There are certain women you meet and immediately think… she’s exactly what this community is all about. That was Sue for us.
We met her a few years ago, and it was one of those easy, natural connections that you don’t overthink. She’s warm in a very real way, curious about people, and has that creative energy that makes you want to keep the conversation going. Not performative, not overly polished, just genuinely herself. And that’s what stayed with us.
So getting to welcome her to BLOOM this year feels really special. It’s not just about having a designer join us. It’s about bringing someone into the room who adds to the feeling we’re always trying to create.
A Brand That Feels Like Her
When you spend time with Sue, and then look at her collection, it makes sense.
Her pieces carry that same sense of ease. They’re colorful and expressive, but still grounded. There’s a femininity to them, but it’s not precious or overworked. They feel like real clothes for real days, just done beautifully.
Her signature silhouettes, especially the flounce dresses and easy maxis, are the kind you can wear in a hundred different ways. Sandals and a straw tote during the day, something a little more dressed up at night. They travel well, they photograph well, and most importantly, they just feel good to wear.
The prints are a big part of what draws people in. They’re created using traditional block printing techniques, many in partnership with artisans in Jaipur, and you can see that craftsmanship in the layering of color and pattern. Nothing feels flat or mass produced. There’s depth, a slight irregularity in the best way, and a sense that someone’s hand was actually involved in making it.
And even with all of that detail, the end result is still incredibly wearable. That balance is what makes the brand stand out.
Her Story, In Her Own Time
Sue’s path into building her brand wasn’t linear, and that’s part of what makes it resonate.
She began her career in fashion, working in merchandising, including time with Calvin Klein, which gave her a strong foundation and understanding of the industry. But like many women, her life took different turns. She stepped away to focus on raising her family, while continuing to stay connected to creativity in different ways.
When she came back to fashion, it wasn’t about picking up where she left off. It was about starting something new, on her own terms.
She launched her collection later than many founders do, and there’s something incredibly refreshing about that. It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t driven by pressure, it was built with clarity and intention.
You can feel that in how the brand has grown. It’s steady, thoughtful, and focused. Not chasing every trend or moment, but building something that has longevity.
Where the Inspiration Comes From
Sue’s work feels collected, not constructed. Her inspiration comes from travel, art, architecture, vintage textiles, and the kind of everyday beauty that often gets overlooked. A color combination, a pattern on a tile, a botanical detail. Those references show up in her prints, but not in a literal way.
Instead, they come through as a feeling.There’s a softness to her collections. Slightly romantic, a little nostalgic, but still very current. Pieces that feel like they’ve always belonged in your closet, even if you just found them.
It’s also what makes them so aligned with coastal living. There’s an ease to them. Nothing feels forced or overly styled. They work because they’re meant to be lived in.
Why She Feels So Right for BLOOM
BLOOM has always been about more than just what someone does. It’s about how they do it.
Sue fits into that in a very natural way.
She’s built a brand that people genuinely connect with, but she’s also someone who values the relationships and experiences that come along with it. She’s thoughtful about her work, but she doesn’t take herself too seriously. She’s creative, but also incredibly approachable. And that balance matters.
She’s the kind of person you want in the room. Someone who can share insight and experience, but who is just as happy sitting down over a long dinner, talking about life, ideas, and everything in between.
That’s the energy we want at BLOOM.
A Full Circle Moment
Looking back, it feels a little surreal to go from that first meeting to now having Sue join us at BLOOM.But it also makes perfect sense.
So much of what we’ve built with this community has come from moments like that. A conversation, an introduction, a shared perspective that turns into something more over time. Bringing her into BLOOM feels like a continuation of that.
And we can’t wait for you to meet her, hear her story, and experience that same warmth and creativity that drew us in from the start.
all photos courtesy of Sue Sartor and Kelly Moore Clark
