Suzanne Perron, Designer

Designing and constructing clothes has been an integral part of Suzanne Perron’s life as long as she can remember. “When I was five years old I learned to sew...my mother and my grandmother both sewed and were very talented in design and construction.”

Their talent obviously rubbed off on Perron who got her first sewing machine from the Easter Bunny. “I made elastic waist skirts and I wore them to kindergarten,” she recalls. She was an extremely creative child and she was constantly active with her hands using them in many artistic endeavors. Drawing, painting, sculpting, collage. However it was her sewing skills that she considered to be the most unique.

As she was finishing high school and looking to college, Pratt Institute, a design school in New York City, caught her eye. She entered their high school talent search placing in the top 10. The partial scholarship awarded by Pratt was trumped by a full academic scholarship to LSU. Her LSU experience and a degree in fashion design prepared her for the next step, The Fashion Institute of Technology’s accelerated program in New York City.

Her time at the Fashion Institute of Technology was time well spent as she landed a job with Carolina Herrera who served as the critic for their student fashion show. “It was like a fairy-tale come true. Mrs. Herrera saw my work and told my teacher that if I were graduating I should interview with her. I headed there immediately. I was thrilled beyond belief. I was running down the street with my portfolio – I could not believe that it could happen. I started sewing when I was 5 and now I’m going to go work for Carolina Herrera!” Herrera was the first of many prestigious jobs and the beginning of a Fashion Avenue Career that spanned thirteen years.

Suzanne's next career stop was with Anna Sui. Anna Sui was a three year creative journey fueled by Anna's passion for vintage inspiration, rock and roll, and the current cultural environment. While working full time for Anna Sui, Suzanne's love and expertise in couture led her to freelancing for Chado Ralph Rucci. Suzanne freelanced for Ralph Rucci for six years. Ralph's commitment to excellence in design, fabrication, and fit was the motivation for a continued relationship. In the fall of 1998 Suzanne accepted the position of head draper and patternmaker with Christina Perrin. With Christina Perrin, Suzanne dressed celebrity clients and collaborated on the design of runway collections.

Suzanne joined the Vera Wang design team in the fall of 2001. Suzanne worked directly with Vera in the design development of both the ready-to-wear and bridal collections for four years. With Vera Suzanne dressed celebrities including Holly Hunter for the Oscars, Jennifer Lopez for her wedding to Marc Anthony, and Mariska Hargitay for the Golden Globes. Her work has also been seen on the covers of Vogue Magazine, Modern Bride, and Martha Stewart Weddings. Suzanne has maintained a strong relationship with Vera Wang and continues to freelance with her.

Perron most values her experience with Vera Wang. “Vera had a tremendous amount of respect for my talent and expertise. We worked together well. My eye for proportion and silhouette along with my expertise in fit and construction were perfect for Vera’s bridal collections.”

After developing quite an impressive body of work in New York and establishing a name for herself, Perron has recently come back to her roots. In the Spring of 2006 she established a custom bridal business in New Orleans. Perron admits that in the fashion world, New Orleans is not known for being cutting-edge or fashion forward; however, “we are know for extravagant balls, weddings, and parties. It makes sense to make beautiful romantic wedding gowns in a beautiful historic city.”