Ology got the chance to talk with Susan about all of the amazing work she's currently doing. And the modeling she continues to take part in? Well, they don't call her 'The Body' for nothing!
OLOGY: You have so much going on. I'm so excited to interview you!
SUSAN HOLMES: Likewise! Thanks.
Could you talk about what the swimwear industry is like out there now and your latest collection?
I've been working like a crazy woman for many years. Right now all of us swimwear designers--it's our crunch time. With regards to not only our new collection but also Sports Illustrated. Which in our industry, it's the Bible per say of the swimsuit buyers manual for the year. It's on newsstands for a year. It's a big one and kind of the benchmark for editors and buyers and costumers. This year we are seeing tons of red on the runway so that's a big happening. It's a statement color. There are many different shades of red from coral to a blue red to what we call an oxblood, which is a very dark brick, dark red. It's a very British-burberry type of red. Also, touches of neon...I did some cute feminine lace suits and neon was stunning on it.
I'm kind of in the niche of a rock and roll designer. Therefore, I do a lot of embellishment studding. People kind of gravitate toward my line. A lot of my hit selling suits that have appeared in and on the cover of Sports Illustrated are studded suits.
What's your inspiration when it comes to designing?
It's kind of a fusion of a lot of different things. I'm very blessed and fortunate from being a high fashion model for many years. I get to travel around the globe often whether it's South America or Cuba or Asia. I'm blessed because I get to see a lot of different cultures. And you know just different environmental landscapes...So it's very inspiring. I'm very lucky to take that into consideration when I'm inspired by different colors or styles but also of course the rock and roll element too. That's just kind of in my blood at this point with being a rock wife and being a general fan of music and rock and roll.
What do you think makes your line so unique?
They're made in the USA. And most swimwear is not made in America and I think now more than ever American's need to buy American. If you have a choice between A and B and you like both, buy American! When the holidays come around I try to buy American. My favorite website is by my friend Daryl Hannah...everything on the website is American made. I'm proud that I'm an American made swimwear company. And we donate a portion of our net proceeds to charities. We give a lot to various charities. Like the Surfrider foundation, which keeps our beaches and oceans cleaner, the Red Cross and the National Children Leukemia Foundation.
Daryl Hannah. The actress and activist?
Yeah. She's really sweet. She always makes a point to stand out. We can all learn a lot from her making a difference. She wakes up in the morning and thinks of a way she can make the world a better place.
That's fantastic how you give back like that. Would you ever consider designing jewelry too?
Yeah, I guess I can see branching out and being a quote un-quote life style line. I remember after my first big Fashion Show in L.A. I was put on the phone with [People's Revolution founder] Kelly Cutrone. She's a whip cracker. She was like, 'you need to branch out and develop a resort or a lifestyle line: accessories, sunglasses, perfume.' And that's great but I have a lot of things I'm juggling at the moment. I think I would have to collaborate with someone because I myself couldn't do all the necessary work that would need to be done.
It must be exciting to see celebrities wearing your high-end swimwear. Who are some specifics?
Yeah, I'm very flattered! I didn't know I would sell one bathing suit let alone have great, beautiful celebs wearing them. So I'm very grateful. Let's see who can I name drop here? [Laughs] Kate Hudson, Elle Macpherson, Tyra Banks, Daryl Hannah, Anna Kournikova, Gwen Stefani. Fergie--I just sent her a bunch of stuff. She's actually a fan of the show too. I ran into her at her private birthday party and I'm going over to her like 'Oh my God Fergie!' and she's like 'Oh my God I love Married to Rock! You're so cute on there!' We exchanged info and she asked for me to send her some suits. It was really funny and sweet. Who else? Heidi Klum. I should have this memorized, but there are a slew of them.
How do you find out who's wearing what?
It's all networking. I've had people like Denise Richards go into a shop like Planet Blue in Malibu and buy one of my suits. But then, I know Tyra. We're friends from modeling so when I was creative director for a day and a judge on America's Next Top Model I just brought her some suits as a gift for having me on the show. So it can be personal or it can be a lot of time through stylists or magazines or plain old shopping.
Is there any celebrity you'd like to style or like their style in general?
