Near the end of summer, I visited Suzie Kondi at her charming store in Amagansett, a rustic cottage-style storefront nestled on Main Street. Suzie welcomed me wearing her latest creation, The Mimi Mini Dress from her Autumn/Winter 23 collection, a short navy dress with lantern-style sleeves in her trademark velour material. She accessorized with an assortment of gold rings, necklaces, and bracelets, which jangled together as she recalled how her beginnings in Australia eventually led her to New York City, where she founded her eponymous brand that embraces confidence and ease for women.
Born in Queensland to immigrant parents from Greece and Albania, her early inspiration blossomed within the walls of her mother’s fabric store. As a child, Suzie yearned for store-bought clothing, only to hear her mother say, “I’ll make it for you.” This spirit cultivated Suzie’s love for designing and sewing her own pieces. Now, as a mother herself, when her 12-year-old daughter, Stevie, asks for back-to-school clothes, Suzie finds herself repeating these same words. It's about more than being able to sew your own dress, she emphasizes, it’s about being able to take care of yourself.
Ever since she was little, Suzie embraced her unique style, refusing to conform. “If people were wearing one earring in each ear, I wanted to wear three in one ear,” she joked. Her unwavering sense of self and determination, balanced with her playful, lighthearted approach, continue to set Suzie and her brand apart.
Indeed, it was her resilience and willingness to take risks that brought her to New York from Australia, embarking on a 13-month sailing expedition aboard a 46-foot sailboat. On board, she learned the importance of saying ‘yes’ in the face of fear. Inspired by the open sea, she began to crochet her own swimwear, which laid the foundation for her brand today.
Immediately after Suzie’s arrival in New York City, she hopped off the sailboat, hailed a cab, and made her way to Saks Fifth Avenue. She fondly recounted the moment a doorman opened the taxi door and greeted her, “Welcome to Saks.” Filled with excitement, she grabbed his hand and replied, “It’s a pleasure to be here.” She’d always dreamed of coming to the city and couldn't wait to embrace this new chapter.
Suzie Kondi Amagansett
At trade shows in the city, Suzie quickly began to make a name for herself and her brand. At the heart of her brand’s mantra lies the motto: “Don’t change for anyone.” Suzie steadfastly adheres to this principle, determined to empower her clients to be their unapologetic selves in any situation. Ultimately, she aims to design a wardrobe that allows women to effortlessly transition from walking the dog and going to the office to doing school pick-up and meeting friends for dinner.
Suzie’s advice to her younger self is succinct yet powerful: embrace fear and take action. As a teenager myself, this feels especially relevant, as it can be so easy to back down from experiences and challenges out of fear of failing or embarrassing yourself. Suzie stressed that leaning into those moments of uncertainty have been “the difference maker for her on every occasion.” Each conversation, even our interview, she explained, carries the potential for profound learning and personal growth. “This is the beauty of America. People want to talk. And they want to help. And that's rare.”
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