15 Mar Two Styled Outfits Inspired by the Anna Sui Exhibit

I am sharing today two styled outfits inspired by the Anna Sui Exhibit in Charlotte.

The World of Anna Sui at the Charlotte Mint Museum

We had the opportunity to see the Anna Sui Exhibit at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, over the weekend and I really enjoyed seeing the designs and story of how she became a designer.

Anna Sui is an American fashion designer originally from Detroit. Her mother used to sew clothes and Anna would keep the fabric scraps to clothe her Barbie dolls and her brother’s action figures. *wiki. She wanted to be a designer a the age of 4.

She later moved to New York City to attend the famous Parsons School of Design. Later, in 1987, she moved out of her apartment to the Garment District. The 80’s signified “Power dressing” with the Chanel, Versace, and other big fashion houses. Sui decided to go in another direction, and focus on the Grunge period.

I think of Anna Sui as a storyteller of different music genres. The Grunge period, Punk, and a Rock and Roll vibe, many that were inspired by music of the time and the Club scene of NYC. She also explored “Fairytales”, “Nomad” “Victorian” “Cowgirls” themes to her designs. What struck me was the feast for the eyes, the pattern mixes, the luxe fabrics such as silk, velvet, and leather and color. The details of the looks were creative, unique and whimsical. Shoes were fun, playful and often were worn with fashionable printed socks.

The exhibit shared information on each theme, and gave a look inside the process and creative mind of Anna.

From her first show, Sui was known for her light-hearted, whimsical, homemade and entertaining approach to showcasing her collections. The influences came from contemporary shows by designers such as Thierry Muglar and Jean Paul Gaultier where one of the goals was to charm the audience with the atmosphere created.^[17] The atmosphere often had a distinct party vibe and the antics of guests and participants were described as a distinct cultural scene of the period.

At the museum we saw her colorful and distinct invitations, her rock posters that were in her childhood bedroom, shoes and hats, as well as her perfume designs.

On several walls were a list of all of her collaborations with various companies such as Target, Hush Puppies ,Tumi, Macy’s and Modcloth just to name a few.

“She was named one of the “Top 5 Fashion Icons of the Decade” and in 2009 earned the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), joining the ranks of Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani Ralph Lauren, and DVF. ** Credit wikipedia. 

It was such a wonderful exhibition, and I loved the designs. I could really relate to the connection between music and fashion, and understand how they blend so well together. Art is all about expression, and to me fashion and music are both very expressive art forms. The atmosphere was both  colorful and fashionable, with the well-dressed mannequins gathering as if they were at a hip party. Each room took us to another area of what seemed like her studio.

If you want more on Anna Sui, read the book, The World of Anna Sui. 

and more about her on Wikipedia.

I could see myself wearing all of these! I especially love the large flower pin at the waist! Will have to try that!

I have my eye on this dress! 

This one has a great print mix.

This Victorian style outfit really appealed to me with all of the cream lace on black,

the fitted contrasting blazer and the wonderful cameo style necklace.

I love the shoes here- both pairs! The brogue style is more feminine with the daisy socks and ribbon shoelaces.

The heart shoes -Love!

Anna Sui also played with an androgynous theme here.

My eyes were transfixed to the suit on the right. I love the florals, the color mix and the

collar on the jacket.

Anna Sui Inspiration Outfit #1

I’ve combined a mix of pattern with my tights ( Ann Sui’s exhibit had many in  textured tights or patterned socks)_ girly, strappy heels, lace, tweed and silk in this look. My Zara bag is a finishing touch. I am wearing a large flower pin, on my jacket. Anna Sui had designs with large flower pins worn on jackets and at the waist with a ribbon belt.

Anna Sui Inspiration Outfit #2

Another mix of prints and fabrics. Hard to tell but I have textured brown tights, A feather print dress is mixed with a textured tweed fitted blazer. My Zara brocade bag adds some fun and whimsy to the look.

My cameo vintage earrings are featured below.

My outfits all came from older pieces in my closet 🙂

Have you been to this exhibit? Which elements of Anna Sui’s design do you like most? Id love to hear from you in the comments! 

Outfit #1

tweed jacket-Loft//floral silk blouse- Haute Hippie//lace skirt- Ann Taylor//tights- Amazon//shoes- Zara//pin- Soft Surroundings

Outfit #2- tweed brown blazer- Banana Republic/Karina Dress/ Patterned tights-target/ shoes- Asos/bag- Zara

Secondhand Anna Sui pieces can be bought HERE. 

You can also find them at a discount secondhand  HERE.

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