Hmm. I mean Stella McCartney I adore. I like her because she's also vegan. She cares about the environment and the animals and she gives back. She's classy and cool. I love Lauren Scott. She has the whole elegant rock and roll glamour. But celebs, let's see. I love Kate Hudson. I'm looking forward to her new jewelry line coming out with my friends from Chrome Hearts. I know they're collaborating on a gorgeous jewelry line...I love Sofia Vergara. She has a woman's body--boobs, a small waist and butt. She's just so womanly. And she knows how to dress and look chic and fantastic.
Have you kept in contact with a lot of friends who are models besides Tyra?
She's beyond busy as am I. We have a mutual respect for one another and we don't talk everyday but we're acquaintances. I'll see her on the red carpet at the Grammy's and we'll chat or she'll have me on her show or I'll send her a letter with some suits. We grab a moment where we can. As far as famous supermodels, the ones I see the most are Cindy Crawford and Niki Taylor.
All of these wonderful accomplishments of course stem from your international modeling career. I mean you earned the title 'The Body!' Is designing now your main focus?
I model occasionally on direct bookings. I wear a lot of hats like most modern day women. Here we are approaching 2012 and I have my mom hat on, I'm a wife, I'm an animal lover, I'm a designer, I'm a model. I just feel blessed that anyone asks me to model for them.
Let's talk about Married to Rock. What was that like?
I personally had a lot of fun. I've been in front of the camera modeling since high school and doing live runway shows around the world and doing a lot of TV stuff for FOX News for various styling segments. So I really enjoy being in front of the camera. I'm used to it and Duff is too. It's definitely a show a bit more on the girly side...I didn't know what to expect and I didn't know if I could trust the editing or how I would be portrayed. You always want to tread with caution.
Are you currently filming a second season? Would you want to?
Season one is still airing worldwide. It's aired in over 57 countries. It's still on the table but we don't know as of yet. But yeah, I think it would be great to have another season because I was very cautious with season one. I came from the Vogue modeling world of high fashion and sometimes a lot of these shows, especially when they intertwine rock and roll, they want to portray the cheesy side of it. I wanted to try and avoid that as much as possible so I treaded with a lot of caution.
That's definitely understandable. Now let's talk about your book! It sounds really interesting.
I'm working on two. One is more of a labor of love book on all my rock star couple friends and their wisdom and insight into the funny yet glamorous all romantic world of rock and roll. I've interviewed everyone from Aerosmith, Green Day, Van Halen, Weezer--the couples in the bands, how they met, and how they make it work. I interviewed all of them. It's going to go to a good charity. It's more like a labor of love yearbook with all our rock friends. I can see it being sold at Barneys or Urban Outfitters. Each couple submits their own pictures, their wedding photos and current photos.
So when you say Aerosmith, what couple are you talking about?
I was friends with Steven [Tyler] and Teresa [Barrick] but mid-book they separated so that went out the window. But Joe Perry and Billie Perry--they've been together for over 24 years. They're a beautiful couple. They have a lot of insight and they are private. I don't think they've ever done an interview like this before.
When is it coming out?
I don't know because that one's going on the back burner. I've been working on this other book, a novel. Its been taking all my effort because I've never done a novel before. It's intertwining my real life experiences with stories I might have read or touched upon in the modeling world and rock and roll world. So think Devil Wears Prada to Get Him to the Greek...It will be a fun interesting book and I think you'll have fun trying to decide who's who in the book. There's a Guns N' Roses story and a Top Model story in there.
You clearly have so many passions. Could you spare three more? What are your three Ologies?
Well definitely family. I always put family first. Creativity with me writing a book and designing a swimsuit line. I always at the end of the day, I always have to have a creative outlet, whether it's writing a book or my swimsuit line or baking pie. [Laughs] It keeps me going. And fashion.
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Susan has so much going on, it's hard to keep up!
Susan and Duff will be headed to Fox 5 in San Diego on Oct. 26 for The Morning Show. Duff will follow up with a signing appearance for his new memoir "It's So Easy: And Other Lies" at Warwick's. The couple live part-time in both California and Seattle and have two daughters together, Grace, 14, and Mae, 11.
Source: Gosipology.com
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