A forthcoming book, SUSIE, promises a deeply personal exploration of the life and creative spirit of British designer and entrepreneur Susie Cave. The project, slated for release on September 16 via Thames & Hudson, will combine photography by Dominique Issermann with contributions from Susie’s husband of 25 years, musician Nick Cave, and book designer Irma Boom.
The book is described as a “lyrical portrait” of Cave, delving into her operate, her relationship with Nick Cave, and her experiences with motherhood – including both profound joy and heartbreaking loss. It aims to capture the essence of a woman who has consistently inspired those around her, particularly her husband, who has spoken extensively about her influence on his art.
Issermann, a longtime friend of the Caves, has been photographing the couple for years, providing a visual history that forms the core of the book. Nick Cave’s contributions extend beyond a foreword, encompassing lyrics and prose inspired by his partner, dating back to their first meeting in 1997. The project is not simply a biography, but a collaborative artistic endeavor designed to reveal the multifaceted nature of Susie Cave’s life.
The book also addresses the family’s tragic loss of their son, Arthur, who died in 2015 after a fall near Brighton at the age of 15. The grief following Arthur’s death profoundly impacted both Nick and Susie, and informed his 2019 album, Ghosteen. SUSIE explores how Susie navigated this immense sorrow, and the solace she found in her remaining child.
A Testament to Love and Loss
“This represents a book about love, in all its shades,” Susie and Nick Cave shared in a statement. “We are so grateful to our beloved friend, the brilliant photographer Dominique Issermann, who quietly documented our relationship from its earliest days and has made it possible for us to notify this intimate story of family, loss and transformation. We are also thankful to iconic designer Irma Boom and Thames & Hudson for creating this deeply personal book with such care and respect.”
Publisher and creative director at Thames & Hudson, Tristan de Lancey, echoed this sentiment, stating, “As a lifelong fan of Nick and Susie, It’s an absolute privilege to publish a book of such importance to them. With personal recollections as moving as the photographs themselves, it is a gem of a book, appropriately conceived and realised, and one which will captivate their many fans.” Readers can pre-order the book for a September 16 release.
Cave’s Decades-Long Pursuit to Capture Susie’s Essence
Nick Cave has frequently acknowledged the profound impact Susie has had on his work. As far back as 2018, he wrote about his decades-long attempt to articulate her essence through his songwriting and poetry. “Twenty years on and I am still trying to define Susie… but it’s a losing battle,” he shared. “I have come to see that there is a wild and mercurial energy within her that my words will never contain.”
He continued, describing his efforts as “trying to break a code that is constantly rearranging itself.” This sentiment underscores the deeply personal and elusive nature of the subject matter explored in SUSIE. The book, represents a culmination of years of observation, reflection, and artistic expression.
From Fashion to Grief and Back Again
In 2024, Cave further elaborated on his admiration for Susie, following her decision to close her fashion brand, The Vampire’s Wife. He described the brand as a creative outlet through which she processed the grief of losing Arthur. “The Vampire’s Wife was Susie’s ‘Ghosteen’,” he wrote on his Red Hand Files website. “Just as I tried through music to create a place for Arthur to be, real or imagined, Susie’s dresses were an attempt to give her grief form.”
The Vampire’s Wife, launched in 2014, gained a devoted following and was worn by prominent figures including Florence Welch, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, and the Princess of Wales. Cave emphasized that the dresses were “objects of devotion, sacred things that will live on regardless of the brand’s fortunes,” highlighting the deeply personal and therapeutic nature of Susie’s creative endeavors.
SUSIE, offers a unique window into the life of a woman who has navigated immense personal tragedy while simultaneously forging a successful career and inspiring those around her. The book promises to be a moving and insightful exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
As the release date approaches, anticipation builds for this intimate portrait of Susie Cave, offering fans and readers a deeper understanding of the woman behind the artist and the muse. What comes next for both Nick and Susie Cave remains to be seen, but SUSIE undoubtedly marks a significant moment in their shared story.
What are your thoughts on this upcoming release? Share your comments below and let us understand what aspects of Susie Cave’s story resonate with you.
