Whatever the current trends, count on Anna Sui to find the appropriate soundtrack. This season, it was the Ramones from beginning to end, providing a high-energy backdrop for her punchy spring collection.
Sui started out with kicky plaid pleated minis; hip-length, boxy, tight trousers trimmed in bright ribbon; and Carnaby Street-inspired striped shirts. She quickly moved out of the dance club and into the country club with a series of dresses, skirts, tops and jackets inspired by organized sports: piqué golf skirts embroidered with frogs, short white tennis dresses that mixed athletic mesh and lace, football jerseys shrunk for a more feminine fit, cropped baseball jackets, prepped-out sweaters and fuzzy cardigans. From there, she went fragile (though Blitzkrieg Bop continued to pound out of the speakers), closing the show with a series of lacy, neon-bright baby-doll dresses worn with clunky Frye boots. There were some cute, compelling pieces mixed into the outfits, like a ruffled floral windbreaker and some short silk floral dresses. But Sui's ability to translate street trends into great items was not as much in evidence as it has been in past seasons.
