Miss Suzanne Ford Carafano: Anyone who is familiar with shopping for vintage these days has heard her name. Founder of Spanish Moss and American Gold, a wandering soul, a searcher, a finder, and an adventurer—the type of girl who’d be seen hanging out with Bob Dylan or Marianne Faithfull in the 1960s.
Suzanne has such a strong personal style and shop philosophy that she turned something as simple as opening an online vintage store into a well-distinguished and highly recognized brand that has been noted by the likes of Vogue, Marie Claire, Foam, Elle, Lucky, and Nylon. Using a blend of her husband Vincent Carafano’s amazing photography and her own incredible styling, as well as gorgeous pieces and loads of hard work, Spanish Moss and American Gold are watched closely by critics, celebrities, designers, and eager shoppers everywhere.
What do you think you’d be doing if you hadn’t created Spanish Moss or American Gold?
I’m frightened to think about that. Hopefully working on a novel.
What do you think you’ll be into wearing for autumn 2012?
The new American Gold collection I have coming out. Also, distressed 1970s denim, Sass & Bide Boyfriend jeans, silk spaghetti strap tanks, and statement jackets like the Novella Royalle Jimi Jacket.
You’re greatly inspired by literature. What’s your favorite book?
I have a lot of favorites, but some old standbys are Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence, Generation X by Douglas Coupland, White Oleander by Janet Fitch, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers, and Catcher in the Rye by Salinger.
Who are a few of your personal style icons?
Right now I really relate to the personal style of Kate Foley and Abbey Lee, and one of my classic icons is Jane Birkin.
What’s something that can always make you laugh?
Arrested Development and I Heart Huckabees.
Who would you choose to play you in the movie version of your life?
Christina Ricci or Alison Lohman.
Tell me about a few of your favorite blogs.
My good friend Emily Du Preez’s photography blog is a dream. Also, Stockholm Streetstyle, StyleLikeU, Closet Visit, and Bleubird are all inspiring reads.
That song or band are you loving right now?
Always listening to “Stand By Me” by John Lennon; “Alex Chilton” by The Replacements; “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon, and all Loretta Lynn, Bob Dylan, the Stones, Dolly Parton, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and Led Zeppelin.
You have something in common with my shop co-owner, Amber: you both met your husbands on MySpace. Do you think if the Internet didn’t exist, fate would have still brought you two together?
I’d like to think so. While the Internet made our long distance love possible (I was in Florida and Vincent was in Texas), we also had a mutual friend who was in Vincent’s band at the time. So I’d like to think we would have met on tour or something if not for the Internet. I’m not sure it would have been as special, though. We dated for a year long distance before I moved to Texas, and we were able to live in the same city.
Describe a perfect day and evening.
A perfect evening: walking around Savannah or the French Quarter, Ramos Gin Fizz in hand, visiting Bonaventure cemetery in Savannah, or going on a haunted tour of New Orleans. A perfect day would be spent in Palm Springs at the Ace Hotel with some of our best friends, vintage shopping in Portland or Austin, or “camping” in Big Sur or Yellowstone.
You’re so beautiful—you look like the epitome of a California child. But which part of America would you say has the biggest piece of your heart?
Thank you so much! It’s difficult to pick one part of the country—but if I’m being totally truthful, I’d have to say California. It’s truly home, no matter how many times I try to run away from it.
What’s coming up next with Spanish Moss and American Gold that you’re excited about?
The new American Gold collection we’ve been working so hard on. Excited for Lindsey Thornburg, ManiaMania, and Sass & Bide fall deliveries as well.
Finally, what’s making you happiest in your life right now?
Getting to spend time with Vincent every day, and waiting to meet my new daughter when I give birth in six weeks!
I wish Suzanne the very best with her new role as a mama, as well as wild success with everything she has coming up.
Take a look here for more of Suzanne’s personal style.
This post was written by Tori.
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