blvd. | style
A conversation with Anna Sui MORE THAN 100 OF THE ICONIC FASHION DESIGNER’S LOOKS ARE ON VIEW AT MINT MUSEUM RANDOLPH.
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I understand you were very clear on your interests and career pursuit at the young age of 4, and that you once worked several side jobs to invest in your brand. What is your advice to other artists chasing their passion? I always knew this is what I wanted to do, and I always did what I had to do to make this happen. So, of course there were sacrifices along the way, of course it was a lot of hard work. At one point, I was flying back and forth to Italy doing freelance every two weeks and running my business. There were times when I didn’t even have enough for a subway token to get to the garment center, so I would walk. There were a lot of hardships, but it’s what I had to do to make this all happen, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything, because I feel like this is what I was put on Earth to do. As I get older I realize that everything my parents said was true: When you work hard for it, and you earn it, you appreciate it more. Can you relate to that? Yes, I’m really grateful that I was able to do what I’ve dreamt of doing. I’m grateful that I was able to stay inde 34
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SOUTHPARK
PHOTOGRAPH BY MIGUEL FLORES-VIANNA, BRANDON SCOTT
nna Sui became a fashion trailblazer in the ’90s, when supermodels like Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell were regulars on the catwalk. Her fresh and funky designs inspired by the club culture and rock ’n’ roll scene were a bold departure from other American designers at the time, who drew much inspiration from high society. Now, a retrospective of Sui’s designs, with aesthetics ranging from grunge to rockstar to fairytale to Americana, is on view at Mint Museum Randolph, the last stop on an international tour that debuted in London in 2017. The World of Anna Sui features more than 100 of the designer’s looks from runway shows, along with mood boards that provide a window into the design process, mementos, accessories and more. SouthPark Style Editor Whitley Adkins sat down for an interview with Sui during the exhibition’s opening weekend in November. Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
