Susanne Bartsch is so cool she introduced "vogueing" to Madonna.

She also happens to be a fashion icon, and the muse behind the Tampa Museum of Art's latest exhibition "Art-a-Porter" and their upcoming fundraising fashion party, "City."

  • "Art-a-Porter" contains 40 Bartsch "looks"
  • Exhibition runs through November 12
  • "City" party scheduled for Sept. 9

"I think Susanne has a great eye for creativity," said Joanna Robotham, the museum's Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

That eye changed the face of fashion across the span of decades.

"A lot of designers have grown to become the biggest names in the fashion industry," said Robatham.

What to look for

"Art-a-Porter" contains 40 "looks" from Bartsch's closet.

Visitors should keep an eye out for, among other selections, a blue-green velvet evening gown by then-unknown John Galliano, reportedly one of his first efforts.

"[Bartsch] spotted [Galliano's] talent and they became friends, and he designed for her," said Robotham.

Then there's is a little black number by Alexander McQueen.

"It's a dress that's composed entirely of leather leaves with shiny buckles around it," said Robotham.

There is also a "Mini-Crini" ensemble by Vivienne Westwood.

My hands down favorite, though?  The shark corset.

Photo: Virginia Johnson, staff

Bartsch used her fashion celebrity to help fundraise. She sent millions to AIDS research groups through her "Love Balls."

"I think Susanne -- What I admire most about her is that she is just fearless. She will wear designs that seem really out there-- but she wear them, and they become art," said Robotham.

You can enjoy "Art-a-Porter" at the Tampa Museum of Art through Nov. 12. The big “City" party, meanwhile, is Sept. 9, which gives you plenty of time to develop your underground cool club outfit for the party.