Known for her rock and roll clothing, shoes and even fragrances, fashion designer Anna Sui has never designed with reviews in mind. After her first runway show in 1991, Sui was an international success quickly opening boutiques in NY, LA, Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul to name a few of the hip locales selling her brand. Her goal has always been fashioning fashion for the client, who is young, vibrant, attune to pop culture and in touch with her sense of humor.

Sui's Fall 2008 collection continues her commitment to mixing decades coupled with fun and flirty silhouettes and fabrics. Sui latest line combines early European and American silhouettes reminiscent of Medieval, Renaissance and specifically

Native American cultures with more modern touches of Mod thrown in for good measure. The result is a show powered by bold prints, colors and patterns. She put together electric blues, vibrant shades of fuchsia, rich forest greens and floral prints melded with dynamic fringe, tailored jackets and capes for a hippie/mod meets medieval look.

Sui biggest influence seems to be strong females of various periods who come from a time when clothing served multiple purposes. Flowing skirts of varying lengths, poncho-like throws, faux fur and fringe give suggestion of a woman in tune with a 60s natural beauty, but also survival whether it be a sexy camouflage within nature or layered throw reminiscent of armor. This was distinctly echoed in her chosen color palette.

Beginning with a subtle nod to Elizabeth I and Isolde, Sui proceeded to introduce us to modern-day "queens" expressing themselves in Native American-inspired dresses for day and Mod with a touch of Bohemian-Hippie glamour for night where the flow of the clothes, playful headbands and unique color and fabric combinations projected a modern girl with a nostalgic eye for the fervent lineage of women who had gone before her.
Her clothes felt like a perfect forecast for fall with their earthy, rich hues, warm textures and breezy elegance.

Sui, who also designs her own shoes, showed buckled heels and leather boots complimented by fun print tights that were bold statements themselves.

All in all, Sui was again able to continue her homage to the past with her vision of the now. While this line seems softer than previous collections, Sui continues to explore the definition of femininity. Her expressive line captures the power and energy of a woman of great influence and strength, but still reminds us that she can be sexy, worldly, quirky and lots of fun all at the same time.

Learn more about this author, Eric McKeever.
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