Everything you need to know about Anna Sui

We take a look at the icon’s story as her work graces London’s Fashion and Textile Museum.

American designer Anna Sui, 52, has consumed herself within the world of art in fashion, and this relationship between art and fashion is a staple in her work of the past four decades.

Sui’s style as a designer, author and exhibitionist expresses her fantastical approach to reality through her designs and pieces. Celebrating the culture of grunge, Sui represents the face of edgy fashion and organically shows her interests and rich culture through the clothes she designs.

Born and raised in Detroit, Sui’s career catapulted her past the state lines of her home state and straight to Paris fashion week, circa 1991. The year of Sui’s break-through earned one of her pieces to be worn by none other than Madonna herself – a friend of a friend let’s say.

Later that year, Sui’s debut took place in New York City, where her delightful approach to fashion was officially shared to the world; everyone was watching her. Fast-forward to 1997 and Sui’s global domination bought her her first boutique in Tokyo, Japan. Needless to say for the next 20 years her light was shone even brighter as a gothic queen, fashion icon, award-winning designer and expert artist.

When looking at the career thus far of the superstar designer she has accomplished far more than making a footprint in the fashion world. Sui continues to make strides in her work through philanthropy and activism, excelling in the world of fragrance, exhibition art and footwear.

Anna Sui has now bought her melodramatic melancholy, pop and punk art to London at the Fashion and Textile Museum as the first American to be the focus of a retrospective exhibition in the UK. With an exhibit that explores the bonds between the style of 90’s Americana, Japanese culture and punk galore in Sui’s work and her reinvention of pop culture covers, over 100 pieces from the designer’s archives are on display.

The World of Anna Sui, the Fashion and Textile Museum, London, 26 May – 1 October 2017.

Words: Dilpreet Taak

Instagram: @dilpreettaak