Anna Sui is the queen of eclectic maximalism and this is what she once again confirmed with her Fall/Winter 2022-23 collection. She remixed memories and artistic references for decades that somehow relate to each other. With a keen eye for fashion & art, she knows how to blend visual elements from different eras into strong fashion moments relevant today. The best way to understand her collection is always through her own words:
“I am crushing over “Ready, Steady, Go!,” a British rock show from the 60s! Bands like the Beatles and the Stones playing toe-to-toe with dancing mods, fresh from Carnaby Street with a bit of homespun thrown in! The “IT” girl, Cathy McGowan, with her Vidal Sassoon haircut, knee-high boots, and Mary Quant clothes, chatting it up with The Who, the Animals, and the Kinks! Airing Friday nights from a soundstage in London, throbbing crowds of cool kids and cameras mixed with unknown bands that soon became number one in England! As the catchline claimed: “the weekend starts here!”
Sixties Mod has always reminded me of 20s Deco and 80s Nuwave – just like “RSG!” there is a great energy when you mingle it all together! That’s what I did for this season and I had fun with every detail. There’s Deco neckties with schoolgirl dresses; paillettes to party in; coats with matching miniskirts in knit, tweed, granny crocheted squares. Fun faux fur comes in zebra and shaggy; genderless vibrant power plaid blazers mixed with two-tone Nuwave sweaters and black patent pants are punked out with belts, badges, and pop jewelry; topped off with balaclavas, creepers and après ski boots! And James Coviello’s famous doggy backpacks are back in new shades of tangerine dream & purple haze together with introducing lion backpacks in black!
There’s plenty more here for a Friday night including everything you might throw in, high and lo, to make a proper outfit — all to the tune of “Ready, Steady, Go!” by Generation X!
Shoes and boots by John Fluevog, and Pajar; sunglasses by Mondottica for Anna Sui; studded belts, chokers and cuffs by Funk Plus; laser cut jewelry Brian Doby; butterfly rings by Vendome Yamada for Anna Sui; socks and ribbed tights by Atsugi for Anna Sui; travel accessories by Kipling; We Love Color lurex fishnets; Bubblegum Girls graphic by Michael Economy; and set décor by Certified Signs. Special thanks to the Bowery Electric, the perfect venue to transport you to my dream dance party!”
Photographer: Richie Davis assisted by Carlos Darder