Episode 75 - Susan Khalje - Sewing’s Equivalent to Gourmet Cooking
Susan Khalje joins us for this episode of Sew & So to take us into the world of couture sewing. Owner of the eponymous Susan Khalje Couture, she is also the longest contributing author to Threads Magazine. Author of Bridal Couture and Linen and Cotton she also hosted Sew Much More on HGTV, teaches internationally, and hosts annual trips for groups of couture enthusiasts to Paris and London.
(1:39) Susan learned to sew in high school when sewing was a part of the school curriculum…her grandmother helped too!
(2:57) The first few things she sewed were definitely products of the times! She explains…
(4:10) What exactly is couture? “Sewing’s Equivalent to Gourmet Cooking!” And…she explains why loving the entire process is so very important.
(5:20) Chez Cez et Bez where Susan trained was a turning point for her. She tells us the story of her transformation. She, Cez and Bez formed a trio of powerful committed couture sewists. And the pace…it was “lovely” and exhilarating!
(8:24) Post Cez et Bez Susan went to a ready to wear company knowing that if she wanted to be on her own, she needed to learn more about the business. And…learn she did!
(10:09) Susan lived abroad for many years in Afghanistan then Amsterdam. She tells us about this experience and her ultimate return to the States. First, there was a call to Nina Hyde Fashion Editor at the Washington Post to seek career counsel. This started her down the road of wedding dress couture.
(12:24) Her escape from Afghanistan turned out to be more than she has anticipated – she explains.
(13:23) Susan has a wonderful process for designing wedding dress couture…she walks us through it all!
(16:42) And her favorite creation…? 17th century lace and a detachable train.
(18:24) Who were her well known clients? Mrs. Rockefeller, Lauren Bacall, Kitty Carlisle, Mrs. Richard Rodgers to name a few! Cez et Bez were quite the designers…Susan tells us about them.
(19:53) Susan shares her feelings about couture sewing and why she loves it so very much.
(21:13) She takes us through the 5 elements of couture sewing. Design, Fabric, Fit/Proportion, Engineering, and Construction.
(22:47) Susan and Kenneth D. King did a You Tube video called “the ethics of wearing vintage couture.” She explains why they felt the necessity to do this!
(25:35) Why does Susan say she’s a good example of figuring out how to carve your own path and do what you love to do? And she explains how her international field trips began.
(29:20) Susan has a sewing club that has created quite the community – so she takes us through its creation… and the myriad ways to stay connected.
(33:32) Susan hosts international couture trips to Paris, in fact she just returned from one. Walk the streets of Paris with her and she takes us through their adventures.
She talks about the company Leclerc whose influence has transcended the ages. And…the art of giftwrapping!
(40:06) What’s next for Susan? More of the same for sure…with a small twist! Her dream?! To have shared what she has been lucky enough to live.
(42:11) And, what didn’t we ask?! Listen here!!
(42:47) To reach Susan, to www.susankhalje.com and susan@susankhalje.com
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