Known as a trailblazer of New York City nightlife, Susanne Bartsch returned to her native Switzerland to unveil her new exhibition, Transformation!, at the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich. The show, which opened on June 19, highlights more than 35 of Bartsch’s most iconic fashion looks and offers a glimpse into her legacy of style, performance, and creative community building.
Despite her signature dramatic appearance — a metallic blue outfit and a sculptural wig — Bartsch appeared grounded as she addressed the crowd gathered for the opening. “Before I say anything else, has anyone got any toilet paper? Because I’m going to cry,” she joked. Visibly emotional, she looked around at the audience and added, “I’m very moved. It’s really funny to see my work being intellectualized. It’s kind of incredible.”
The museum describes the exhibition as a journey through nightlife culture, showing how clothing, makeup, and space can shape identity and experience. The opening coincided with the beginning of the Zurich Pride Festival 2025. The city’s multi-day celebration of LGBTQ+ culture concluded with a parade and free outdoor concert, featuring popular Eurovision performers.
In the days leading up to the opening, Bartsch shared her reflections in an interview, describing the process of assembling the show as both challenging and emotional. “The hardest part was deciding what not to include,” she said. “When you see these outfits on mannequins, they come alive. Suddenly you remember everything that happened in that look.”
Born in Switzerland, Bartsch left the country early in life to find her identity through travel, creativity, and connection. “I would’ve left no matter where I was born because I felt there was more out there,” she said. “But coming back now, and being celebrated for what I left to become — it’s very special.”
Although the exhibition features looks spanning decades, Bartsch made it clear this was not simply a retrospective. “It’s not a grand finale,” she said. “If anything, it’s a look forward. More to come.”
The event producer and style icon recently appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, where she was warmly received. “It was fabulous. The queens were amazing. The lighting made me look incredible,” she said. Bartsch also expressed deep admiration for RuPaul, calling him a close friend and joking, “He should be the next President of the United States.”
Though famous for extravagant fashion, Bartsch revealed she packed light for her trip. “I had two bags. The clothes are small — corsets mostly. It’s the shoes and hair that take up the space,” she laughed.
Reflecting on how New York’s nightlife has changed, Bartsch pointed to the influence of technology and shifting habits. “People don’t have to go out anymore. You can live your life on your phone,” she said. “Restaurants close early now. It’s not a 24-hour city anymore.”
Still, Bartsch believes in the power of the dance floor to bring people together. “Nothing replaces that experience. It’s where people come alive in the moment, together, moving to the same beat. It’s almost spiritual,” she said. “That’s where fashion, music, and connection all meet.”
