Suzanne A. Rogers

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Suzanne Rogers
Suzanne Rogers Headshot.tif
Born
Suzanne Angelique Kolev

Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada
Alma materUniversity of Western Ontario (BA)
Occupation
  • Philanthropist
  • fashion enthusiast
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2006)​
Children3
RelativesTed Rogers (father-in-law)

Suzanne Angelique Rogers (née Kolev) is a Canadian philanthropist and socialite.

Early life and family[]

Rogers was born in Elliot Lake in Northeastern Ontario. Her parents, Suzanna and Miklos, immigrated here from Budapest, Hungary prior to her birth.[1] She later attended the University of Western Ontario.[2]

Career[]

Her fundraiser series, Suzanne Rogers Presents, has partnered with designers including Oscar de la Renta,[3] Marchesa,[4] Zac Posen,[5] Diane von Fürstenberg[6] and Victoria Beckham.[7] Rogers has provided support to Toronto's Ryerson University, Faculty of Communication and Design. In October 2016, Ryerson University founded the Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute (SRFI) after a $1 million donation from the Edward and Suzanne Rogers Foundation to Ryerson's Faculty of Communication and Design, in addition to the SRFI Fellowship program for the faculty's students.[8][9] Rogers later served as Chair of Covenant House's anti-trafficking "Just Like a Girl You Know" campaign.[10]

In May 2021, Rogers posted an Instagram Story posing with former U.S. President Donald Trump at his private club, Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Fla., captioned, "A Special Way to End the Night!"[11] The post caused an immediate backlash from members of the Canadian fashion industry.[12][13][14][15][16]

In a piece for Canada's largest daily newspaper, The Toronto Star, society columnist Shinan Govani characterized the incident as a "flaunted photo-op with the proverbial face of white supremacy."[17] In direct response to the photo, fashion designer Michael Zoffranieri, a previous recipient of Rogers’ philanthropy, stated in an Instagram post, “We do not stand for white supremacy,”[18] and called on the entire Canadian fashion industry to speak out. Rogers later stated that, “I have always believed in equality, diversity, inclusiveness and respect for all”.[19]

Media[]

She was featured along with her daughter in the 2013 Flare’s Icons issue, showcasing the 50 most stylish Canadians of all time, as well as Hello! Canada's 2014 list of Canada's Best Dressed.[20]

In 2019, designer Sid Neigum said referred to Rogers as "the Fairy Godmother of Canadian Fashion".[21]

References[]

  1. ^ Moreno, Marlon (February 13, 2014) Suzanne Rogers: Mother + Philanthropist + Fashion Aficionado Bold Magazine
  2. ^ Pullen, Kelly (October 16, 2014) Edwards Rogers: the man who would be king Toronto Life
  3. ^ "City News, Dina Pugliese hits New York fashion week".
  4. ^ "The National Post, Suzanne Rogers on gearing up for the gala".
  5. ^ "Posen Party". S/ magazine. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  6. ^ S Style Magazine – Summer 2017 : Scene "Suzanne Rogers Presents Diane von Furstenberg"
  7. ^ Victoria Beckham and Suzanne Rogers partner for a good cause
  8. ^ Delap, Leanne (October 8, 2016) Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute bridges gap from student to career The Star
  9. ^ "Suzanne Rogers CITYLINE segment, November 11, 2016, Ryerson Fashion Institute".
  10. ^ "City News, Suzanne Rogers honoured for work with Boost charity".
  11. ^ "Suzanne Rogers Donald Trump Photo at Mar-a-Lago Causes Fallout". FASHION Magazine. May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  12. ^ "Suzanne Rogers Donald Trump Photo at Mar-a-Lago Causes Fallout". FASHION Magazine. May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "Ryerson accused of 'silencing' fashion school following retracted statement on Suzanne Rogers photo with Trump". The Eyeopener. May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  14. ^ "Some of Toronto's wealthiest families were in Mar-a-Lago with Trump this weekend". www.blogto.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  15. ^ Jonas, Sabrina (May 3, 2021). "Controversy erupts for Suzanne Rogers after philanthropist posts photo with Trump". CBC News. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  16. ^ Shea, Courtney. "Suzanne Rogers Deleted Her Donald Trump Insta Stories. But The Outrage (& Screen Grabs) Live On". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  17. ^ "Opinion | Take me off the invite list! Socialite Suzanne Rogers 'apologizes' for her Trump photo op at Mar-a-Lago — but it's too little, too late". thestar.com. May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Shea, Courtney. "Suzanne Rogers Deleted Her Donald Trump Insta Stories. But The Outrage (& Screen Grabs) Live On". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "Suzanne Rogers says she regrets photo with former U.S. president Donald Trump amid controversy". CTVNews. May 4, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  20. ^ "Canada's Best Dressed 2014: See who made the list! - HELLO! US". ca.hellomagazine.com. November 25, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  21. ^ Slone, Isabel (May 31, 2019) The 2019 CAFAs: 25 Photos from Canadian Fashion’s Big Night Out Fashion Magazine
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