suthukuzi, seen by suzy
Sunday was an exercise in distraction from what’s normally my coveted day of rest.
Got up early and ran to my dad’s house to put some software on his newly acquired G5. What was initially intended to be a 45 minute visit turned into two hours as I wrestled with drivers to make his scanner and printer work with Panther.
Returned home to pick up the boys and head to Sonic for a tasty brunch and then to Borders to replenish our readables at the house.
Got home in time for my ritual Sunday nap to be awoken later by a phone call from my mom’s friend Suzy Gorman who is undisputedly the top fashion photographer in St. Louis.
Apparently she had an emergency gig that a less reliable graphic designer had dropped the ball on. Not having anyone else to turn to, she called me in a panic.
She was leaving in 9 hours to deliver photos, CDs and press kits for her friend Suthukuzi Arozi, an African celebrity / singer who’s recently come to the US and is currently touring with The Lion King.
Feeling charitable, and a certain degree of mishpochah, I agreed to meet her at my office.
Suzy…. Half Chinese, half mixed anglo with long, straight jet black hair and a decidedly blue-collar sense of fashion. Mannerism? – Think Patti Smith.
She jumped from her vintage Suburban, materials in-hand, cursing the designer that had failed her.. Suzy’s got a mouth on her that would make the saltiest of sea dogs blush.
Between “cunt” “bitch” “fuck” – she was able to articulate the project and we got to work.
In the next four hours we cranked out a bio sheet, packaging and labeling for the stack of promotional CDs she had brought.
Between running prints we got a chance to shoot the shit, which was nice. We hadn’t really had any “hang out” time before.
By the time is was all said and done – I didn’t get my ass in bed till 2am. It’s o.k. though – because I got to cultivate a friendship with another unique person to add to my collection of strange friends.
Plus it’s reassuring professionally to have the city’s top fashion shooter owing me big time favors.
Between prints I showed her some of my photo work which she said she liked. (deeply flattering) – I explained most of my photos were for this trendy online journal thing which I don’t do.