Sutton Stracke’s life has taken a series of unexpected turns, and the reality TV star is perfectly happy with that.
“Chance operations,” said Stracke, “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star, who is in her hometown of Augusta this week with her trunk show, benefitting the Morris Museum of Art. The dates correspond with the museum’s annual black-tie gala which will be held Friday night.
Dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham for whom Stracke once worked used the phrase “chance operations” when choreographing. It described unpredictable artistic form and movement.
And her life has been filled with plenty of chance operations, said Stracke.
[adrotate banner=”71″]
She grew up in the Garden City and graduated from John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, a place that shaped her in many ways.
“Davidson taught me so much,” she said. “Davidson instilled in me a love of fine art, and at Davidson, we were free to be ourselves.”
That freedom to grow and be herself led Stracke down paths she never could’ve imagined.
A dancer, she lived in New York for many years. She and her former husband lived in Augusta after New York for a few years before heading west in 2007, but she still has a house in Augusta and returns to the area on a regular basis.
“I get homesick,” she said. “It’s so fun to come back and give back to the community. I love Augusta. I’m thankful for all Augusta gave me.”
[adrotate banner=”20″]
She opened SUTTON, her West Hollywood, Calif. boutique in 2019, but before that, she’d offer trunk shows in the area to benefit the museum.
Now that she has her own boutique, she packs up her items and brings them with her.
SUTTON offers clothing, art, accessories and décor.
In line with chance operations, Stracke is branching out into new arenas.
“I’m starting a cashmere line. It’s the beginning of my clothing line,” she said.
She wants to create items that are timeless and can be wardrobe staples for years. She believes in sustainability and taking care of the environment. She wants her clothing line to be sustainable as well.
Stracke has been part of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” since 2019 – another of those chance operations. She first appeared as a “friend” of Lisa Rinna until she became part of the regular cast.
At first, she was on the shy side. She eased into it and now is comfortable with the idea of “creating a pop art experience,” she said.
[adrotate banner=”15″]
Being part of a reality series requires a degree of bravery as people have a close-up view of her life.
“I have to know I’m going to mess up sometimes, and I have to live with the consequences,” she said.
Despite being in a fishbowl of sorts, Stracke is protective of her three children.
“I like to keep them safe,” she said.
Stracke doesn’t speculate on how long she might be part of the reality series, but she knows whatever chance operation comes next in her life, she’s ready to face it.
The trunk show will continue Friday and Saturday. To learn more, email store@thesuttonconcept.com.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
