Face-Off

It should. She is in the news these days for being the diva of design. Stylist and set director for films like Mira Nair8217;s Kama Sutra, Firdaus Kanga8217;s Trying to Grow, Sunhil Sippy8217;s Snip and Sturla Gunarssen8217;s Such a Long Journey, she also has ad films like Southern Comfort and Lakme to her credit.

To carry off such a huge body of work, she must be hugely qualified?

Not at all. She is a graduate from Bristol University in the History of Art. Absolutely nothing to do with design. In fact when she moved to Mumbai after her marriage to film-maker Pervez Merwanji, she had no inkling that her life would take a creative turn.

Then how did it begin?

On a small scale. When she was based in the South, she found herself drawn to Indian handicrafts. A quest for knowledge led to expertise and thencommerce. Soon, Suzanne was selling handmade yes, made by her furnishings.

How did she end up as a stylist?

Well, Mumbai sort of happened. By the time Suzanne moved to the city with her husband she was ready for a career change. quot;I wanted to do something which involved a more personal interaction.quot; As chance would have it she ran into Preeti Vyas at a party. The designer was looking for a stylist 8212; and she decided to give Suzanne a break.

And from then on Suzanne acquired the tag of stylist. But what does that mean 8212; in actual work?

quot;A stylist executes the art director8217;s vision. He/she also contributes to the look.quot;

Do you need to know about fashion?

quot;No. You need to understand fashion and its history and you must have a good visual eye. But there is more to styling than fashion.quot; And judging by the way Suzanne dresses you can tell she is no fashion victim. She opts for simple cotton kurtas with baggy, comfortable trousers. Clothes that allow her to move freely. A mustgiven the volume of work she handles.

So what are her most memorable ad campaigns?

She did a lot of the earlier Lakme campaigns and the Arvind Jeans ad film back in the 8217;80s. quot;I cringe when I see some of my old work.quot; Yet the industry looks at her work as among the most path-breaking. A classic is the Arvind Mills Jeans campaign where, for the first time, any one used a sponge wall. And even her current work is a class apart. The Vama ad and calendar, shot by Prabuddha Das Gupta, are so beautiful that some people have even framed them.

And films?

quot;My late husband made a film called Percy. It was an off-beat feature film and I worked on that.quot; At number two is Sandokan, the Italian soap opera starring Kabir Bedi. And then Kama Sutra, where she was also the assistant set director.

And what does her job sheet look like these days?

She works on one film a year and 1999 has seen her complete Snip. Now she is back to ad films. quot;That is, after all, whereyou make the real money.quot; But she is really upset that she missed the chance to work on Jane Campion8217;s Holy Smoke as she was too busy.

Her professional life seems really charmed?

Not at all. It has had its share of disappointments. quot;I worked on Midnight8217;s Children for BBC, did all the work, and then the project was cancelled.quot;

How important is set decoration to a film?

quot;It is not just about getting props. You have to pay attention to every detail. You expand the character through the decoration. So you have to be very careful.quot;

Will she ever do a Bollywood film?

quot;Actually, I have been approached 8230; you never know, I may take up the project.quot;