Anna Sui

'The Victoria and Albert Museum has long been my favourite museum in the world and requires a visit every time I’m in London. So much of my design process involves research into the periods represented at the V&A.'
Anna Sui

Sui’s Spring 2000 'Rococo Gypsy' collection was inspired by the 18th century, a time when women were first empowered with theories of liberation and fashion was at its frilliest and most embellished.

Sui’s prints were taken partly from the V&A’s collections of 18th-century Indian palampores, Chinese export silks and Liberty of London paisleys, coloured in the palette of Boucher, Fragonard and Liotard. Her garments borrow the pleats, ruffles, ruching, scallops, embroideries and laces of the Rococo period. They are mixed with a little Jimi Hendrix and Brian Jones for rock star cool and styled with the street fashion of decorated denim.