair and Make-up', 'Getting Ready', 'Queuing', 'The Club' and 'Lounge'. Unveiling a full-scale 'club' and showcasing over 35 of Bartsch's most iconic outfits, each section captures the creative chaos and vibrant community of Bartschland. 'This exhibition is not just about clothes—it's about celebrating individuality, creativity, and community. It's such an honor and I'm thrilled to bring my world back to Switzerland, where my journey began' says Susanne Bartsch. Visitors are greeted by Bartsch herself in a life-sized welcome video, then guided through curated installations that highlight her collaborators, from makeup artists and costume designers to underground style icons. Archival videos, fashion ephemera, and rare photography reflect her enduring role as a cultural connector and LGBTQ+ advocate. The exhibition concludes with a reflective lounge showcasing footage of Susanne Bartsch's most iconic moments, including the Love Ball, her tributes to drag and ballroom culture, a catalog of around 120 signature looks presented by the Museum at FIT, and more
Susanne Bartsch: Swiss beginnings to global fameBorn in Switzerland, Bartsch left at 17 for London's punk and New Romantic scenes, later rising to prominence in 1980s New York. Her parties became epicenters of creativity and community, especially for queer artists and performers. With her legendary Love Ball in 1989, Bartsch mobilized the fashion world to support HIV/AIDS awareness, a cause she continues to champion today.
Swiss Textile Heritage: St. Gallen, from embroidery to the red carpetSusanne Bartsch's avant-garde fashion celebrates Switzerland's legacy of textile innovation, especially the craftsmanship of St. Gallen, a city renowned for its exquisite embroidery since the 19th century. Bartsch has influenced generations of trailblazing artists and fashion legends, including Thierry Mugler or Lady Gaga, who wore a gown made with St. Gallen embroidery by Nicolas Jebran at the 2019 Met Gala. The city's artisans have long dressed royalty and celebrities alike, most notably, Michelle Obama wore a custom Isabel Toledo ensemble featuring St. Gallen lace at her husband's 2009 presidential inauguration.
Zürich Pride FestivalThe exhibition opens on the same day as the Zurich Pride Festival (June 20–21, 2025) the biggest pride celebration in Switzerland.
Instagram Live with Susanne Bartsch - win a trip to Switzerland!On June 5 at 12 PM EST, Susanne Bartsch and Out Magazine Editor-in-Chief Daniel Reynolds discuss the exhibition Transformation! and raffle a trip to Switzerland on Out's Instagram live.
Susanne Bartsch – Transformation!June 20 – December 7, 2025Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10 am–5 pm, Thu until 8 pmMuseum für Gestaltung Zürich, Ausstellungsstrasse 60Media & partner preview: June 19, 2025, 11 amExclusive Opening: Thursday, June 19, 2025, 7 pmCurated by Meret Ernst with co-curators Susanne Bartsch and Waleed KhairzadaMore Info: www.museum-gestalung.ch
Press Materials & ImagesDownload images hereAccess press material here
About Museum für Gestaltung Zürich The Museum für Gestaltung Zürich is the leading Swiss museum for design and visual communication. Its internationally significant collection comprises over half a million objects. Through its three Zurich locations, traveling exhibitions, and extensive digital offerings including eMuseum.ch with over 125,000 works, the museum makes design accessible to a global audience and pioneers digital curation.
Press Contact:Divine Bonga, Head of Communications North AmericaSwitzerland TourismPhone: +1 212 757 5944Email: divine.bonga@switzerland.comPress materials available at: MySwitzerland.com/media
About Switzerland TourismSwitzerland Tourism (ST) is the national marketing and promotion organization for Switzerland as a holiday, travel, and convention destination. With a presence in 23 global markets and headquartered in Zurich, ST collaborates closely with the Swiss tourism industry to implement demand-driven campaigns that showcase the country's rich diversity from majestic mountains and pristine nature to vibrant cities and cultural experiences. Funded through a combination of public and private resources, ST promotes sustainable tourism development and aims to inspire travelers year-round with authentic and memorable Swiss experiences.
Attachments
Susanne Bartsch at the Chelsea Hotel. She is wearing a look by The Blonds.
Susanne Bartsch at the launch of Bartschland, 2024. She is wearing a look by Mathu & Zaldy from the early 1990s.
