A SENSE OF ELEGANCE

Interview with Sue Rossi

ttractive, elegant, smart, sophisticated and one of those women who certainly knows what she wants from anything she sets her eyes on. Sue Rossi is a true icon of the local fashion industry. Sadly, the word "icon" gets tossed around quite a bit these days, yet Sue certainly deserves such a label for the way she has changed the landscape for others and the way she left an indelible mark on local fashion. She is always perfectly dressed with hair, makeup, jewellery, shoes and clothes which are never too little or too much. Everything she wears is a statement which highlights her class and beauty. Sue is blunt, very frank and always ready to offer an honest opinion on the industry and the people that surround it. A

I think that, yes, the older you get, you realise the most valuable commodity that we have is time.

Sue was a model back when models were considered the height of sophistication and untouchable, otherworldly beauty, and her very name is synonymous in the local fashion industry. While her modeling career has been an illustrious one, it's what she's done after those glory days that has truly revealed her powerhouse nature.

Sue Rossi's work as a part-time salesgirl in a textile shop in Valletta was the stepping stone for her long-standing career. There, she had the greatest privilege to meet one of the best talents Malta has ever produced in the art and design industry, Ray Ashley. Her eyes glow whilst she shares with us the key role Ray played in her early steps in the industry. Sue defines him “as a true friend of mine who gave his personal touch to my outfits. Through his persistent encouragement I seriously pondered on taking up modelling with an agency run by Ms Anne Borg." She adds that photo shooting was another attractive activity that lured her toward the world of entertainment and art. A scholarship at the prestigious Model Nouveau School, Nottingham, paved the way for an exciting international experience. In the United Kingdom, she followed modelling lessons and instructor courses. Sue proudly notes, "I recall being very appreciative of the outcome especially on obtaining successful distinction results for the examinations held there”.

Sue Rossi

On her return to the island, Sue witnessed the realisation of another dream by opening her own modelling agency together with an acquaintance of hers, Noel Falzon. Moreover, after a relatively short time back in Malta, an assignment with an international magazine, PIC (People in Camera) meant more than front page covers and ushered her in a hectic period of travelling to exotic destinations like Jamaica and beyond. The newly founded agency in Malta was prospering and holding modelling courses to a multitude of local students coming from all walks of life. The success she experienced, encouraged her to organise the first beauty contest under the title of Miss Maltese Beauty. Such was the success, that its popularity kept on growing annually for the past twenty-five years.

Today, Sue is busy juggling several projects and a personal life. I ask her what are her views on time. "I think that, yes, the older you get, you realise the most valuable commodity that we have is time and, unfortunately, even though we try to fight it, we can’t buy it, right? So, for me, it’s definitely how do I choose to live my life."

The famous American musician, Raheem DeVaughn once noted, "When it comes to beauty, women are nothing short of amazing. They come in variations of shapes, colours and sizes. Each part of their character and personality adds an element to their beauty." Sue believes that "the most important element in a model is his or her personality. Beauty is not enough. Beauty comes by itself with personality." She also emphasises on her deep belief in timeless beauty. "I’m trying to figure that out as we go along. I think timeless beauty, it’s not about fashion, it’s not about trend, if you look at someone like Audrey Hepburn, of course, she was undeniably, like, perfection and even as a mature woman, there was a beauty. And I think a lot of that has as much to do with who she was on the inside and what she was doing, and I saw it on her face, like her self-confidence."

She insists on the importance to groom prospective models to reach the level required on the international plane.

Sue points out that we are still lacking from a professional point of view. "Few models such as Claudia Calleja and Nirvana have really made the grade." Nevertheless, she points out that there are a few promising talents today such as Francesca Mifsud and Katrina Pavia. Atelier asks Sue for a word of advise to those pondering a career in the fashion industry to which she quickly points out, "You do not get into modelling to become a model. Your focus should be to get the correct posture, to integrate with others, to develop you personality, to groom yourself, to learn how to properly approach an interview, to learn how to sit and hold your hands properly. The rest will come along once such basic elements are learnt."

It is time to conclude our conversation yet before further ado Atelier asks Sue whether she has any projects in the pipeline. "Miss World is my baby. It was something I always dreamt to do and will keep on promoting. The young generation keeps me going and strive to reach new heights with Miss World. Valentina is not really into Miss World for now but who knows what lies in the future? It is said that the past cannot be changed, but the future is yet in our power."