About

biography

On any given day, you'd find designer, Susana Monaco in her loft, sketching and draping and constantly striving to perfect her skill at flattering the female form. During the day, the picture window behind her floods the room with sunlight, illuminating her creativity as it permeates the seamless, open space. Wearing her uniform, she is a blank slate, allowing her designs to take the spotlight.

Susana was born in New Jersey. Her parents had immigrated to the United States from Italy and made sure that their European heritage was ever present. Growing up surrounded by art and sculpture, it sparked her ardor for color and classic lines. She found that she could take these elements of artistry and sculpt them to her own vision. Susana's father was an engineer and tailor. He owned an apparel manufacturing company which he started in the 1960’s where he made women’s suits. Susana gained full exposure to the ins and outs of tailoring a garment at an early age and by the time she reached her early teens, she was proficient in the technical details.

At seventeen years old, Susana moved to New York City where she studied design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Susana burned with a need to create. If she wasn’t studying, she was sketching, and her early designs were met with rave reviews from her friends and peers. After graduating, Susana moved to Miami where, infused with the warmth of the tropics, she showcased her collection to a number of boutiques. The verdict was unanimous – they loved it. Propelled by her success, Susana moved back to New York in 2000 to open her own showroom.

The Susana Monaco collection runs the gamut in contemporary designer clothing. Creating everything from dresses, to outerwear, to swimsuits, but knits are Susana’s specialty. Knits allow Susana the freedom to sculpt the female body, highlight its attractions and showcase its beauty. Her goal for her clothing has always been to embrace the current trends while suggesting something previously unheard of – a distinction that becomes an inevitability.

Susana’s designs have garnered worldwide recognition. Her loyal following is drawn to the high quality fabrics, meticulous attention to detail, and the clothing’s timeless appeal. Over the years, Susana Monaco Inc. has garnered a sizable following of both celebrities and industry experts. Despite her global success, Monaco remains loyal to her roots. Her father has since passed his factory down to his children, but it remains within the family and produces a portion of each collection. Everything goes back to that factory and the art that first introduced Susana to the possibilities.