CONTACT: Divine Bonga Switzerland Tourism 212-757-5944 divine.bonga@switzerland.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
43 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Quoting Conan O'Brien, rogue sign in Charlestown compares Zakim Bridge to part of male anatomy
Advertisement 'I never saw this bridge growing up,' he said in the segment. 'You want to remind me of my childhood, make a shirt that shows my father knocking a hot dog out of my hand because Jim Rice dropped a fly ball.' The bridge was built nearly two decades after he left Boston for late-night fame, O'Brien said, carrying 'just a stick with a little bundle on the back.' He added that the design, completed in 2003, is 'very phallic.' On Wednesday, passersby said they hadn't given the Zakim, which carries Interstate 93 over the Charles River, a second thought — at least until they saw the sign. Declan Rose, 20, said he didn't see the resemblance 'until you mentioned it.' 'And now I do see it,' he said. Advertisement Adrian Lamar, visiting from Grand Rapids, Mich., said he passed by the sign twice before he realized what it was getting at. 'The first time I looked at it and read it, I didn't fill in the symbols,' he said. 'And the second time, I tried to make up a happy word. Because I think the bridge looks great.' Some Charlestown residents saw the sign as a source of amusement, like 71-year-old Hal Rudnick, who said that, in this day and age, 'we can all use a laugh.' But Rudnick admitted that the sign might make for some uncomfortable conversations on the busy span, which connects Charlestown and the North End and runs alongside the Freedom Trail. Julie and Adrian LaMar, of Grand Rapids, Mich., pose with the sign featuring a quote by Conan O'Brien. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff 'There's a lot of tourists here, and a lot of tourists got young kids,' he said. 'And now they gotta explain what [the sign] says and what it means, and I don't know if this is the place for that.' At least some think it should be taken down. 'I don't think it's an appropriate sign,' said John Pezzuto, 70. 'Especially when little kids are going by.' Pezzuto, who said he often crosses the bridge, seemed skeptical of the sign's message. 'I don't know,' he said. 'I guess it could look like that.' It's not clear who put up the sign, which looks quite official and at least somewhat expensive to make, or when. City officials did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday, nor did the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which helped build the Bill Russell Bridge. Representatives for O'Brien and for Team Coco, his production company, also did not return a request for comment. Completed as part of the Big Dig, the Zakim Bridge was hailed as an engineering marvel upon its completion. It was designed by Swiss architect Christian Menn, along with Miguel Rosales of Boston, as the alternative to a gargantuan interchange of 18 to 20 lanes, an idea that state planners ultimately abandoned due to community opposition. Advertisement Menn has since died; Rosales did not return a request for comment. Rudnick said that he watched Conan O'Brien occasionally but admitted that 'his humor's not my humor.' Jokes aside, he said he didn't agree with 'what it's saying' about the bridge. 'Tell Conan to get out of Brookline, come over to Charlestown, and we'll talk about what he thinks of the bridge,' he joked. Lamar, visiting from Michigan, suggested that the observation could only be made by a comedian like O'Brien. 'Whatever Conan tried to put into that, I didn't get it,' he said, laughing. 'Conan has some issues.' Pat Greenhouse of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Camilo Fonseca can be reached at
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Woman Tattoos 'Scannable' Red Bull Barcode on Her Forearm but Reveals It's Not Actually Her Favorite Drink (Exclusive)
NEED TO KNOW A Swiss woman got a Red Bull barcode tattooed on her forearm — and it works in retail locations across the country At the time, Dew was working retail and had to strategically place the tattoo so she wouldn't accidentally scan it while ringing up customers "I have A LOT of tattoo plans," she shares. "If I had the money, I would be covered all over"Dew, a 22-year-old Swiss woman, quickly went viral on TikTok when she shared a video of herself buying a Red Bull. But instead of scanning the can's barcode, Dew whipped out her upper forearm and scanned her tattoo instead — and sure enough, the sale went through. Now, she's opening up to PEOPLE about the tattoo's functionality and the wide range of opinions it seems to evoke. It started as a joke — Dew, whose hair is dyed purple and whose skin is already populated with tattoos, occasionally encountered rude people who dubbed her appearance as "emo" and asked if she had "barcodes," or scars on her arms. Dew wanted a funny and effective reply to those comments, and thus, she chose the Red Bull barcode. In February 2024, around the time she got the tattoo, Dew was working a retail job and often manned the checkout, she tells PEOPLE. She decided to get the tattoo close to the inside of her elbow, so she could scan it when she wanted but not have to worry about accidentally scanning it while