Soo Catwoman

Susan Lucas (24 October 1954 – 30 September 2025), better known as Soo Catwoman, was a British actress and model who was a member of London's early punk subculture. Lucas was active in the London punk scene between 1976 and 1978, where she became a muse of photographer Bob Gruen and befriended the members of the Sex Pistols. Her distinctive, cat-influenced hairstyle is an iconic image within punk, and has led to her being featured in publications including the Guardian and News of the World. Her image has influenced other pop culture figures such as Keith Flint, and fashion designers including Junya Watanabe, Chanel, Obey and Mugler.

Life and career Lucas was born in London on 24 October 1954. She began developing her distinctive hairstyle in 1972, when she began to spike up the sides of her hair in reference to Bride of Frankenstein, while also having a pink-striped fringe. Displeased with always having to style this hair, in 1976 she had the middle of her head shaved in an Ealing barbershop. a lesbian club on Poland Street, where she befriended the members of London's early punk scene. It was also at the club that she met photographer Bob Gruen, for whom she soon became a muse.

In the following years, Lucas became an increasingly prominent figure within the scene, being featured on the front cover of punk zines Society Today and Society Today, bands' t-shirts, record sleeves, posters, flyers and was used by some mainstream news publications as an example of punk's effect on the youth. She was particularly close to Sex Pistols members John Lydon and Sid Vicious, and Captain Sensible of the Damned, While she was also associated with the Bromley Contingent by all the journalists, she later claimed not to have been a member.

In 1979, she briefly joined the Bradford band the Invaders, initially providing backing vocals; she also sang the lead on the band's second single "Backstreet Romeo" from their 1980 album Test Card, released by Polydor. She is also featured on the cover of the band's first single "Magic Mirror" from the 1980 Magic Mirror 7". Her two children, Dion October Lucas and Shem Lucas, are both musicians.

Influence As punk became more widely known, Lucas became one of its most iconic images, with NME crediting her as one of the creators of punk fashion. In The Filth and the Fury, John Lydon singles her out among the early London punks, citing her "skill, style, and bravery". In 1980, she was portrayed by Faye Hart in the Julien Temple directed Sex Pistols' mockumentary the Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, and in the FX miniseries Pistol (2022), portrayed by Iris Law.

Lucas's fashion style has been referenced by fashion boutiques and designers including Junya Watanabe, Chanel, Obey and Mugler.

Filmography Appearances The Punk Rock Movie (1978, dir. Don Letts) The Filth and the Fury (2000, dir. Julien Temple, VHS/NTSC)

Portrayals The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980, portrayed by Faye Hart) Pistol (2022, portrayed by Iris Law)