 Menkes's trademark is her pompadour, an exaggerated hairstyle that was first popularised by Madame de Pompadour, the favourite mistress of King Louis XV, in the 18th century.She has been nicknamed "Samurai Suzy" by the fashion press for her frankness and taste for fashion maximalism.In November 2009, she appeared as one of the judges on the finale of the Lifetime TV series "Project Runway".