New exhibit at Phoenix Art Museum

A new exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum allows visitors to experience the rock-and-roll-inspired fashions of Anna Sui with fashion from the personal archive of the iconic American designer.

Blending rock and roll with romanticism, Sui taps into the timeless nostalgia of fashion’s earlier days and pairs it with her rocker aesthetic.

The World of Anna Sui features more than 80 ensembles from the renowned designer’s archive.

Helen Jean, the Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design at the Phoenix Art Museum, joined us to discuss the exhibition on “Arizona Horizon“.

“American Chinese, first generation, grew up in Detroit, Michigan, knew from an early age that she wanted to be a fashion designer. Spent her high school years going to rock and roll shows in Detroit with her older brother and that really set the stage,” Jean said.

Jean noted some of the inspirations that Sui drew from with her designs and how they relate to today’s fashion trends.

“1960s Mod is very inspiring. Or if we look back at the Victorian period, you’ll see she’s got some beanie hats that have gorgeous velvet ribbons on them, and then bodices that look like there’s a corset built into it. And you can wear it with jeans. It’s perfect for this age where everyone loves blending things,” Jean said.

Jean says the best way to fully appreciate the 12 archetypes and more than 80 ensembles is to consider revisiting the exhibit to look deeper into the details and different aspects of the exhibit.

For more on the Anna Sui exhibit and information on how to visit this exhibit, visit the Phoenix Art Museum website.