working, she says. Contrary to popular belief, though, Red Bull isn't Dew's favorite caffeine source. "I like Red Bull a lot, [though] I do admit its not my favorite energy drink," she shares. "However, Red Bull is quite silly and I thought this tattoo is silly, so why not?" In terms of function, the bar code does work consistently, and is accepted at retail locations across Switzerland, she revealed in a TikTok following her viral video. Sometimes she has to pull or spread her skin out, but otherwise it's "pretty easily scannable," she says. Her family likes the tattoo, mostly because there's a worm that wraps around the barcode as a fun decoration. She says the worm is actually inspired by a "silly doodle" that her sister once made that she adapted to fit in with the tattoo. Her friends are supportive for the most part, while others see the choice as "a bit insane." In addition to the barcode, Dew also has a tattoo of a screaming alpaca, as well as a lemon with the inscription, "lemonade 100% lemon, 0% sugar, 0% ade, just Lemon." She also has a little "L" on her left thumb and an "R" on her right thumb, plus a Legend of Zelda design and a burning moth. "I have A LOT of tattoo plans," she shares. "If I had the money, I would be covered all over." Read the original article on People
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Cracker Barrel Change Leaves Fans Cold: 'I Hate It'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cracker Barrel is facing backlash after it rolled out newly remodeled locations that trade its signature rustic decor for a more stripped-down look. Newsweek contacted Cracker Barrel for comment via email on Monday outside regular working hours. Why It Matters In June, Cracker Barrel faced backlash after celebrating Pride Month, with fans arguing that the brand was becoming too "woke," and the remodel has elicited similar reactions. Across the country, brands have increasingly faced conservative backlash over perceived "wokeness," with high-profile examples—such as the Bud Light boycott—fueling a broader culture-war trend against corporate diversity and inclusion efforts. What To Know Cracker Barrel, a restaurant chain based in Tennessee, has begun rolling out remodels of some locations around the country, updating its nostalgic, country-style decor into a brighter, more modern style. On X, a user posted a video showing the makeover of one branch, which sparked widespread backlash on the platform. "At a remodeled Cracker Barrel. I hate it," the poster wrote. Several users have complained that the new decor is too bright and plain, and that it detracts from the "traditional" and "homemade" feel of the old locations. "Cracker Barrel used to look like Gramma & Pawpaw's old barn house. Now it looks like OCD Aunt Karen dropped $10K at Hobby Lobby," one X user wrote. A Cracker Barrel in Indianapolis on June 24, 2016. A Cracker Barrel in Indianapolis on June 24, 2016. Getty Images "Before Cracker Barrel had a homemade feel," another user commented, adding that after the remodel it felt "like an airport soulless place." Conservative political commentator Tim Pool also criticized the remodel, saying on his podcast, "This epitomizes everything that's gone wrong in this country, is this remodel." He added that the new decor stripped "any actual tangible identity" from Cracker Barrel and made it look like "a Brooklyn cafe or coffee shop." Julie Felss Masino, the president and CEO of Cracker Barrel, spoke with CNBC in 2024 about rolling out remodels as part of a plan to bring more customers to the brand. "How do we make sure that we appeal to people who love us because we want them to keep loving us, but how do we welcome even more people into the brand?" she said. Commenting on the initial customer response to the remodels, she said: "They're saying things like, 'Lighter, brighter, fresher, feels like my Cracker Barrel.' But they're also saying: 'It's still the warm hospitality. It's still the food that I love. The decor is still on the walls.' They love it." While social media has been inundated with criticisms of the new style, some users have said they don't mind the changes. "Honestly, not as bad as advertised. You don't even notice since the food is good," one X user wrote, adding in a follow-up post: "The old fashion feel is still there. They just changed the color of the walls." What People Are Saying Cracker Barrel, responding to criticisms of the new decor, told the New York Post in June: "We deeply appreciate the passion our guests have for our brand and are thankful for the thoughtful feedback they continue to share. "The updates underway in our stores are inspired by the voices of both our guests and team members, and reflect our ongoing commitment to making our stores feel brighter and even more inviting, all while preserving the warm, country hospitality and charm that define us." What Happens Next Amid slumping sales and stock decline, Cracker Barrel's CEO said last year that the chain was undergoing a three-year plan to make the brand more "relevant," which included renovations and updates to the menu. The restaurants will likely continue with their transformation plan, and it remains to be seen whether customer backlash to the new decor will influence the changes.
