Anna Sui was aspirational for me when I was growing up. She was every bit as cool as Betsey Johnson in my eyes. The only drawback was that her designs were a bit more expensive than Betsey’s, so I wasn’t able to afford her clothes.
This exhibit is probably one of my most favorite to date. And this has everything to do with the fact that her designs and creative process took me right back to being a teenager in the 90s.
The World of Anna Sui exhibit at the Museum of Art and Design in New York helped me make sense of, and bring value to, my challenging journey in the 90s to find my personal sense of style. Hindsight is 20:20, and this exhibit allowed me to peek into my past and, for the first time, enjoy how the 90s shaped me.
I never had the chance to own anything designed by Anna Sui. Nevertheless, as a self-declared seamstress of the 90s, Anna Sui was the inspiration for a lot of my designs.
Anna Sui’s creative process is grounded in the music she listens to, something I have in common with her. To get the full experience, check out the playlist with music Anna Sui chose for the exhibit.
70s and 80s Fashion Meets in the 90s
90s fashion was a unique mix of the free-spirited prints from the 70s and the harsher, edgier details of 80s punk. But the most significant feature was the influence of an entirely new fashion trend that was just emerging … grunge!
What I embraced from these trends has remained constant in my personal style preferences. I have come to realize that for years I had shelved a lot of this influence. I had written it off as too youthful as I became an adult, mostly because I thought I had to in order to be taken seriously in business. Lucky for me, age brings a level of self-awareness that allows you to let go.
My 90s style is a part of me, no matter how much I thought it had abandoned my wardrobe choices throughout the years.
As I sit here writing, I am happy, realizing that I just left one of the most conservative trade fairs in an ensemble that reflects both where I am and where I have come from. I am wearing my “conservative” black-and-white tweed blazer, my “80s punk” black boots, my “grunge” worn-out jeans and my most coveted patterned scarf.
This Exhibit Was My Ah-Ha Moment
As I passed by Anna Sui’s beautiful designs, I was reminded that I no longer wanted to tone down my love of whimsical-printed textiles. I was ready again to embrace my love of pairing dresses with a heavy or wacky boot instead of sneakers. On me, sneakers just never look right with a dress! And I was determined to continue to combine an expensive, ornate piece with something casual.
“I was not going to feel guilty doing any of this, whether walking the dog or attending the ballet.”
I am finding it oddly freeing not to be in a conservative business atmosphere, as I did for so many years. And my commitment to not buy anything new this year has further allowed my creativity to run freely.
Reinvent Yourself With the Past
The exhibit clearly illustrated how Anna Sui continued to go back to her roots when she designed each collection – this was obvious in the pairing of accessories with her dresses and outfits. While she does reinvent herself, her reinvention is always grounded in … well … herself.
Like any talented artist’s body of work, a fashion designer’s pieces are more of an artistic response to the world around us than a reflection of it. As I visit more and more fashion exhibits, it has become even more apparent to me that fashion is another form of art. One that we are lucky enough to wear and make our own with each choice. And something that we should learn to cherish more and for longer periods of time.
This exhibit reminded me that the strongest component of having one’s own style, is being able to express who you are and how you feel. I have always felt that my clothes tell a story about me – both the particular stage of life I am in and how I am feeling. I know I am feeling confident when I embrace my style fully, whether it is on trend or not. And I feel at my best when I wear something that reflects this confidence.
“Embrace part of your past and update your wardrobe by digging something old out of your closet that completely reflects what you love. Bonus! It’s a sustainable fashion choice.”
I am grateful for designers like Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson. They have peppered my youth with beautiful textiles, clunky accessories and grunge undertones. As a result, I can see now that these are all key elements in becoming my most authentic self and feeling good in whatever I wear.
For more information about The World of Anna Sui exhibit, click here.
what do you think?