The World of Anna Sui
A first-ever retrospective of an American fashion designer to be held in the UK.
See current exhibitions
A first-ever retrospective of an American fashion designer to be held in the UK.
See current exhibitionsWith over 125 full looks, The World of Anna Sui explores the glamorous and eclectic world of one of New York’s most beloved and accomplished designers. Since her first catwalk show in 1991, Sui has become known for creating fabulously original clothing inspired by spectacular amounts of research into vintage fashion and popular culture.
The exhibition ranges from early looks – such as the exuberant Carnaby Street, schoolgirl outfits worn by supermodels Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell in the first runway show in 1991, to the cowboys and cheerleaders modelled by Gigi and Bella Hadid during the recent Spring/Summer 2017 Americana-themed collection.
Sui joined New York’s cultural underground at an intensely creative time, forming important relationships in the worlds of fashion, photography, art, music and design. The exhibition looks at Sui’s artistic journey through her creative process, collections, interiors, and collaborations.
Thematically arranged, the exhibition explores Anna Sui’s lifelong engagement with a dizzying array of ‘archetypes’ including the rock star, the schoolgirl, the punk, nomads, and surfers – motifs that are featured in all her work. From fairy tales and fables to Victoriana, Sui researches her current cultural obsessions in minute detail to create a different story with each collection.
This exhibition is available for hire. You can learn more about the museum’s touring exhibitions programme and contact us for further information.
Mint Museum, Charlotte, USA
20 November 2021 – 1 May 2022
NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale, USA
28 February – 3 October 2021
Modern Art Museum, Shanghai, China
6 June – 30 August 2020
Museum of Arts and Design, New York City, USA
12 September 2019 – 23 February 2020
TV Asahi, Tokyo, Japan
14 July – 19 August 2018
The Fashion and Textile Museum operates in line with all government guidance in relation to COVID-19. We regularly review our procedures and practices to ensure the safety and well-being of our visitors and staff. If you are displaying COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive, please do not visit.
In place of a permanent display, the Fashion and Textile Museum hosts a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions, displaying a broad range of innovative fashion and textiles from designers and makers around the world.
On arrival: Please ensure you arrive within 20 minutes of your chosen entry time. Upon entry, please present your ticket(s) on your device or a note of your booking reference number.
Eating and drinking: No food or drink is permitted in the Museum, other than bottled water. The Fashion and Textile Museum is located in the heart of fashionable Bermondsey Street, surrounded by award-winning restaurants, cafes and pubs. So if you would like to enjoy a meal or a drink before or after your session, check out what’s on offer.
For more information, check out our plan your visit page or our FAQs.
We are currently updating our online payment systems and you will not be able to book tickets online until further notice.
Please call the Museum on 020 7407 8664 or email fashiontextilemuseum@newham.ac.uk (including a contact number), Monday to Friday 10.00 to 16.00 to book your tickets or buy products from the online shop.
We are working hard to resolve this issue and apologise for the inconvenience caused.