Suzanne in conversation with Monique Ritter, creator and host of the “Creative Got Me” podcast who describes her as “The Fashion Founder Who Said No To Millions and Built a Values-First Company”
This week’s guest is Suzanne Lerner. Suzanne’s story is about guts, grit, and heart: building a fashion brand with her husband, carrying it forward after his passing, and weaving her values of equality, inclusion, and giving back into everything she does. She’s pragmatic, fearless, and deeply human — the kind of leader who shows us that success isn’t just about business, it’s about being a mensch.
Suzanne joins Gloria Feldt’s incredible organization, “Take the Lead” for their annual “Power Up” conference on Women’s Equality Day, August 26, 2025.
Suzanne featured on THEONES.ORG by founder, photographer and stunning visual artist Taghi Naderzad. He is on a mission to uplift and inspire. His work inspires with spirit and artistry!
“Only in America” has always meant the freedom to build something of your own. But that freedom doesn’t end at starting a business—it must include the ability to grow and sustain it. If we want to honor that ethos, trade policy must strengthen—not weaken—the businesses already investing in this country.
April Buying Week is almost here, delivering the next wave of top apparel, formalwear, and accessories for buyers and retailers in Atlanta, Georgia. Ahead of the inaugural event, we caught up with Michael Stars founder Suzanne Lerner on her brand’s highlights and advancements, career successes, and what she’s looking forward to during the week! Below, discover Lerner’s reflections and more before visiting AtlantasMart from April 1 to 4.
Michael Stars has released a special t-shirt designed by Karla Welch, stylist and co-founder of the Period Abundance Foundation, with the aim of raising awareness for the critical issue of period poverty. The Michael Stars Foundation, co-founded by Suzanne Lerner, has made a grant to further The Period Abundance Foundation’s work to distribute sustainable, reusable period care products and provide vital health education globally to communities in need.
Hollywood power stylist Karla Welch is joining forces with L.A.-based basics brand Michael Stars for an exclusive T-shirt to benefit the Period Abundance Foundation, a nonprofit co-founded by Welch to distribute eco-friendly menstrual care and provide health education to communities around the globe.
Celebrity stylist and cofounder of The Period Abundance Foundation Karla Welch has teamed up with the Michael Stars Foundation’s Suzanne Lerner to raise awareness
Powerhouse celebrity stylist Karla Welch dresses both Biebers: Justin in boxy Balenciaga suiting for the Grammys and Hailey in Saint Laurent dresses for the Met Gala… Out of all those experiences—and across her decades of working with heritage fashion houses and mega-watt stars to create some of the best red carpet moments of all time—Welch's proudest fashion endeavor is a $48 white t-shirt.
Suzanne shares her journey with Shoshanna Hecht, exploring the impact of life changes on leadership, the role of activism in business, and becoming more engaged in democracy.
Acclaimed activist Elisa Parker and Suzanne look ahead to a country where sex equality—the Equal Rights Amendment— is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Suzanne “Meets the Moment” at the Meteor’s annual event, moderating a panel on voter engagement with activists Deja Foxx and A'shanti F. Gholar, President, Emerge. The event tackled critical issues including: voting rights, abortion access, climate justice, and the fight for freedom in Iran. The Meteor gathered with the most influential voices on these subjects—people across generations who have worked to pave the way for a brighter feminist future.
Ms. Foundation kicks off $100M fundraising campaign—the largest in its history. Suzanne will serve as co-chair with activist and foundation board member, Alex Busansky, president and founder of Impact Justice, a national innovation and research center based in Oakland, CA and Washington, DC, which works to create a more humane and restorative system of justice in the United States.
Suzanne in a wide ranging fireside chat with Marc Lewkowitz, president and CEO of Supima, moderated by Sarah Jones, senior editor, strategic content at Sourcing Journal.
Suzanne wins the first-ever “Wear the Shirt” award introduced by Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead. It signifies standing by your convictions with intention, integrity and action.
Business leaders share their personal stories about abortion.
By unleashing capital's power for good, impact investing looks to generate positive ESG effects alongside financial returns. The goal is to provide funds to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Suzanne shares her perspective on why she invests for impact.
Global Retailing Ideas Summit at the Univ of Arizona in Tuscon, 04-2-22: Suzanne shares her deeply personal story about her journey to co-founding her company Michael Stars and what it means to be both a CEO and an activist.
A lively and frank conversation about: “Traveling the world as a young woman -Getting her start in the fashion industry -What she did before running Michael Stars -Being a feminist, as well as money, loss, and the causes near and dear to her heart.”
Female Founder Fridays hosted by Parker Clay, the amazing B Corp whose sustainable, beautiful leather goods are made by women artisans in villages across Ethiopia.
How do you build a company that lasts? Listen and find out how Suzanne Lerner, Co-Founder and CEO of Michael Stars, started the iconic clothing company with just one shirt design in 1983 to build the iconic brand that it is today. Hear the story on this week’s episode of #TheKaraGoldinShow
“Starting with just screen-printed tees, Michael Stars has evolved into a luxury brand of women's and men's apparel and accessories…” Read the full story in Inc. Magazine.
Suzanne inspires entrepreneurs of all ages! Here she is with the Marlborough School In Los Angeles.
A little “Honest Commerce” with Chase Clymer interviewing Suzanne on everything from “drop culture” in fashion to how to make a difference in the world.
Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine interview shares Suzanne’s perspective on Michael Stars Vintage and the inspiration behind the company’s first designs.
A collaboration between Sarah Henry, executive director, The Global Center for Gender Equity at Stanford University and author, activist Marianne Schnall, this new initiative examines real world ways in which we can achieve gender and racial equality globally.
Suzanne in conversation with Monique Ritter, creator and host of the “Creative Got Me” podcast who describes her as “The Fashion Founder Who Said No To Millions and Built a Values-First Company”
This week’s guest is Suzanne Lerner. Suzanne’s story is about guts, grit, and heart: building a fashion brand with her husband, carrying it forward after his passing, and weaving her values of equality, inclusion, and giving back into everything she does. She’s pragmatic, fearless, and deeply human — the kind of leader who shows us that success isn’t just about business, it’s about being a mensch.
Suzanne shares her journey with Shoshanna Hecht, exploring the impact of life changes on leadership, the role of activism in business, and becoming more engaged in democracy.
Acclaimed activist Elisa Parker and Suzanne look ahead to a country where sex equality—the Equal Rights Amendment— is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
A lively and frank conversation about: “Traveling the world as a young woman -Getting her start in the fashion industry -What she did before running Michael Stars -Being a feminist, as well as money, loss, and the causes near and dear to her heart.”
How do you build a company that lasts? Listen and find out how Suzanne Lerner, Co-Founder and CEO of Michael Stars, started the iconic clothing company with just one shirt design in 1983 to build the iconic brand that it is today. Hear the story on this week’s episode of #TheKaraGoldinShow
A little “Honest Commerce” with Chase Clymer interviewing Suzanne on everything from “drop culture” in fashion to how to make a difference in the world.
Leading philanthropists Ana Oliveira, New York Women’s Foundation and Suzanne Lerner, co-founder and president of Michael Stars and the Michael Stars Foundation talk about to achieve a gender-equitable recovery post-pandemic.
Fashion, activism, and everything in between in this great conversation with Rebecca Minkoff and Suzanne.
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