Menkes was born in Britain. She was educated at Brighton and Hove High School. In the 1960s, she went as a teenager to Paris to study dressmaking. Viewing her first couture show at Nina Ricci sparked her interest in high fashion.

On her return from Paris, she read history and English literature at Cambridge University. After Cambridge, she worked for The Times reporting on fashion. In addition to her journalism, she has written several books, particularly on British Royal style.

Among Menkes's trademarks is her signature pompadour. She lives in Paris, is widowed and has three sons and three granddaughters. She holds the Legion d'Honneur in France and a British OBE.

In November 2009, she appeared as one of the judges on the finale of Lifetime TV series Project Runway.

From the International Herald Tribune:

Suzy Menkes, the fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune, has been named an officer of the Order of the British Empire for her services to journalism. In January, Menkes was named a chevalier of the Legion of Honor by President Jacques Chirac of France. The induction ceremony for that award will take place in Paris next week.