Guide Note

Anna Sui is a Chinese American fashion designer. Sui fashions are known worldwide for their whimsical and flirty style inspired by pop culture from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Her line features T-shirts, dresses, shoes and cosmetics, among other apparel.

Fast Facts

1. Label started in Sui's New York City Apartment
2. Runway debut: 1991
3. Flagship store opens: 1992 in New York City
4. Over 500 boutiques worldwide

Anna Sui grew up in Detroit, Michigan, but relocated to New York to study fashion at Parsons School of Design. While still attending school she had six of her pieces on display at a boutiques show which immediately caught the eye of a Macy's buyer. Macy's quickly ordered Sui's garments, one of which was used used in a New York Times advertisement. Soon after she launched her own label which she ran from her New York apartment throughout the 1980. And in 1991 Sui's "head to toe" line hit the catwalk where The New York Times declared it pastiche of hip and haute styles.

Anna Sui finds inspiration in mixing and matching different styles like the classic CHANEL suit with hippie shabby chic or glam rock from the 1970s.

Anna Sui is a favorite among Hollywood stars such as Patricia Arquette, Christina Ricci, Cher, Naomi Campbell, Sofia Coppola and Courtney Love. Sui also has funky, purple walled boutiques New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.