'It’s very Houston, Texas!' my seatmate at Anna Sui observed, rather excitedly, as we took in our bearings. I guess Cowgirl Gigi does that to a person. It was an all-American love letter of a collection, spanning states and classic Americana references in a way only Anna Sui could do. A very homely-looking house provided the show’s backdrop; this is Anna’s house and everyone is welcome.
Fringed Western leather jackets with rose appliqués and cowboy hats were worn with frilly dotted dresses. Folksy paisley was mixed with white lace; cherries and hearts were printed onto rockabilly knotted shirts and nylon parkas while a sheer dress with embroidered butterflies had a red sailor scarf around the collar. Grungy flannel checks made an appearance, as did a red dotty heart-print lace-up dress with matching red fringing that was made for a country fair. A varsity jacket with an AS patch was thrown over a black satin floral prom dress. New York City was represented with an Empire State building print, Florida with pink flamingos and red hibiscus flowers. Cropped tourist tee versions featured too. A black lace slip dress with shimmering floral embroidery was particularly lovely. Once the sisters Hadid had closed the show in iridescent powdery fifties housecoats, Anna Sui got the loudest, most sincere applause in the whole of fashion week. America loves her right back.
