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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

FASHION

Anna Sui

annasuibiopic

Unlike most designers, Anna Sui creates clothes she'd actually wear herself. Maybe that's why her 1960s-inspired label maintains such a rabid following. Indeed, if you're an Anna Sui girl, you're bound to own a whole wardrobe of her baby doll dresses and patchwork sweaters. We recently chatted with the New York designer—who just announced a new line of tights that will hit stores this fall—about where she finds inspiration.


The Inside Source: While your clothes are modern, they're also obviously inspired by vintage. What were some inspirations for your fall collection?

Anna Sui: My Fall 2010 Collection is inspired by the American version of the decorative arts movement called "Arts and Crafts" (1890-1925), which celebrated artisan handmade everyday objects as a direct response to the mass-produced products of the Industrial Revolution. For my research, I was specifically looking at Pewabic pottery, Roycroft graphics, Mercer tiles, Stickley furniture, Rookwood ceramics, Charles Rohlfs furniture and Greene-and-Greene architecture. The palette of the collection comes directly from the earthy colors you find in the glazes used in Pewabic tiles.


TIS: Can you name your three favorite pieces from your Fall 2010 collection?

AS: The first look from any of my shows usually illustrates the theme. In Look No. 1 Karen [Elson] is wearing a James Coviello for Anna Sui sweater and cap that features a collage of three different Arts and Crafts patterns worn with an art nouveau swirl blouse. Look No. 2 on Agyness [Deyn] is also one of my favorites.  Her brown suede dress is studded exactly like a Charles Rohlfs wooden desk from 1901. Both Karen and Agyness wear necklaces made for me by Erickson Beamon from actual Pewabic tiles. For the finale I showed brides. My favorite was Look No. 49 on Agyness, a cream flapper dress in velvet and georgette embroidered with antique roses.  

annasuifashionrunway

TIS: Do you do a lot of shopping for collection inspiration?

AS: I’m a major shop-a-holic. I’m lucky that everything I’m currently interested in can serve as inspiration for my work. It’s fun to check out what’s new in the stores, and I’m always inspired by the romance of the flea market.   


TIS: Are you an eBay person? How do you approach the site?

AS: I do enjoy eBay. I use the “saved search” feature because I generally am checking in to see what’s become available among the things I collect. 


TIS: What are some of your all-time favorite vintage finds?

AS: Ossie Clark dresses with Celia Birtwell prints, Marilyn Neuhart looped yarn hair dolls, and Marimekko textiles.


** Images of Anna Sui and her collection provided by the designer. **

What's On Anna's Sui's "Saved Search" list?

Roll over items for details
Gemma Taccogna Papier-Mache Pin
These papier-mache dolls represent the folk art that inspired Sui's Fall 2010 collection.
(starting bid, $12.99)
Arabia Finland Raija Uosikkinen Plate
This is a limited edition piece that complements the Arabia Finland "Emilia" pattern Sui collects.
(winning bid, $61.48)
Zandra Rhodes Vintage Pink Silk Ruffled Minidress
Famed British designer Zandra Rhodes' printed chiffon serves as inspiration for Sui.
(buy it now price, $599)
Loungewear Outfit
(starting bid, $14.49)
Yves Saint Laurent Peach Gypsy Skirt
Sui's after pieces from Yves Saint Laurent’s gypsy collections.
(starting bid, $575)
YSL Black Gypsy Skirt
(buy it now price, $175)
Anna Sui

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